What do you think?
Rate this book
The '45: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising
Could the Stuart dynasty have been restored to the throne in 1745? Written by the world's greatest authority on 18th century warfare, this fast-paced and exciting narrative will completely revise popular opinion about "Bonnie Prince" Charlie, the Duke of Cumberland ("the Butcher"), and the other major players in this historical drama. Christopher Duffy's original research, from all available archives, reveals evidence of a wider plot against the Hanoverians and more support for the risings in Scotland, than had been suspected before. Filled with numerous maps and a comprehensive guide to the key sites, it provides an eye-opening perspective.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2003
6 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Duffy
47 books36 followersChristopher Duffy (born 1936) is a British military historian. Duffy read history at Balliol College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1961 with the PhD. Afterwards, he taught military history at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the college of the British General Staff. He was secretary-general of the British Commission for Military History and vice-president of the History Society of Ireland. From 1996 to 2001, he was research professor at the De Montfort University, Leicester. Today he lives and works as a freelance author.
Duffy's special interest is the military history of the European modern age, in particular the history of the German, Prussian and Austrian armed forces. He is most famous for his writings about the Seven Years' War and especially Frederick the Great, which he called self-ironically "a product of the centuries-old British obsession with that most un-British of creatures". Duffy is fluent in six languages and has published some twenty books about military history topics, whereof several were translated into German.
Duffy's special interest is the military history of the European modern age, in particular the history of the German, Prussian and Austrian armed forces. He is most famous for his writings about the Seven Years' War and especially Frederick the Great, which he called self-ironically "a product of the centuries-old British obsession with that most un-British of creatures". Duffy is fluent in six languages and has published some twenty books about military history topics, whereof several were translated into German.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 13, 2017
Can I give it six stars? Duffy's work is superb, exhaustive, and fair, which is a lot from me. Until reading this I found Duffy's work good but a bit overrated. Here though he provides not just a detailed campaign study, but also a glimpse into a Britain wracked by corruption and division. It goes a long way to explaining not why Charles lost but how he made it to Derby in the first place.
This book is also one of the most positive takes on Charles as military commander, explaining the attraction of Jacobite ideas with Charles representing a turn away from the conservative absolutism of his forefathers. It can be a bit of a reach, but Duffy is persuasive. Murray is blasted here perhaps unfairly. He comes across as a good tactician but a poor strategist and very argumentative. The Hanoverians are described as military mediocrities who suppressed the revolt with extremely violent measures. Duffy doubts these were needed, and more to the point argues that smoldering bitterness after 1745 bore bitter fruit with the growth of republicanism and the American Revolution.
Lastly, this is the best account of the Jacobite army, its strengths and weaknesses. The book weakens the myth of the doomed Highlander but destroys the myth of the army as a vast mob that won through luck instead of skill. The army was clearly capable of hard marches that were were unheard of until Napoleon.
This book is also one of the most positive takes on Charles as military commander, explaining the attraction of Jacobite ideas with Charles representing a turn away from the conservative absolutism of his forefathers. It can be a bit of a reach, but Duffy is persuasive. Murray is blasted here perhaps unfairly. He comes across as a good tactician but a poor strategist and very argumentative. The Hanoverians are described as military mediocrities who suppressed the revolt with extremely violent measures. Duffy doubts these were needed, and more to the point argues that smoldering bitterness after 1745 bore bitter fruit with the growth of republicanism and the American Revolution.
Lastly, this is the best account of the Jacobite army, its strengths and weaknesses. The book weakens the myth of the doomed Highlander but destroys the myth of the army as a vast mob that won through luck instead of skill. The army was clearly capable of hard marches that were were unheard of until Napoleon.
March 19, 2016
This is a complete history of the 1745 Jacobite rising in Scotland and England that attempted to restore the Stuarts to the throne before being defeated at Culloden. Lots of great maps. I was inspired to reading it by my viewing of the TV show "Outlander," and my rereading of Diana Gabaldon's novels.
May 19, 2023
This is the best book I have ever read about the 1745-46 civil war in which the Stuart family tried to recover the throne of “Great Britain” from the usurping German dynasty that still (November 2020) occupies it. In reality, of course, all kings are usurpers. Every monarchy began as a protection racket and no king has any more legitimacy than Al Capone.
Many accounts of the ‘45 make a point of trying to correct the sentimental excesses that have bedevilled so many tellings of the story.. The excision of romantic fantasy from history is always to be encouraged but ...how can I say this … much of the story is irretrievably romantic. Mr Duffy emphatically reminds us, however, that those genuine romantic elements are not the whole story. We must also take note of treachery, betrayal, execution by public torture, prisoners murdered or sold into slavery, an attempt to stamp out an ancient culture and other endearingly human traits. And, of course, Bonnie Prince Charlie wouldn’t have been a real Stuart unless, from time to time, he left his devoted followers in the lurch. Still, he was smart, brave and resourceful. If his command group had not been so divided, if he hadn’t been relying on the French and if he had had just a bit more luck he would have won. He deserved to. But then, Collingwood deserved to win the 2018 Grand Final and that’s another hard luck story.
The author of this book knows so much about 18th Century warfare that I was afraid the work would turn into a series of arid academic arguments. How wrong I was. He not only knows the relevance of weather, geology, drill, smuggling, agriculture and religion but he writes interestingly about them in the context of war.
History without anecdotes is like fish and chips without salt and Mr Duffy includes an appropriate seasoning. To give just a couple of examples:
“The MacDonalds of Glencoe insisted on mounting a guard to protect a mansion …(that) was the property of the Earl of Stair … whose grandfather …(had been) the author of the massacre of Glencoe in 1692.”
“... an old woman remained in a house … where some (Jacobite) officers were quartered. After they had supped, she said to them, “Gentlemen, I suppose you have done with your murdering today, I should be glad to know when the ravishing begins.”
That last story indicates one of the myths current at the time - that the Highlanders who formed part of the Jacobite army were all unprincipled barbarians not fit for decent society. It is part of the author’s rationale for writing the book that the myths perpetuated by both sides persist to this day. Duffy writes: “To test this claim I have made a point of asking professional historians at random about their impression of the Jacobite forces.With slight variations in wording, the answer has invariably been: “thieving Catholic Highland bastards”.
The book points out that one factor working against the Jacobites was England’s savage penal code, designed to protect the property of the rich, which had effectively disarmed a segment of the population from whom the Stuarts had reason to expect support. And I had not realised how much potential and actual help for the Jacobite cause came from smugglers, one of the few categories of Englishmen “who had firearms and were willing to use them.” They were “capable of bringing together 500 armed men at short notice”.If you’re interested in history at all you really should read The ‘45. It flows like a novel and I don’t think you’ll ever find a better treatment of this fascinating episode.
Many accounts of the ‘45 make a point of trying to correct the sentimental excesses that have bedevilled so many tellings of the story.. The excision of romantic fantasy from history is always to be encouraged but ...how can I say this … much of the story is irretrievably romantic. Mr Duffy emphatically reminds us, however, that those genuine romantic elements are not the whole story. We must also take note of treachery, betrayal, execution by public torture, prisoners murdered or sold into slavery, an attempt to stamp out an ancient culture and other endearingly human traits. And, of course, Bonnie Prince Charlie wouldn’t have been a real Stuart unless, from time to time, he left his devoted followers in the lurch. Still, he was smart, brave and resourceful. If his command group had not been so divided, if he hadn’t been relying on the French and if he had had just a bit more luck he would have won. He deserved to. But then, Collingwood deserved to win the 2018 Grand Final and that’s another hard luck story.
The author of this book knows so much about 18th Century warfare that I was afraid the work would turn into a series of arid academic arguments. How wrong I was. He not only knows the relevance of weather, geology, drill, smuggling, agriculture and religion but he writes interestingly about them in the context of war.
History without anecdotes is like fish and chips without salt and Mr Duffy includes an appropriate seasoning. To give just a couple of examples:
“The MacDonalds of Glencoe insisted on mounting a guard to protect a mansion …(that) was the property of the Earl of Stair … whose grandfather …(had been) the author of the massacre of Glencoe in 1692.”
