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The Bravehearts Chronicles #1
The Forest Laird: A Tale Of William Wallace
In the pre-dawn hours of August 24, 1305 a.d., in London's Smithfield Prison, the outlaw William Wallace, who is to be executed at dawn, is visited by a Scottish priest who has come to hear his last Confession. So begins The Forest Laird, the first book in Jack Whyte's masterful new trilogy. Wallace's story leads us through his many lives—as an outlaw and a fugitive, a hero and a patriot, a rebel and a kingmaker. He is the first heroic figure from the Scottish Wars of Independence brought blazingly to life in Jack Whyte's new trilogy, the Guardians, and will be followed by his two compatriots Robert the Bruce, King of Scots; and Sir James Douglas, known as The Black Douglas. Their exploits and escapades, desperate struggles and medieval savagery, high ideals and fierce patriotism are the stuff of legends, and the soul and substance of these epic novels.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2010
115 people are currently reading
1810 people want to read
About the author
Jack Whyte
62 books772 followersJack Whyte is an author and writer born and raised in Scotland, but has been living in western Canada since 1967, and in Kelowna, British Columbia, since 1996.
Whyte's major work to date is the A Dream of Eagles series (as it is titled in Canada, but known as The Camulod Chronicles in the United States and elsewhere). This series of historical novels presents the tale of King Arthur set against the backdrop of Roman Britain. This retelling of the popular legend eschews the use of magic (as in T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone) to explain Arthur’s ascent to power and instead relies on the historical condition (with some artistic license) of post-Roman Britain to support the theory that Arthur was meant to counter the anarchy left by the Roman departure from Britain in 410 AD and the subsequent colonization and invasion of Britain by various peoples from Northwestern Europe, including the Saxons, Jutes, Franks, and Angles). Whyte incorporates both traditional Arthurian names, places and events (albeit in gaelic or Latin form) as well as the names of various historical figures that have been suggested as being the possible basis for the original King Arthur legend. The tacit implication is that Whyte's version of history is the true story that has become distorted over time to become the legend and stories of magic that we know today.
Jack Whyte served as the official bard of The Calgary Highlanders and performed several tracks of poetry and song on the 1990 recording by the Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Calgary Highlanders entitled Eighty Years of Glory: The Regimental Pipes, Drums and Bard of The Calgary Highlanders.
Whyte's major work to date is the A Dream of Eagles series (as it is titled in Canada, but known as The Camulod Chronicles in the United States and elsewhere). This series of historical novels presents the tale of King Arthur set against the backdrop of Roman Britain. This retelling of the popular legend eschews the use of magic (as in T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone) to explain Arthur’s ascent to power and instead relies on the historical condition (with some artistic license) of post-Roman Britain to support the theory that Arthur was meant to counter the anarchy left by the Roman departure from Britain in 410 AD and the subsequent colonization and invasion of Britain by various peoples from Northwestern Europe, including the Saxons, Jutes, Franks, and Angles). Whyte incorporates both traditional Arthurian names, places and events (albeit in gaelic or Latin form) as well as the names of various historical figures that have been suggested as being the possible basis for the original King Arthur legend. The tacit implication is that Whyte's version of history is the true story that has become distorted over time to become the legend and stories of magic that we know today.
Jack Whyte served as the official bard of The Calgary Highlanders and performed several tracks of poetry and song on the 1990 recording by the Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Calgary Highlanders entitled Eighty Years of Glory: The Regimental Pipes, Drums and Bard of The Calgary Highlanders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
November 4, 2025
I am presently within a couple of months of journeying to Scotland for the first time. As such, I wanted to use the time remaining until the trip to gain an understanding of Scottish history and to hopefully scratch the surface of Scottish culture. Why do Scots wear kilts with such pride? Why is their traditional highland dancing so evocative of grace obtained through hardship? How could haggis possibly be delicious?
Jack Whyte provides one such look into the foundations of the Scottish land and its people through his trilogy on the 13th Century’s Scottish War of Independence and its two main players: William Wallace and Robert Bruce. But The Forest Laird is probably more of a fictional history than it is a work of historical fiction. Its focus is on William Wallace but its timeline covers a period in the history of Wallace where there is virtually no record upon which the life of Wallace can begin to be known.
The novel is still entertaining. It echoes a personification of Robin Hood, of the same general era. It provides a narrative that strings together vague ideas about Wallace prior to his entering the spotlight of the First Scottish War of Independence.
The overall effect, however, could have been better if Jack Whyte was a better writer of human relationships and interactions. He tends to tell what happens as opposed to showing what’s happening with words. This makes for a dry story that kept me at arm's length all the way through.
From a larger picture, the book gives life to a fight for freedom from an overpowering and overbearing English king, Edward I. In doing so, the larger historical events of the time are brought into story as background. Thus, there is some value to The Forest Laird with respect to my intended goals. I suspect that the next two books by Whyte will be better conveyors of history. The Forest Laird ends right where the pen-and-parchment history of William Wallace begins.
Jack Whyte provides one such look into the foundations of the Scottish land and its people through his trilogy on the 13th Century’s Scottish War of Independence and its two main players: William Wallace and Robert Bruce. But The Forest Laird is probably more of a fictional history than it is a work of historical fiction. Its focus is on William Wallace but its timeline covers a period in the history of Wallace where there is virtually no record upon which the life of Wallace can begin to be known.
The novel is still entertaining. It echoes a personification of Robin Hood, of the same general era. It provides a narrative that strings together vague ideas about Wallace prior to his entering the spotlight of the First Scottish War of Independence.
The overall effect, however, could have been better if Jack Whyte was a better writer of human relationships and interactions. He tends to tell what happens as opposed to showing what’s happening with words. This makes for a dry story that kept me at arm's length all the way through.
From a larger picture, the book gives life to a fight for freedom from an overpowering and overbearing English king, Edward I. In doing so, the larger historical events of the time are brought into story as background. Thus, there is some value to The Forest Laird with respect to my intended goals. I suspect that the next two books by Whyte will be better conveyors of history. The Forest Laird ends right where the pen-and-parchment history of William Wallace begins.
March 23, 2019
Don't judge a book by its cover!
The cover of this book doesn't AT ALL match the content, imo. Although there are no bodices being ripped, this cover still reminds me of a bodice ripper book cover somehow. Even though the summary assures it's not that kind of book, and various reviews as well, and I knew I wanted to read the book, I still kept passing it over almost until my library loan was up -- because of the cover. And it's absolutely not that kind of book. Once I started reading it, I devoured it. It's fantastic.
It's a fabulous historical fiction about William Wallace of Scotland - the same William Wallace the Braveheart movie is about. As the author states in his preface, not much is known about Will Wallace's life, aside from the few years that he burst into national fame, fighting against the English atrocities against the common folk of Scotland, with his band of outlaws in Selkirk Forest. Despite this, the author presents a fictionalized backstory, starting from when Will Wallace was about 10, and his cousin, Father James, or Jamie Wallace, was about 8. It's a very engrossing read. The book is part of a trilogy, the second features Robert the Bruce, and the third, Andrew Murray.
