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Culloden

Scotland's Last Battle and the Forging of the British Empire

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Culloden

By: Trevor Royle
Narrated by: Tim Bruce
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About this listen

The Battle of Culloden in 1746 has gone down in history as the last major battle fought on British soil: a vicious confrontation between the English Royal Army and the Scottish forces supporting the Stuart claim to the throne. But this wasn't just a conflict between the Scots and the English: The battle was also part of a much larger campaign to protect the British Isles from the growing threat of a French invasion.

In Trevor Royle's vivid and evocative narrative, we are drawn into the ranks, on both sides, alongside doomed Jacobites fighting fellow Scots dressed in the red coats of the Duke of Cumberland's Royal Army. And we meet the Duke himself, a skilled warrior who would gain notoriety because of the reprisals on Highland clans in the battle's aftermath. Royle also takes us beyond the battle as the men of the Royal Army, galvanized by its success at Culloden, expand dramatically and start to fight campaigns overseas in America and India in order to secure British interests. We see the revolutionary use of fighting techniques first implemented at Culloden, and we see the creation of professional fighting forces.

©2016 Trevor Royle (P)2017 Tantor
18th Century Europe Great Britain Military Modern England Scotland United Kingdom Highlander Royalty Imperialism War Royal Navy British Empire

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Critic reviews

"Brilliant and engaging, Royle places Culloden and its aftermath into its true military and social context. The narrative is alive with a passion for the subject." ( Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant
A diligently researched book , narrated flawlessly, keeping the listener constantly engaged.
would highly recommend.

Epic

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To be honest, you could probably swap Dettingen for Culloden, both would still have precious little to do with the story, which is a fair summary with interesting features, of the activities of the British army in the second half of the eighteenth century.
I was informed but not particularly entertained and unfortunately, the narrator has too light and soft a voice and too much a tendency towards effecting an excellent French accent, I missed details as I couldn't hear or pick up properly from the voice and / or accent.
A bit of a disappointment really, a better title and narrator would perhaps merit a much better review.

Mistitled, but interesting... if not actually entertaining.

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If only the Jacobites had not listened to Murray! Who knows how this would have ended up? Good read and excellent historical content.

A good insight into the personalities of the Day.

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It’s an interesting bit of research of lots and lots of people who had direct and indirect relations to the battle at Culloden. Of itself that is interesting to learn, but if you are wanting a detailed treatise of the battle, pick another title.

It is well read and presented.

A brief history of Culloden, a long history of the characters.

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If you are looking for a history of Culloden then this book will disappoint. It is largely focused on the careers of Cumberland's officer cadre after the battle; with only a cursory mention of the battle itself in the opening chapters. It's a good book, well read, it just doesn't really live up to it's billing.

Should be titled: 'After Culloden'

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