“... an old woman remained in a house … where some (Jacobite) officers were quartered. After they had supped, she said to them, “Gentlemen, I suppose you have done with your murdering today, I should be glad to know when the ravishing begins.”
That last story indicates one of the myths current at the time - that the Highlanders who formed part of the Jacobite army were all unprincipled barbarians not fit for decent society. It is part of the author’s rationale for writing the book that the myths perpetuated by both sides persist to this day. Duffy writes: “To test this claim I have made a point of asking professional historians at random about their impression of the Jacobite forces.With slight variations in wording, the answer has invariably been: “thieving Catholic Highland bastards”.
The book points out that one factor working against the Jacobites was England’s savage penal code, designed to protect the property of the rich, which had effectively disarmed a segment of the population from whom the Stuarts had reason to expect support. And I had not realised how much potential and actual help for the Jacobite cause came from smugglers, one of the few categories of Englishmen “who had firearms and were willing to use them.” They were “capable of bringing together 500 armed men at short notice”.If you’re interested in history at all you really should read The ‘45. It flows like a novel and I don’t think you’ll ever find a better treatment of this fascinating episode.
June 28, 2023
If you want a comprehensive history of the 1745 Jacobite rising then this is it. Christopher Duffy’s in depth account of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to seize back the british throne takes us through all the background and divisions in British politics at the time and then takes the reader through every step of the campaign through both the rising’s initial dramatic successes and its’ dramatic downfall at Culloden as well as the aftermath of repression. And while the body of the book is devoted to the campaign there is plenty of explaining throughout the book of social and political divisions upon which the Jacobites were relying to ensure support, sometimes in what would now be unexpected places, as they went. This was not just a romantic group of tartan clad bagpipe playing highlanders marching south with no hope of success.
The cover of the book promises ‘the untold story of the Jacobite Rising’. I am not certain exactly what this refers to but there are plenty of elements that are to various extents untold or not very well known. The well known story just follows Charlie and the highlanders he lead, but there are other elements that are important - e.g. the chances of risings in England, and the conflict in Scotland once the main army had marched into England. Other often unexplored elements include the campaigning between turning back from Derby and the battle of Culloden and the possibilities for French assistance.
I particularly liked that the route of the campaign and the battles were nice and clear (and well illustrated with maps) and that the different elements are considered; logistics, how sea power feeds into the rebellion, how the weather affects things. But also that the different options are explored; did Charlie have to turn back at Derby? Did he have a chance after this point? Could a French invasion of England through Kent have succeeded?
Very little on the negative side. Perhaps my only minor criticism is that more could have been made of the political/social side - particularly in the aftermath which is all dealt with very quickly. However Duffy is a military historian so this is to be expected.
I would definitely recommend The ‘45 to anyone who wants to understand the rising, why it was important, and why it failed. It is however not a biography of the Bonnie Prince himself - he is the primary actor in this book but there are many others in the rising who are given almost as high billing, so if you are looking for something focused on Charlie this is probably not going to be your best choice. But for most if you want a detailed book about the rising then this is one to go for.
The cover of the book promises ‘the untold story of the Jacobite Rising’. I am not certain exactly what this refers to but there are plenty of elements that are to various extents untold or not very well known. The well known story just follows Charlie and the highlanders he lead, but there are other elements that are important - e.g. the chances of risings in England, and the conflict in Scotland once the main army had marched into England. Other often unexplored elements include the campaigning between turning back from Derby and the battle of Culloden and the possibilities for French assistance.
I particularly liked that the route of the campaign and the battles were nice and clear (and well illustrated with maps) and that the different elements are considered; logistics, how sea power feeds into the rebellion, how the weather affects things. But also that the different options are explored; did Charlie have to turn back at Derby? Did he have a chance after this point? Could a French invasion of England through Kent have succeeded?
Very little on the negative side. Perhaps my only minor criticism is that more could have been made of the political/social side - particularly in the aftermath which is all dealt with very quickly. However Duffy is a military historian so this is to be expected.