This story opens with Will awaiting execution in a jail cell, the night before he's to die, then backs up immediately to his boyhead, and follows the evolution of Will and Jamie Wallace, boys, into the men known as William Wallace - the Wallace - and Father James. This part of the trilogy ends abruptly with Will's transformation into the fearsome William Wallace. He leaves Selkirk Forest, set to bring revenge and the fight to the English, instead of hanging back out of the fight. It seems as tho he's to join up with Andrew Murray in the north of Scotland - Selkirk Forest is in the south. But I'm not sure, because the next book is about Robert the Bruce, and not about Andrew Murray. Will have to wait and see .... I have the second book on hold at the library.
The cover of this book doesn't AT ALL match the content, imo. Although there are no bodices being ripped, this cover still reminds me of a bodice ripper book cover somehow. Even though the summary assures it's not that kind of book, and various reviews as well, and I knew I wanted to read the book, I still kept passing it over almost until my library loan was up -- because of the cover. And it's absolutely not that kind of book. Once I started reading it, I devoured it. It's fantastic.
It's a fabulous historical fiction about William Wallace of Scotland - the same William Wallace the Braveheart movie is about. As the author states in his preface, not much is known about Will Wallace's life, aside from the few years that he burst into national fame, fighting against the English atrocities against the common folk of Scotland, with his band of outlaws in Selkirk Forest. Despite this, the author presents a fictionalized backstory, starting from when Will Wallace was about 10, and his cousin, Father James, or Jamie Wallace, was about 8. It's a very engrossing read. The book is part of a trilogy, the second features Robert the Bruce, and the third, Andrew Murray.
This story opens with Will awaiting execution in a jail cell, the night before he's to die, then backs up immediately to his boyhead, and follows the evolution of Will and Jamie Wallace, boys, into the men known as William Wallace - the Wallace - and Father James. This part of the trilogy ends abruptly with Will's transformation into the fearsome William Wallace. He leaves Selkirk Forest, set to bring revenge and the fight to the English, instead of hanging back out of the fight. It seems as tho he's to join up with Andrew Murray in the north of Scotland - Selkirk Forest is in the south. But I'm not sure, because the next book is about Robert the Bruce, and not about Andrew Murray. Will have to wait and see .... I have the second book on hold at the library.
January 25, 2019
Several months ago I had the grave misfortune of thinking "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon was a good historical fiction/fanatsy. I didn't realize it was just soft-core porn (aka bodice-rippers) hiding behind a thin veneer of "historical accuracy". Eventually after fleeing the Scottish Highlands, chased by erect nipples and several raging phalluses, I fled to Jack Whyte's Guardian series and read about Robert the Bruce. It was excellent historical fiction and not a single purple-veined penis in sight.
"The Forest Laird" is actually the book that precedes "The Renegade". While the latter focuses on Robert the Bruce, this one is about William Wallace. It follows him from his youth all the way up to the death of his wife and family. It is wonderfully told and superbly done. Historically accurate and a great exciting tale.
One of the interesting things, mentioned by the author in the preface, is the fact that the Scotland of William Wallace is long gone. Walking through Scotland today is a vastly different situation from the Scotland of the late 1200's-early 1300's. Case in point is the ancient Selkirk forest. It covered the entire south eastern and most of the southern part of Scotland is almost completely gone, many of the abbeys and churches mentioned were often annihilated by King Edward I, not to mention 700 years of development have created a vastly different country than the divided Scotland of these times (divided by the Firth of Forth into a Northen and Southern Scotland).
Told through the eyes of Will's cousin, the Priest Jamie Wallace, it tells the story of murder and rape that started Will on his journey of hatred towards the English. It follows him through his Outlawry days in Selkirk Forest and covers his courtship and marriage to Mirren.
While the story is fun and exciting, there is a great deal of interesting background history-above and beyond the conflict between Edward and the Scots. We see the rise of the burgess class... a little historical background for you:
Until the 1300's the concept of a burgess class simply did not exist. But as Scottish merchants/freemen and traders clustered into the fortified burghs (for defense, often against Norse raiders) they began to do something that had not ever been done- they started forming guilds and trading associations. This led to them amassing wealth outside of the traditional feudal hierarchy. In time these burgess, bourgeois in French, would have a huge impact all over Europe. But we see their rise during this time. The interesting conversation between Father Jamie and the Bishop Wishart about this very thing is fascinating. Wishart was a very forward looking man, especially for a Churchman, and many of his ideas about the development of society were centuries ahead.
But this is a story about Wallace and his war against the English occupation of Scotland. Jack Whyte covers complex ideas and events in a way that makes it easy to read. It's never dull. I also give him credit in understanding the application of the English quarterstaff to the art of sword fighting, as well as his excellent knowledge about archery weapons of this time period.
A great and exciting read. If you are looking for a good book on the Scots and their struggles with England-this is a great place to start. An excellent series..and I promise, unlike Outlander, no nipples or purple-veined throbbing phalluses to worry about. This IS a real historical fiction. Well done Mr. Whyte!
"The Forest Laird" is actually the book that precedes "The Renegade". While the latter focuses on Robert the Bruce, this one is about William Wallace. It follows him from his youth all the way up to the death of his wife and family. It is wonderfully told and superbly done. Historically accurate and a great exciting tale.
One of the interesting things, mentioned by the author in the preface, is the fact that the Scotland of William Wallace is long gone. Walking through Scotland today is a vastly different situation from the Scotland of the late 1200's-early 1300's. Case in point is the ancient Selkirk forest. It covered the entire south eastern and most of the southern part of Scotland is almost completely gone, many of the abbeys and churches mentioned were often annihilated by King Edward I, not to mention 700 years of development have created a vastly different country than the divided Scotland of these times (divided by the Firth of Forth into a Northen and Southern Scotland).
Told through the eyes of Will's cousin, the Priest Jamie Wallace, it tells the story of murder and rape that started Will on his journey of hatred towards the English. It follows him through his Outlawry days in Selkirk Forest and covers his courtship and marriage to Mirren.
While the story is fun and exciting, there is a great deal of interesting background history-above and beyond the conflict between Edward and the Scots. We see the rise of the burgess class... a little historical background for you:
Until the 1300's the concept of a burgess class simply did not exist. But as Scottish merchants/freemen and traders clustered into the fortified burghs (for defense, often against Norse raiders) they began to do something that had not ever been done- they started forming guilds and trading associations. This led to them amassing wealth outside of the traditional feudal hierarchy. In time these burgess, bourgeois in French, would have a huge impact all over Europe. But we see their rise during this time. The interesting conversation between Father Jamie and the Bishop Wishart about this very thing is fascinating. Wishart was a very forward looking man, especially for a Churchman, and many of his ideas about the development of society were centuries ahead.
But this is a story about Wallace and his war against the English occupation of Scotland. Jack Whyte covers complex ideas and events in a way that makes it easy to read. It's never dull. I also give him credit in understanding the application of the English quarterstaff to the art of sword fighting, as well as his excellent knowledge about archery weapons of this time period.
A great and exciting read. If you are looking for a good book on the Scots and their struggles with England-this is a great place to start. An excellent series..and I promise, unlike Outlander, no nipples or purple-veined throbbing phalluses to worry about. This IS a real historical fiction. Well done Mr. Whyte!
September 21, 2024
Voto 3,5 per il primo volume di una trilogia dedicata a William Wallace (da noi conosciuto con il film "Braveheart" con Mel Gibson), storico eroe scozzese del XIV secolo in lotta contro gli Inglesi per la libertà della sua terra: un romanzo interessante e godibile ma appesantito dall'eccessiva verbosità, peraltro difetto cronico di questo autore.
February 7, 2012
This is a huge book, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's also helping to clarify why I was so disappointed in George R. R. Martin's equally huge volume, Game of Thrones. Both of these books are long. Both deal with wars and politics of an ancient realm and yet Jack Whyte weaves an emotionally charged story that moves along at a completely engrossing pace whereas Martin succeeded only in a plodding narrative with badly chosen points of description marring all the interesting parts. I read Jack Whyte's Arthurian books years ago and this book about the life of William Wallace is reminding me why I loved them so much. Great story, great characters, lots of action, and a good dose of history makes this a compelling read, and unlike Martin's book you won't get bogged down in descriptions of cloaks and footwear.
Whyte's William Wallace is very much alive and vibrant and I think he has achieved something noteworthy in being able to tell this tale effectively after the entire world has been exposed to Braveheart. Whyte gives us a William Wallace who is fallible, and completely human rather than the almost mythical man shown to us in Braveheart. Anyone with an interest in the Wallace story or in the history of Scotland will enjoy this book I'm sure. I'm about halfway through now and having trouble putting it down.
And an update--with 200 pages left to go I'm starting to struggle with this book. It's not holding my interest in the same way it was at first. This could have much to do with being 9 months pregnant though, so I'm not going to blame the book entirely. The problem I'm finding is that William Wallace himself is starting to disappear from the book as he goes off to fight the english and his cousin Jamie is left to tell the tale of the battles from afar, using second hand information in a lot of cases, and somehow it just isn't as captivating now.
And a final update: It picked up again in the last 60 pages.
Whyte's William Wallace is very much alive and vibrant and I think he has achieved something noteworthy in being able to tell this tale effectively after the entire world has been exposed to Braveheart. Whyte gives us a William Wallace who is fallible, and completely human rather than the almost mythical man shown to us in Braveheart. Anyone with an interest in the Wallace story or in the history of Scotland will enjoy this book I'm sure. I'm about halfway through now and having trouble putting it down.
And an update--with 200 pages left to go I'm starting to struggle with this book. It's not holding my interest in the same way it was at first. This could have much to do with being 9 months pregnant though, so I'm not going to blame the book entirely. The problem I'm finding is that William Wallace himself is starting to disappear from the book as he goes off to fight the english and his cousin Jamie is left to tell the tale of the battles from afar, using second hand information in a lot of cases, and somehow it just isn't as captivating now.
And a final update: It picked up again in the last 60 pages.
May 1, 2012
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Those whose knowledge of William Wallace begins and ends with Mel Gibson will be sadly disappointed with Jack Whyte's The Forest Laird. This is not the over dramatized Hollywood hero we all remember from the 1995 blockbuster. Whyte's Wallace has no bells or whistles. His story is that of a man who happened to stand up at a most opportune moment in Scottish history. Nothing more.
I think it is safe to say Whyte's depiction is closer to the truth than Randall Wallace's screenplay, but that's not difficult considering the film implies William, who died in 1305, fathered Edward III, who was born 1312. Did I forget to mention fans of the film would be disappointed? Sorry, I didn't mean to disillusion the masses. My point here is that it is important to remember we actually know very little about the historic William Wallace. Short of his military career and the weeks leading up to his death, the details of his life are really anyone's guess. The Forest Laird is significantly more grounded that the traditional Wallace legends, but it is still very much a work of fiction and shouldn't be taken as anything more.
Despite having owned a number of Whyte's books for several years, this is actually the first I've taken time to sit down and read. I should be ashamed really, but I don't know that I'll be rushing to my bookshelves anytime soon. I like the story Whyte created but the text was often bogged down by explanations of political events of which I was already very familiar. I wouldn't go so far as to say these passages were boring, wordy is probably more accurate, but they definitely didn't hold my attention. Surprisingly, these overblown political diatribes aren’t what stick out in my mind when reflecting on the novel. Though mildly annoying, they are necessary to the telling. It would be impossible to tell William’s story without explaining the Scottish Wars for Independence and the events that led up to them. No, my three star rating came down the execution, pure and simple.
Whyte’s narrative is told solely from the perspective of William’s cousin Jamie Wallace. It works beautifully during the prologue and the early chapters of the book, but when the boys transition from awkward teens to young adults, they part company. William taking to the woods with his bow while Jamie dedicates his life to God and quiet study. Obviously this poses a problem as Jamie isn’t witness to many of William’s exploits. I think Whyte would have been better off alternating the narrative between Jamie, Mirren, and Ewan. I’m no author, but I found it difficult to remain interested in a character who was so often removed from the action and the protagonist of the story.
The execution left something to be desired, but despite its flaws I found I really appreciated Whyte’s attempt at separating the man from the legend. I’m not screaming its praises from the rooftop, but it will be interesting to see what Whyte does with the rest of the Bravehearts Chronicles.
Those whose knowledge of William Wallace begins and ends with Mel Gibson will be sadly disappointed with Jack Whyte's The Forest Laird. This is not the over dramatized Hollywood hero we all remember from the 1995 blockbuster. Whyte's Wallace has no bells or whistles. His story is that of a man who happened to stand up at a most opportune moment in Scottish history. Nothing more.
I think it is safe to say Whyte's depiction is closer to the truth than Randall Wallace's screenplay, but that's not difficult considering the film implies William, who died in 1305, fathered Edward III, who was born 1312. Did I forget to mention fans of the film would be disappointed? Sorry, I didn't mean to disillusion the masses. My point here is that it is important to remember we actually know very little about the historic William Wallace. Short of his military career and the weeks leading up to his death, the details of his life are really anyone's guess. The Forest Laird is significantly more grounded that the traditional Wallace legends, but it is still very much a work of fiction and shouldn't be taken as anything more.
Despite having owned a number of Whyte's books for several years, this is actually the first I've taken time to sit down and read. I should be ashamed really, but I don't know that I'll be rushing to my bookshelves anytime soon. I like the story Whyte created but the text was often bogged down by explanations of political events of which I was already very familiar. I wouldn't go so far as to say these passages were boring, wordy is probably more accurate, but they definitely didn't hold my attention. Surprisingly, these overblown political diatribes aren’t what stick out in my mind when reflecting on the novel. Though mildly annoying, they are necessary to the telling. It would be impossible to tell William’s story without explaining the Scottish Wars for Independence and the events that led up to them. No, my three star rating came down the execution, pure and simple.
Whyte’s narrative is told solely from the perspective of William’s cousin Jamie Wallace. It works beautifully during the prologue and the early chapters of the book, but when the boys transition from awkward teens to young adults, they part company. William taking to the woods with his bow while Jamie dedicates his life to God and quiet study. Obviously this poses a problem as Jamie isn’t witness to many of William’s exploits. I think Whyte would have been better off alternating the narrative between Jamie, Mirren, and Ewan. I’m no author, but I found it difficult to remain interested in a character who was so often removed from the action and the protagonist of the story.
The execution left something to be desired, but despite its flaws I found I really appreciated Whyte’s attempt at separating the man from the legend. I’m not screaming its praises from the rooftop, but it will be interesting to see what Whyte does with the rest of the Bravehearts Chronicles.
May 14, 2019
This is told in the perspective of Jamie Wallace, William's cousin which works extremely well. You get an insider's look at the boy of William Wallace, and that is vital to understanding the adult William Wallace. The first part of the book hummed along, but when elements of philosophy were introduced, it bogged down. I do not need a long, tedious debate for pages and pages to get the point. But I love that Jack Whyte is willing to put a face and background to the modern day hero.
January 26, 2020
The people of Scotland were that way (innocent of war) in the springtime of the year of our Lord 1296. They heard the talk of war with England and they knew that matters had been set in motion that were beyond their control, grave matters that would affect them and change the very way their land was governed. And yet they did not grow unduly alarmed. An entire generation and come to middle age without ever knowing the dangers, the risks, or the enormous tragedy of extensive warfare, and the men whose duty it would now become to fight this new war and confront the English approached the task with a wide-eyed confidence that reflected their innocence and ignorance. That innocence was about to be rudely shattered.
Jack Whyte was raised in Scotland, before moving to Canada. He states in the preface that he wrote The Forest Laird in an attempt to separate the real Scottish hero William Wallace from the mythical legend (epitomized in the movie Braveheart ). Many negative ratings are based on readers expecting to experience a sweeping war saga. What we get instead is a look into Wallace's earlier life (pre-Braveheart if you will). It is clearly evident that Whyte researched his subject matter well, and also evident that he grounded his fictional story in real historical context (albeit perhaps getting a few details wrong here and there as other reviewers pointed out). When an author puts obvious time and dedication into their offering, I feel bad giving less than 3 stars...but *this book felt too much like a detailed backstory to further books, hence the 2.5 stars*.
The prologue begins dramatically with a 11th hour meeting between William Wallace and his cousin Jamie (in the disguise of an English priest). Wallace is to be executed the next day, August 24th, 1305 for daring to rebel against the English king. Jamie is there to provide comfort to his cousin. Wallace asks him to bear witness to his execution the following day, and the experience moves Jamie, AKA Brother James, to record the Man William Wallace who lived within the legends and tall tales which grew around him. The recollection begins, in Chapter 1, with young boys (age 8 and 10) escaping from bond, and running from English pillagers who killed their family, raped the boys, and left them tied up.
Jamie/James as a first person POV storyteller works quite well during the first 1/3 or so of the book. The boys are growing up together, and we see William mature through the eyes of his slightly younger cousin. Jamie clearly idolizes Will, they view each other as brothers, and Will looks after and protects Jamie. They grow up though, as boys tend to do. James begins training as a monk preparing for priesthood, and Will becomes an apprentice to Ewan the bow master. At this point the POV becomes problematic. We often view Will's activities from a distance, hear second-hand accounts of events, and the story feels more like recounted history instead of an immersive epic.
There's alot of *talking* about action instead of *showing* action. In addition, as others have mentioned, Whyte achieved attention to historical detail at the expense of character development. With the exception of Will (and even here we are *told* more than *shown* his changing priorities), other characters fail to come to life. Finally, the book ends abruptly, shortly after a gut-wrenching series of events, and we are left with the choice of either foregoing closure or forking out money for the next book in the series.
Bottom line: Recommended only for those who love anything to do with Scottish history, its revolution, and William Wallace. For that type of reader, this book may be worth the plausible telling of Wallace's early years. Definitely look elsewhere if you want an edge-of-the-seat epic. Given 2.5 stars or a rating of "Above average".
Jack Whyte was raised in Scotland, before moving to Canada. He states in the preface that he wrote The Forest Laird in an attempt to separate the real Scottish hero William Wallace from the mythical legend (epitomized in the movie Braveheart ). Many negative ratings are based on readers expecting to experience a sweeping war saga. What we get instead is a look into Wallace's earlier life (pre-Braveheart if you will). It is clearly evident that Whyte researched his subject matter well, and also evident that he grounded his fictional story in real historical context (albeit perhaps getting a few details wrong here and there as other reviewers pointed out). When an author puts obvious time and dedication into their offering, I feel bad giving less than 3 stars...but *this book felt too much like a detailed backstory to further books, hence the 2.5 stars*.
The prologue begins dramatically with a 11th hour meeting between William Wallace and his cousin Jamie (in the disguise of an English priest). Wallace is to be executed the next day, August 24th, 1305 for daring to rebel against the English king. Jamie is there to provide comfort to his cousin. Wallace asks him to bear witness to his execution the following day, and the experience moves Jamie, AKA Brother James, to record the Man William Wallace who lived within the legends and tall tales which grew around him. The recollection begins, in Chapter 1, with young boys (age 8 and 10) escaping from bond, and running from English pillagers who killed their family, raped the boys, and left them tied up.
Jamie/James as a first person POV storyteller works quite well during the first 1/3 or so of the book. The boys are growing up together, and we see William mature through the eyes of his slightly younger cousin. Jamie clearly idolizes Will, they view each other as brothers, and Will looks after and protects Jamie. They grow up though, as boys tend to do. James begins training as a monk preparing for priesthood, and Will becomes an apprentice to Ewan the bow master. At this point the POV becomes problematic. We often view Will's activities from a distance, hear second-hand accounts of events, and the story feels more like recounted history instead of an immersive epic.
There's alot of *talking* about action instead of *showing* action. In addition, as others have mentioned, Whyte achieved attention to historical detail at the expense of character development. With the exception of Will (and even here we are *told* more than *shown* his changing priorities), other characters fail to come to life. Finally, the book ends abruptly, shortly after a gut-wrenching series of events, and we are left with the choice of either foregoing closure or forking out money for the next book in the series.
Bottom line: Recommended only for those who love anything to do with Scottish history, its revolution, and William Wallace. For that type of reader, this book may be worth the plausible telling of Wallace's early years. Definitely look elsewhere if you want an edge-of-the-seat epic. Given 2.5 stars or a rating of "Above average".
May 30, 2012
This book starts out by introducing William Wallace and his cousin Jamie as small boys when their home is attacked by English soldiers who brutally murder the rest of the family. Jamie narrates the tale and we follow the two boys as they grow into young men under the care of their Uncle who takes them in after their traumatic ordeal. While the boys are close growing up, it becomes clear that their lives will take different paths as Jamie becomes more interested in the Church and scholarly pursuits and William in learning fighting techniques, weapons (particularly the English longbow) and learning the land as a Forrester. As the Scottish stand helplessly by while more and more English Soldiers invade their homes-raping, pillaging, abusing the populace and accusing innocent citizens of being outlaws-William decides to take a stand which makes him hated and feared by the English.
Wallace is a figure that not a whole lot is known about (unless you count what you "learned" from watching Mel Gibson in Braveheart) and Jack Whyte breathes life into this character who is often raised to mythical proportions. I loved the author's idea of what William may have been like in his youth and also the realistic portrayal of this legendary figure. Wallace isn't some giant who threatens to take on all the English single-handedly. If you are look for the in your face William Wallace that you get in the Gibson movie, that character doesn't exist here. Here he is a man who would have loved to live a peaceful life in the forest with his beloved wife Mirren but is instead pushed into reacting by the actions of the English. The manner in which he hampers the English (by taking to Selkirk forest and attacking them as they pass through) bears a bit of a resemblance to that other legendary hero-Robin Hood. The supporting characters including Jamie and Ewan who befriends the boys at an early age and becomes William's right hand man are well fleshed out and the history of medieval Scotland contained in the book is fascinating. The only area of contention for me was when the characters would discuss the political maneuverings of the Scottish King and his cabinet, King Edward's motivation and the struggles for the throne, it would get a bit tedious. I understand the necessity of including this so the reader would get a full picture of exactly what was happening in Scotland at the time but the level of detail presented in doing so made it a bit dull. Fortunately these passages were few and far between and other than these areas I found this book to be immensely enjoyable.
This book clocks in at over 500 pages and I was so engrossed I sped through it in no time. I loved this fresh take on the legendary William Wallace and I thought Jamie Wallace was a perfect medium through which to present William's story. I would also like to mention that this book is the first in a planned trilogy with the second book taking on the story of Robert the Bruce and the final book in the trilogy will revolve around Sir James Douglas (the Black Douglas). I can't wait to continue on with these two stories and I definitely recommend this one!
*review copy from publisher*
Wallace is a figure that not a whole lot is known about (unless you count what you "learned" from watching Mel Gibson in Braveheart) and Jack Whyte breathes life into this character who is often raised to mythical proportions. I loved the author's idea of what William may have been like in his youth and also the realistic portrayal of this legendary figure. Wallace isn't some giant who threatens to take on all the English single-handedly. If you are look for the in your face William Wallace that you get in the Gibson movie, that character doesn't exist here. Here he is a man who would have loved to live a peaceful life in the forest with his beloved wife Mirren but is instead pushed into reacting by the actions of the English. The manner in which he hampers the English (by taking to Selkirk forest and attacking them as they pass through) bears a bit of a resemblance to that other legendary hero-Robin Hood. The supporting characters including Jamie and Ewan who befriends the boys at an early age and becomes William's right hand man are well fleshed out and the history of medieval Scotland contained in the book is fascinating. The only area of contention for me was when the characters would discuss the political maneuverings of the Scottish King and his cabinet, King Edward's motivation and the struggles for the throne, it would get a bit tedious. I understand the necessity of including this so the reader would get a full picture of exactly what was happening in Scotland at the time but the level of detail presented in doing so made it a bit dull. Fortunately these passages were few and far between and other than these areas I found this book to be immensely enjoyable.
This book clocks in at over 500 pages and I was so engrossed I sped through it in no time. I loved this fresh take on the legendary William Wallace and I thought Jamie Wallace was a perfect medium through which to present William's story. I would also like to mention that this book is the first in a planned trilogy with the second book taking on the story of Robert the Bruce and the final book in the trilogy will revolve around Sir James Douglas (the Black Douglas). I can't wait to continue on with these two stories and I definitely recommend this one!
*review copy from publisher*
November 30, 2016
I remember Jack Whyte’s Arthurian Skystone novels very fondly, so I thought I’d give William Wallace a try. As expected, Whyte’s writing is very fluid and we get an earthy, rustic character easy to relate to. This novel covers the early part of Wallace’s life, before he gets involved with the uncooperative nobles of Scotland. It is told after the fact, from the point of view of his cousin Jamie, a quieter, less impulsive lad who eventually became Wallace’s resident priest for his forest hideaway. Jamie’s recollections from the end of his life give him the opportunity to show Wallace’s actions in the context of hindsight: “Over the decades between then and now, I have found it both ironic and tragic that Wallace is condemned as a base-born, ignoble brigand for the way in which he waged war and the methods that he used, while King Robert himself, who perfected those same methods in the two ensuing decades and carried them to unprecedented extremes both on and off the field of battle, is universally hailed as the Hero King.” I thought this was an effective way to blend history into a historical novel; we haven’t even met Robert the Bruce yet, but this observation helps put both him and Wallace into perspective.
Whyte has written this book after the movie “Braveheart”, which he admits was a daunting prospect. I would imagine that most Americans, at least, never heard of William Wallace before the movie came out. So he had to carefully avoid looking like he was copying from the script while at the same time retaining the trappings of a familiar icon. I think he did this very well. We recognize Wallace from the start as larger than life and we’re not the least bit surprised that he feels the need to champion the downtrodden.
Several times throughout the book I caught myself wondering whether I was reading about a Scottish Robin Hood; Wallace starts his career as an archer, he’s in trouble with the authorities, he has his friar Tuck, so to speak. I imagine the parallels are more than coincidental; in the introduction Whyte tells us that nothing is known about Wallace’s early years so “this tale speculates what might have been”. That’s fine; it’s a good story and sets things up well. By the end of the book we are ready to get into the heart of his career.
Whyte has written this book after the movie “Braveheart”, which he admits was a daunting prospect. I would imagine that most Americans, at least, never heard of William Wallace before the movie came out. So he had to carefully avoid looking like he was copying from the script while at the same time retaining the trappings of a familiar icon. I think he did this very well. We recognize Wallace from the start as larger than life and we’re not the least bit surprised that he feels the need to champion the downtrodden.
Several times throughout the book I caught myself wondering whether I was reading about a Scottish Robin Hood; Wallace starts his career as an archer, he’s in trouble with the authorities, he has his friar Tuck, so to speak. I imagine the parallels are more than coincidental; in the introduction Whyte tells us that nothing is known about Wallace’s early years so “this tale speculates what might have been”. That’s fine; it’s a good story and sets things up well. By the end of the book we are ready to get into the heart of his career.
July 22, 2012
The title of my version of this book is "Rebel," but is appears to be the same volume.
This is an interesting take on the life of William Wallace.
First, it is a novel--not a biography. But the author has used historical sources on Wallace to try to provide a context that makes sense. How accurate the context is I do not know; this is not a period of history and a place in history of which I am conversant.
Second, if you want to reprise the battle scenes from the movie "Braveheart," forget it. This novel examines Wallace's life--from childhood to adulthood--to the point where he becomes an avenging angel (or devil?) against the English under England's King Edward (nicknamed Longshanks).
Third, the tale is told through the eyes and ears of William Wallace's cousin, James (or Jamie when he was young) who becomes a priest. The novel traces Wallace's life from childhood, to his developing expertise as a longbowman to his become attracted to and married to Mirren and his becoming a father with her child. The tale also speaks of his efforts early on to draw together Scots who were willing to sting the English "invaders" in Scotland. The books speaks of Wallace's tactical and strategic skills. The work also speaks to his desire to be a family man and not a military leader. But the increasingly intrusive English presence provides challenges to that desire. The book closes with incidents that push Wallace to give up his vow not to fight.
Fourth, in an interesting authorial play, the book begins at the ending, leading us to want to know how William Wallace came to be the force against the English that viewers of the movie came to know.
Overall, a nice work.
This is an interesting take on the life of William Wallace.
First, it is a novel--not a biography. But the author has used historical sources on Wallace to try to provide a context that makes sense. How accurate the context is I do not know; this is not a period of history and a place in history of which I am conversant.
Second, if you want to reprise the battle scenes from the movie "Braveheart," forget it. This novel examines Wallace's life--from childhood to adulthood--to the point where he becomes an avenging angel (or devil?) against the English under England's King Edward (nicknamed Longshanks).
Third, the tale is told through the eyes and ears of William Wallace's cousin, James (or Jamie when he was young) who becomes a priest. The novel traces Wallace's life from childhood, to his developing expertise as a longbowman to his become attracted to and married to Mirren and his becoming a father with her child. The tale also speaks of his efforts early on to draw together Scots who were willing to sting the English "invaders" in Scotland. The books speaks of Wallace's tactical and strategic skills. The work also speaks to his desire to be a family man and not a military leader. But the increasingly intrusive English presence provides challenges to that desire. The book closes with incidents that push Wallace to give up his vow not to fight.
Fourth, in an interesting authorial play, the book begins at the ending, leading us to want to know how William Wallace came to be the force against the English that viewers of the movie came to know.
Overall, a nice work.
November 2, 2014
Well, that happened. For no particular reason whatsoever. I don't hold passion for this kind of books, but apparently that's all I can get my hands on lately, other than university manuals. College doesn't leave much time for pleasure reading, does it now?
Entertaining as it could be, fast-paced but with a firm grounding in detail work on characters and settings, "Rebel" captures the reader very well in its first hundred pages or so. Afterwards, it seems to dilute to a mere stumbling story, only to regain force in it's last 50, 60 pages. As long as you are capable of understanding that no book ever is perfect in terms of pacing, as liking a certain pace is a very subjective thing, you can get enough enjoyment out of this (or for that matter, any) reading.
What I did find as a note of originality (though that might not be the right word, but i can't find the proper one now) was the usage of Scottish accent on paper - so, dialogue written in a very similar manner to how it's orally presented. That added to the authenticity of the characters, enough so that you believed they were who they said they were, which is frankly what you look for, as a passionate reader.
Entertaining as it could be, fast-paced but with a firm grounding in detail work on characters and settings, "Rebel" captures the reader very well in its first hundred pages or so. Afterwards, it seems to dilute to a mere stumbling story, only to regain force in it's last 50, 60 pages. As long as you are capable of understanding that no book ever is perfect in terms of pacing, as liking a certain pace is a very subjective thing, you can get enough enjoyment out of this (or for that matter, any) reading.
What I did find as a note of originality (though that might not be the right word, but i can't find the proper one now) was the usage of Scottish accent on paper - so, dialogue written in a very similar manner to how it's orally presented. That added to the authenticity of the characters, enough so that you believed they were who they said they were, which is frankly what you look for, as a passionate reader.
December 12, 2016
I'm a Jack Whyte fan. THE CAMULOD CHRONICLES are one of my favorite series and I even enjoyed his TEMPLAR series though it was less popular. This book however was a bit of a disappointment.
I was excited to read the story of William Wallace however after the first half of the book The Wallace didn't appear much. The book follows his cousin Jamie who spends most of his time away from William and we learn about his adventures second hand. Not too cool.
Whyte's stories are usually dominated by long, drawn out philosophical discussions that are peppered with action, twists and turns. This is something i usually enjoy but this book needed more pepper. After The Wallace grows up each chapter is one discussion after the other which quickly got boring.
Not the BRAVEHEART book I was looking for.
NOT RECOMMENDED
I was excited to read the story of William Wallace however after the first half of the book The Wallace didn't appear much. The book follows his cousin Jamie who spends most of his time away from William and we learn about his adventures second hand. Not too cool.
Whyte's stories are usually dominated by long, drawn out philosophical discussions that are peppered with action, twists and turns. This is something i usually enjoy but this book needed more pepper. After The Wallace grows up each chapter is one discussion after the other which quickly got boring.
Not the BRAVEHEART book I was looking for.
NOT RECOMMENDED
January 10, 2025
Contains some generalised spoilers:
Not bad. Well written but seemed to lose momentum halfway through and then it tended to drag on a bit. I was about 80% in when I realised that the actual full scale rebellion, the battles at Stirling and Falkirk weren't going to feature in the book.
I'm not sure if there has been a sequel, but I don't think I'd read another 500 or so page book with a similarly slow pace.
I did like the imagined origin story though - very much felt like I was reading a tale of Robin Hood (Wallace even fell in love with a Marian!)
Not bad. Well written but seemed to lose momentum halfway through and then it tended to drag on a bit. I was about 80% in when I realised that the actual full scale rebellion, the battles at Stirling and Falkirk weren't going to feature in the book.
I'm not sure if there has been a sequel, but I don't think I'd read another 500 or so page book with a similarly slow pace.
I did like the imagined origin story though - very much felt like I was reading a tale of Robin Hood (Wallace even fell in love with a Marian!)
February 27, 2019
An excellent historical novel. Compelling and hard to put down.
May 20, 2014
On August 24, 1305, a Scottish priest is admitted into London's Smithfield Prison, in order to hear a condemned man's final confession. But, Father James Wallace has heard it all before. He is in fact there only to comfort his cousin, William, as he awaits the dawn's early light and his moment with destiny. William is not afraid of dying, he is afraid that the motivation behind his treacherous acts will be forgotten. Father James can only assure that they will not.
