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Stand and Deliver!: A History Of Highway Robbery
Why is the highwayman largely perceived as a romantic, glamorous and gallant figure? How is it that men who were really nothing more than bandits, who were often gratuitously violent, sometimes murderers and rapists as well, have become the swashbuckling heroes of history? To put their roles in context, the book probes into the economic, social and technological factors that at certain times made highway robbery highly lucrative and which help to explain why some of its exponents eventually disappeared from the scene. Finally, the legacy of the highwaymen on pub signs, in films and in fiction is discussed. Informative, stimulating and entertaining, from the pen of a true enthusiast, this book will appeal to anyone interested in the dramatic, murky underworld of history.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 8, 2016
The highwayman, with his pistol and his tricorn hat, has passed into legend as a romantic rebel, but Brandon explodes the myths - holds them up and robs them of their glory; they were murdering, rapist scumbags. Yet it is hard not to get caught up in the tall tales of derring do. Even when exposed they drew massive crowds to their executions. They were nascent rock stars, especially Jack Sheppard (a babe magnet who seems to have been much more adept at escaping than robbing); he would not have been out of place in the Stones at their peak. The Lawmen are given short shrift here too, for the world Brandon depicts is one of untrammeled bastardry. A surprisingly erudite, if somewhat repetitive, tome.
January 5, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this book (I'd probably never have heard of it if it hadn't been for the book club) and learned a lot. While it's hard to determine what information about highwaymen is fact and what is myth (due to the oral history tradition and lack of adequate written records), this book addressed the issue of source reliability and painted a fair picture of the villains of yore. I was also pleased that the social, economic, and political context of the heyday of the highwaymen was provided. It's often hard to understand a culture that is far removed from the one in which you are a part.
It's worth noting that the book isn't all that impressive as an academic text. There is a short bibliography, but most sources are not cited and often not even identified. It's difficult to tell what is hearsay and what might be reliable. This didn't particularly detract from my reading experience, but I did notice and if I was a historian, I'd probably have been annoyed.
Overall, this was more like a collection of amusing (and sometimes disturbing) vignettes than a cohesive and comprehensive history of highway robbery. It was an entertaining read, though!
It's worth noting that the book isn't all that impressive as an academic text. There is a short bibliography, but most sources are not cited and often not even identified. It's difficult to tell what is hearsay and what might be reliable. This didn't particularly detract from my reading experience, but I did notice and if I was a historian, I'd probably have been annoyed.
Overall, this was more like a collection of amusing (and sometimes disturbing) vignettes than a cohesive and comprehensive history of highway robbery. It was an entertaining read, though!
September 9, 2012
"I'm the dandy highwayman who you're too scared to mention
I spend my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention"
Aside from making me sing the above very time I picked this up (and ignoring the fact that my own fascination with highwaymen has a little more to do with Adam Ant than I'd care to admit) this was a mad dash through the history of the rogues and rakes that robbed many a traveller and who, despite being thieves and often worse, grabbed spots as some of the nation's favourite anti-heroes.
Taking a look at the social conditions which led to such crimes flourishing, as well as their appeal to the population at large (who could resist a fellow who stuck it to The Man, so often and with such style?) this attempted to debunk some of the myths and ideas we associate with such men while acknowledging how hard it is to separate fact from fiction.
While I would have liked a little more details at times this was a fun, informative read, though not as fun as learning via Horrible Histories instead: Dick Turpin
I spend my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention"
Aside from making me sing the above very time I picked this up (and ignoring the fact that my own fascination with highwaymen has a little more to do with Adam Ant than I'd care to admit) this was a mad dash through the history of the rogues and rakes that robbed many a traveller and who, despite being thieves and often worse, grabbed spots as some of the nation's favourite anti-heroes.
Taking a look at the social conditions which led to such crimes flourishing, as well as their appeal to the population at large (who could resist a fellow who stuck it to The Man, so often and with such style?) this attempted to debunk some of the myths and ideas we associate with such men while acknowledging how hard it is to separate fact from fiction.
While I would have liked a little more details at times this was a fun, informative read, though not as fun as learning via Horrible Histories instead: Dick Turpin
September 18, 2011
This is a fascinating little book that not only tells the stories of various highwaymen, both notorious and obscure, but also examines the social history of crime in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Chapters are devoted to the more famous figures such as Claude Duval, Jack Sheppard and Dick Turpin, but Brandon does his best to explode widely-held misconceptions and popular legends. The topic is perhaps a little vast considering the long time frame in which highwaymen can be said to have operated but the book is written in a lively and enjoyable style, and makes the subject matter highly engaging. Brandon seems more at ease discussing the history of crime, but the book as a whole is an interesting read.
March 3, 2023
A very good little companion that gives a nice overview to the Highwayman and women that plagued the roads of England for quite a few centuries - ranging from nefarious to charming - if ever you could be charmed by someone stealing your property...
Gives good accounts of multiple highwayman/ women. Their activities, the systems in place to catch, punish and most likely hang. How the criminal underworld worked and the state of the country at the peeks of these gentleman robbers.
A lot of detail which are great to quickly go back to for reference if required.
Gives good accounts of multiple highwayman/ women. Their activities, the systems in place to catch, punish and most likely hang. How the criminal underworld worked and the state of the country at the peeks of these gentleman robbers.
A lot of detail which are great to quickly go back to for reference if required.
December 7, 2025
Wonderfully weird historical topic. Not to dry, either
August 23, 2010
There was a time...the eighties I think...when Highway men were everywhere..if It wasn't Adam ant and his 'dandy' take on these lovable rogues..it was Richard O'Sullivan's prime time dramatic take on Dick Turpin..lets not forget other notables such as 'Carry on Dick' and 'Plunkett and Maclean'.
For whatever reason Highwaymen(and women) have their place in numerous ballads and pieces of literature through the centuries and the mythology surrounding them is interesting,The author of this book tries to dispel the 'Gentleman thief' kind of vibe but ultimately reinforces some myths as he acknowledges it's difficult to seperate fact from fiction..and anyhow when the mythology is good print the lie.
Unreseverdly an enjoyable book and one which looks at a very British style of criminality.
For whatever reason Highwaymen(and women) have their place in numerous ballads and pieces of literature through the centuries and the mythology surrounding them is interesting,The author of this book tries to dispel the 'Gentleman thief' kind of vibe but ultimately reinforces some myths as he acknowledges it's difficult to seperate fact from fiction..and anyhow when the mythology is good print the lie.
Unreseverdly an enjoyable book and one which looks at a very British style of criminality.
May 22, 2009
Rinabeana's review of this book is spot on. On the plus side, it's written in a very readable manner, and it's quite entertaining to go through and look at all the myths and legends surrounding highwaymen. Brandon draws in plenty of sources and covers a fair amount of ground. This is a book written for the 'guy on the street'. On the negative side, his referencing system is poor and his book is less in-depth than others on the subject.
January 24, 2015
The reason I give this a 4 instead of a paltry 3 stars is the repeated use of the phrase "cocking his snook."
August 31, 2019
'A book with a criminal character (i.e. assassin, pirate, thief, robber, scoundrel etc)'
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews