Jacobite Spy Wars: Moles, Rogues and Treachery

by Hugh Douglas

The Jacobite story was one of history's longest-running spy sagas. Adherents of the exiled branch of the house of Stuart after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the Jacobites sought the restoration of James II. In Jacobite Spy Wars, Douglas untangles the details of this complicated intelligence war that involved people from Sussex smugglers to Highland clansmen. Across Europe moles dug for secrets at every court -- kings, ambassadors, soldiers, cardinals, and royal mistresses all participated. Douglas exposes the intricacies of this war, the incredible range of its influence, and the defeating consequences.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Scotland, European History

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Ben Bergonzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex story of the layers of deception and betrayal that surrounded the Jacobite movement from the 1690s to the 1750s. It's surprising they did as well as they did, given how hopelessly compromised they were by undetected Hanoverian spies, some very highly placed, like 'Pickle' (Alasdair Ruadh Macdonnel of Glengarry). Prince Charles Edward's attempts to claim the throne of Britain continued up to the Seven Years' War, but became increasingly delusional. He had all the Stuart arrogance that lost his great grandfather the Civil War, and his head. The book is very well-researched and informative, for example on Charles' secret visit to London in 1750 and his later life as a wealthy fugitive in France with his mistresses. A man of great charm, charisma but obviously infuriating, assuming deep loyalty from all his followers and giving nothing in return.

[Fred Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of this book was interesting, and I learned a lot, but I found it a difficult read, so it took longer to finish it than expected. Part of it is that I was unfamiliar with this part of English history and the players involved, but part of it was the writing. The author would quote French without providing a translation (I don't speak French), and would quote writings as they were originally written, again without translation. It was also difficult to follow who the players were because the author used different names for the same people. A separate list of all the important people with a short summary would have been helpful.