Decades later, the legend of "The Wallace" has reached mythical status among the Scottish people, where most tales are exaggerated, while others are entirely forgotten. Father James will set the record straight. The record where Will Wallace was an expert with the English long bow - not the sword. And, a tale that exposes a Will Wallace that is only a by-product of English maliciousness. But, mostly, Father James will recount, in great detail, the numerous loyal friendships that helped shape the orphaned lad into one of the Guardians of Scotland. And, how a lovely maiden, named Mirren Braidfoot, ignited a fire in this guardian's heart, before an unspeakable tragedy became the catalyst that set the country ablaze. James Wallace was an eye witness to it all, for before he was Father James, he was a brother-in-arms to The Forest Laird.
Canadian author, Jack Whyte, is known for bringing new life to the King Arthur legend, by blending historical facts with adventurous storytelling, in his "The Dream of Eagles" series. Now, with The Forest Laird (the first book of The Guardian Trilogy), Whyte leaves the Braveheart legend for the big screen and switches his focus to the man, William Wallace. All his tragic occurrences and personal triumphs, the reader bears witness to, as narrated through the eyes of Will's cousin, Father James. Unforgettable fictional characters share the page with important historical figures, such as: Lord Robert Bruce, King Edward I (Plantageret) of England, King John (Balliol) of Scotland, and Bishop Bek of Durham.
This historical novel concentrates on the tensions, conflicts and politics between England and Scotland in the late 13th Century, following the unexpected death of Alexander III, King of Scots. By happenstance, William Wallace's life runs parallel to these events, until everything is reversed and the events seem to revolve around Wallace. Whyte's wordsmith skills propel him to the ranks of historical novelists Edward Rutherford ( Sarum ), and James Michener (Chesapeake ), with his ability to reflect not only the geography and landscape of the Scottish countrysides and forests, but the snapshot in time, as well. Just as Leon Uris', Trinity , gave testimony to the Irish's suffering at the hands of the English, Whyte's The Forest Laird , gives credence and explanation to a similar revolution, by the Scottish people, hundreds of years earlier.
Jack Whyte's, The Forest Laird , brings a reality tale to the Scottish legend of William Wallace. Prompting the reader to acknowledge that reality is stranger - and, more enjoyable - than fiction.
Recommend? You betcha.
4 character driven stars!
Decades later, the legend of "The Wallace" has reached mythical status among the Scottish people, where most tales are exaggerated, while others are entirely forgotten. Father James will set the record straight. The record where Will Wallace was an expert with the English long bow - not the sword. And, a tale that exposes a Will Wallace that is only a by-product of English maliciousness. But, mostly, Father James will recount, in great detail, the numerous loyal friendships that helped shape the orphaned lad into one of the Guardians of Scotland. And, how a lovely maiden, named Mirren Braidfoot, ignited a fire in this guardian's heart, before an unspeakable tragedy became the catalyst that set the country ablaze. James Wallace was an eye witness to it all, for before he was Father James, he was a brother-in-arms to The Forest Laird.
Canadian author, Jack Whyte, is known for bringing new life to the King Arthur legend, by blending historical facts with adventurous storytelling, in his "The Dream of Eagles" series. Now, with The Forest Laird (the first book of The Guardian Trilogy), Whyte leaves the Braveheart legend for the big screen and switches his focus to the man, William Wallace. All his tragic occurrences and personal triumphs, the reader bears witness to, as narrated through the eyes of Will's cousin, Father James. Unforgettable fictional characters share the page with important historical figures, such as: Lord Robert Bruce, King Edward I (Plantageret) of England, King John (Balliol) of Scotland, and Bishop Bek of Durham.
This historical novel concentrates on the tensions, conflicts and politics between England and Scotland in the late 13th Century, following the unexpected death of Alexander III, King of Scots. By happenstance, William Wallace's life runs parallel to these events, until everything is reversed and the events seem to revolve around Wallace. Whyte's wordsmith skills propel him to the ranks of historical novelists Edward Rutherford ( Sarum ), and James Michener (Chesapeake ), with his ability to reflect not only the geography and landscape of the Scottish countrysides and forests, but the snapshot in time, as well. Just as Leon Uris', Trinity , gave testimony to the Irish's suffering at the hands of the English, Whyte's The Forest Laird , gives credence and explanation to a similar revolution, by the Scottish people, hundreds of years earlier.
Jack Whyte's, The Forest Laird , brings a reality tale to the Scottish legend of William Wallace. Prompting the reader to acknowledge that reality is stranger - and, more enjoyable - than fiction.
Recommend? You betcha.
4 character driven stars!
January 4, 2019
Picture William Wallace as a brave, young patriot, who—in his final moment when he was being hanged, drawn and quartered—never wavered in his idea of a free Scotland and died screaming “Freedom” to foreign domination. Picture him as a man of resolve, as a man of certainty: always passionate to the Scottish cause, and ever ready to give up his own life for his country. A perfect hero who is respected by his noble allies, and venerated by the common folk of his time and even people years ahead of his time.
You are actually looking at Mel Gibson, a la William Wallace, from his 1995 hit movie. In this book, though, Wallace’s depiction is nowhere near flawless. Before there was a brave William Wallace fighting and dying for freedom and Scotland, there was first a shy, clever, and observant young man named Will. Jamie Wallace, the story narrator and Will’s priest cousin, describes him as an ordinary man, who, before leading an extraordinary life, has harbored simple enough dreams and a thirst for a peaceful life. He relates how Will was as a boy, schooled in religion and foreign languages who loves his long bow and dreams of being a forester; a young man falling in love for the first time, passionate and devoted and resolute to win his beloved’s affection; an outlaw, where he has competently led and organized his throng of followers; and a dispassionate freedom fighter, who at first is ever cautious of dipping into his country’s political affairs as the important local magnates prove to be unsteady allies, until the sudden English occupation of Scotland and his own tragedy have drastically changed him and his willingness to rebel. Jamie remembers as well what makes Will happy, or excited, or sad; he shares his thoughts and worries, and paints his humanity in its true color so that everyone will see him as William, just the man.
This to me is a convincing tale of William Wallace before he became the Wallace; it is grippingly inventive, too, considering his life before the first Scottish Wars of Independence was barely documented. The depiction of his early life did not come out glossy and exalting, and while several pages detailing history became a bit of a yawn fest, I actually appreciated the author's passion for reliving history, specifically the part where his characters discuss the impact of the emergence of middle class in a feudal society, the impression William Wallace left to the common people, and the reason for the magnates’ vacillating mood in joining the war against England. The author also impressively interspersed historical facts with the characters’ fictional yarns, and made the likes of Bishop Wishart, William Lamberton and Andrew Murray estimable Scotland’s champions in my eyes (and how I wished I had personally known people like them in this lifetime!)
