Tales of a Grandfather

There were moments when I thought I might never finish this book. It's a dense and detailed account of Scottish history, battle by battle. And it seems at times that Scottish history comprises nothing but battles. The Scots, especially the Highlanders, were always fighting. They fought the English. When there were no English to fight, they fought each other. And occasionally, when they ran out of people to fight, they'd head across the North Sea and enlist in Continental armies so that they could keep on fighting. Somebody. Anybody. Terry Pratchett's Nac Mac Feegles kept springing to mind, and I realized how devastatingly on target the late, great Sir Terry's affectionate parody actually was.

To be honest, I'm not sure who this book appeals to, even after having read it myself. It is far too dense for anybody with just a casual interest in Scottish history, and its age and apparently loose connection with facts (according to some Scott relied too much on anecdote and folklore) likely make it of only historical or passing interest to the serious reader. Perhaps the reader of military history is most likely to gain something here - the rich and detailed descriptions of the defining battles are a resource that could be turned to again and again.

But for all its shortcomings, the book stands as a mighty testament to Sir Walter Scott's incredible storytelling talent. Rich, detailed, dramatic, and sometimes even exciting, there is an awful lot here to balance up the ledger. For those who tackle it on its own terms, Tales Of A Grandfather is a rewarding investment in time, and an epic tale of an extraordinary people.