I would definitely recommend The ‘45 to anyone who wants to understand the rising, why it was important, and why it failed. It is however not a biography of the Bonnie Prince himself - he is the primary actor in this book but there are many others in the rising who are given almost as high billing, so if you are looking for something focused on Charlie this is probably not going to be your best choice. But for most if you want a detailed book about the rising then this is one to go for.
August 23, 2024
Follow the paths the Scottish forces walked, the British troops and calvary marched, marked on the many maps throughout the book also noting of the roads built during prior rebellions.
I've been brought onto the roads, into the towns, a fly on the wall listening to strategy sessions.
The clan leaders were clever and their army of clansmen and recruits (not all willingly) were a capable match to the British (having recruited clansmen as well).
The last chapters for me were gripping, following the map, putting myself among them.
I know the outcome but I'm at the edge of my seat to understand, wanting to know if they fought well or thinking themselves better than they were.
Please read.
Honor these men and their families with your attention to their efforts and what they were fighting for.
Feel the strength of their bodies traversing the cairgnorm and around, and back again.
Those that survived, would endure the gradual death of their society, language, culture and tradition.
***I highly recommend this book***
I've been brought onto the roads, into the towns, a fly on the wall listening to strategy sessions.
The clan leaders were clever and their army of clansmen and recruits (not all willingly) were a capable match to the British (having recruited clansmen as well).
The last chapters for me were gripping, following the map, putting myself among them.
I know the outcome but I'm at the edge of my seat to understand, wanting to know if they fought well or thinking themselves better than they were.
Please read.
Honor these men and their families with your attention to their efforts and what they were fighting for.
Feel the strength of their bodies traversing the cairgnorm and around, and back again.
Those that survived, would endure the gradual death of their society, language, culture and tradition.
***I highly recommend this book***
December 9, 2019
A concise, although at times, somewhat biased history of the Jacobite rebellions and particularly of that in 1745-46 led by Charles Edward Stuart. I found the book well-researched and personally invaluable for my purposes as a writer. This was by far the most informative and deep source on the fascinating subject I've been able to put my hands on.
Why 4 stars in stead of 5? The trivial bias was easy to get past, but the general layout of the book had me skipping back and forth throughout the chapters to stay on topic...it was more inconvenient than anything else. Otherwise, this book as source material was a treasure trove of information.
Why 4 stars in stead of 5? The trivial bias was easy to get past, but the general layout of the book had me skipping back and forth throughout the chapters to stay on topic...it was more inconvenient than anything else. Otherwise, this book as source material was a treasure trove of information.
August 5, 2023
It has been quite some time since I have read a book on history as good as this. This is the first of Mr Duffy's books I have read, I certainly will not be the last. Very well written, plenty of well done maps, and a good amount of added information in the appendices. Being a wargamer I found the Orders of Battle and the short blurbs on each unit in the Jacobite army particularly helpful. I knew little to nothing about The '45, other than it was some sort of Scottish uprising that ended at Culloden, wow, it was so much more than that. I am really at a loss for words to describe how good this is, you have to read it for yourself.
May 15, 2024
An incredibly detailed day-to-day account of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1775. It's almost an hour-to-hour account. If you have interest in this kind of history and this part of the world, it's a good read.
May 4, 2016
Superb account of the jacobite rising which brings a new perspective on the jacobite command
Bonnie prince charlie comes across as a c0mpetent leader outvoted by scottish grandees into
poor decisions
Retreating from Derby when it was a very close run thing .. they had outrun the government forces and could have made it into london
Then retreating to the highlands when cumberland came North sealed their fate
Excellent military detail of all the battles
A winner from Duffy.
Bonnie prince charlie comes across as a c0mpetent leader outvoted by scottish grandees into
poor decisions
Retreating from Derby when it was a very close run thing .. they had outrun the government forces and could have made it into london
Then retreating to the highlands when cumberland came North sealed their fate
Excellent military detail of all the battles
A winner from Duffy.
January 5, 2013
Brought history to life for me. I found it hard to put down
September 19, 2013
As an avid fan of the Jacobite story I found this book to be an excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews