In Freedom's Cause

A Story of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce

By: George Alfred Henty

Narrated by: Jim Hodges

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Bring history back to life through Jim Hodges' historically accurate, exciting, and edifying audio recordings.

Liberty or death - this was the choice the people of 14th-century Scotland faced if they rose up against their English ruler. Most would say it was no choice at all. Many of the Scottish nobles were English supporters. Few could be expected to rise up against the numerically overwhelming English army. The hero of the story, Archibald Forbes, joins the struggle for Scottish freedom led by the valiant Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of these men rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry. Henty weaves a wonderful story around the actual events of 1314 at Bannockburn.

The Henty Historical Novel Collection, written by George Henty in the 1800s, covers many time periods in history throughout the world. In this collection, you will learn history, geography, and vocabulary while also discovering hero characters for your children to emulate.

Public Domain (P)2004 Jim Hodges Productions

excellent and accurate story of Wallace and Bruce

the story is old, written over 100 years ago and the historical elements took place many hundreds of years before that.
the history is accurate and the fiction feels real, as it was written by a noted historian. The reader is less than perfect, it sound like your uncle is reading the book instead of the protagonist or even a profesional story teller, but don't think it's too distracting.
if you'd like to learn more about the events that surrounded the character of Braveheart (William Wallace), or the war of the many against the few, I'd highly recommend it.
ps. the stone of scone that is mentioned in the story was recently recovered by Scotland and has helped them make great strides in the battle to becomes an independent nation.

Great story, could use better reader.

This is an excellent historical fiction by a real historian, that really could use a reader who sounds more like Gerard Butler than Pewee Herman.

The book follows the fictional Sir Archibald Forbes on a detailed journey through the Scottish war of independence, as he meets, befriends, fights, and rescues any number or real historical figures and participates in the real historical events surrounding them.

The performance, however, is by an American who doesn't know how to pronounce a lot of Scottish names, and I think a lowland Scot accent would have added immensely to the atmosphere of the audiobook.

I can't finish it.

I was really wanting to listen to a book about William Wallace and then a book about Robert the Bruce. I was excited to find one about both. I only made 8t to Chapter 8. I have to agree with a previous reviewer and say that the narrator chosen was a horrible choice. He speaks well and clearly, but really does read it like an Uncle reading you a bed time story. It made it too cheesy. I rarely ask for refunds, but think I will on this one.

Great story, but unfortunately bad narration!

Ugh, this story was so engaging, but the narration was so poor! Occasionally it was so bad that I had to laugh out loud... the narrator has a Mr. Rogers quality that just makes him a very bad fit for the storyline. It's too bad a great British performer who can swing the Scottish and occasional Irish brogue couldn't have taken this on! I'm just glad this was was free of charge to listen to.

good story, but the player keeps cutting out.

good story, but the player keeps cutting out. follows the Henty outline and is a little predictable, but otherwise it's a good listen

Two boys listening

My 11 year old son said he likes the story because it's similar to the American revolution.A bunch of rag tag soldiers Defeat an unbeaten army.He said it is Especially amazing in the last chapter. My two sons really like the Reader.

Infantile

Singularly the most infantile narration since grammar school which merited a quick exit from listening.

Not the best story teller

Very good story though of the Scots escaping the English, and is very well worded

Excellent

I grew up listening to this book on tapes. I love this book! It is what got me into audio books! Highly recommend!

Narrator's pronunciation

Many place names were mispronounced. However eg Quay- not qway but key is unforgivable!

Laughable pronunciation

I give the narrator 1 point because he managed to at least pronounce Bruce and Wallace. His attempts at place names in particular were abysmal. I almost gave up completely when he mangled the pronunciation of the greatest battle in Scottish history.
As much as I love audiobooks, I really wish this one had stayed on the written page.

An excellent tale of Scotland fight for freedom

this was a great story, well narrated and providing the usual stories of daring deeds. I enjoyed it a lot.

americans

an american butchering scottish names and places, refering to us as scotch. absolutely horrid. would possibly be good if done by someone else or perhaps a scot?

No no no

Come on,
I need to hear the Scottish narrator ?
Had to turn off after the news round beeping and the American reading Scottish…
Wasted a credit in this…
1 minute and That was enough for me

sack the narrator

Gave up after 10 minutes, couldn't stand the mis pronunciation and monotone voice of the American narrator. can't really say much about the story.

horrible narrator

Terrible choice of narrator. can't pronounce a single name of Scottish town or Scottish name correct. totally destroys the story. keeps calling Scottish...Scotch....

Scots Wha Hae

Great telling of some of the tales at a critical time in Scotland’s History.

Jim Hodges is magnificent.

His Scottish people and place name pronunciation is awful! Still very enjoyable though!