Overall, The Forest Laird is a satisfying and refreshing tale of one of the most personified heroes in history, and a big leap to all the hero-worship sketches we have of him in both print and motion. My only regret is that I failed to see that this book is actually part of a trilogy, and I still don’t have books 2 and 3. :(
You are actually looking at Mel Gibson, a la William Wallace, from his 1995 hit movie. In this book, though, Wallace’s depiction is nowhere near flawless. Before there was a brave William Wallace fighting and dying for freedom and Scotland, there was first a shy, clever, and observant young man named Will. Jamie Wallace, the story narrator and Will’s priest cousin, describes him as an ordinary man, who, before leading an extraordinary life, has harbored simple enough dreams and a thirst for a peaceful life. He relates how Will was as a boy, schooled in religion and foreign languages who loves his long bow and dreams of being a forester; a young man falling in love for the first time, passionate and devoted and resolute to win his beloved’s affection; an outlaw, where he has competently led and organized his throng of followers; and a dispassionate freedom fighter, who at first is ever cautious of dipping into his country’s political affairs as the important local magnates prove to be unsteady allies, until the sudden English occupation of Scotland and his own tragedy have drastically changed him and his willingness to rebel. Jamie remembers as well what makes Will happy, or excited, or sad; he shares his thoughts and worries, and paints his humanity in its true color so that everyone will see him as William, just the man.
This to me is a convincing tale of William Wallace before he became the Wallace; it is grippingly inventive, too, considering his life before the first Scottish Wars of Independence was barely documented. The depiction of his early life did not come out glossy and exalting, and while several pages detailing history became a bit of a yawn fest, I actually appreciated the author's passion for reliving history, specifically the part where his characters discuss the impact of the emergence of middle class in a feudal society, the impression William Wallace left to the common people, and the reason for the magnates’ vacillating mood in joining the war against England. The author also impressively interspersed historical facts with the characters’ fictional yarns, and made the likes of Bishop Wishart, William Lamberton and Andrew Murray estimable Scotland’s champions in my eyes (and how I wished I had personally known people like them in this lifetime!)
Overall, The Forest Laird is a satisfying and refreshing tale of one of the most personified heroes in history, and a big leap to all the hero-worship sketches we have of him in both print and motion. My only regret is that I failed to see that this book is actually part of a trilogy, and I still don’t have books 2 and 3. :(
November 13, 2015
I had really been looking forward to reading this novel. The first in Mr. Whyte’s Guardians of Scotland trilogy, this is the story of William Wallace, an almost mythical figure who rose from obscurity to become a great warrior and leader of men in thirteenth century Scotland. Unfortunately, in order to understand what Wallace did and why he did it, it is necessary for the reader to see him in his historical context. The deterioration of the feudal system, the beginnings of the middle classes, the huge gulf between the rights and privileges of the nobles versus the peasants, the growing conflicts between Church and State, and the disputes between England and just about every other nation all contributed to the breakdown of society as it had been known almost since the retreat of the Romans.
Novelists are told to “show me, don’t tell me”. I can’t think of a good way to show this changing environment. Sadly, Mr. Whyte doesn’t seem to be able to, either. While the first half of the novel is lively and colourful and brisk, as young Will Wallace grows to manhood and develops his skills and his worldview, the second half often seems to be a series of talking heads glued together with rambles through the woods and occasional violence. The endless recitation of dates, names and places reminds me of the way history was taught when I went to school – badly. Mr. Whyte’s research must have been extensive, and his grasp of overriding historical events is impressive. The story, which seems to incorporate characters and events from the Robin Hood cycle, should have been as thrilling as one of Sir Walter Scott’s romances while still teaching us about Scottish heritage. It wasn’t.
I was disappointed.
Novelists are told to “show me, don’t tell me”. I can’t think of a good way to show this changing environment. Sadly, Mr. Whyte doesn’t seem to be able to, either. While the first half of the novel is lively and colourful and brisk, as young Will Wallace grows to manhood and develops his skills and his worldview, the second half often seems to be a series of talking heads glued together with rambles through the woods and occasional violence. The endless recitation of dates, names and places reminds me of the way history was taught when I went to school – badly. Mr. Whyte’s research must have been extensive, and his grasp of overriding historical events is impressive. The story, which seems to incorporate characters and events from the Robin Hood cycle, should have been as thrilling as one of Sir Walter Scott’s romances while still teaching us about Scottish heritage. It wasn’t.
I was disappointed.
September 11, 2016
Although Jack Whyte is my favorite author, this book was not one that was memorable. The story was a bit too religious and moved very slowly. I'm hoping that the next books in this series will be more to my liking.
December 20, 2014
Everything I've read says that this is a trilogy, and I'm having trouble figuring out how Whyte can wrap it up in three books.
This first volume follows William Wallace. The prologue begins with his execution, then we go back to see the life that led up to it. About as much is known about Wallace's early life as about Christ's, so Whyte has a lot of room to speculate, and he does it very well and believably.
Of course, there's a background history that is well-documented, though not much taught to we Sassenach's, so it was all pretty new to me, and interesting.
The frustrating part is that the story ends before any of the events that we probably all know from the movie Braveheart—which, of course, is also before the execution in the prologue—so what happens in the intervening years?
Still, I feel I know more, and with much more balance, than I knew before of Edward I's imperial ambitions in Scotland than I learned in school.
September 5, 2012
For the first half of this book it was rating at 4 to 5 stars but the second half slowed up considerably, took way to long and ended in the middle of nowhere in particular. The other thing that spoilt the second half for me was the historically anachronistic ideas of patriotic nationalism and almost democratic ideas that the author puts in the mounths of some of his characters. That said the story is still good and the action well written, just too much thinking out loud between the examples of it.
October 22, 2019
Not really a review but wanted to share an important side note.
Braveheart is a great movie about William Wallace. Bravehearts ... please note the plural "s" as it's important ... is a series focused on pivotal Scots figures for the same historical events surrounding the movie we all love. Though the subtitle of this first book in the series is "The Story of William Wallace," a good deal of time is spent developing the other "Bravehearts." Keep that in mind and you will probably enjoy this one.
Best cover art version found here: https://amzn.to/31EYdEi
Braveheart is a great movie about William Wallace. Bravehearts ... please note the plural "s" as it's important ... is a series focused on pivotal Scots figures for the same historical events surrounding the movie we all love. Though the subtitle of this first book in the series is "The Story of William Wallace," a good deal of time is spent developing the other "Bravehearts." Keep that in mind and you will probably enjoy this one.
Best cover art version found here: https://amzn.to/31EYdEi
October 19, 2015
A moving account of the life of William Wallace. It goes into more depth than other books I have read and makes a connection that I never considered before. Basically William Wallace was also fighting against feudalism, a system that died shortly after this incident. The middle class had begun shortly before William Wallace threw in his bow to fight against King Edward Longshanks for Scottish freedom. The story is told from the point of view of Wallace's cousin, James Wallace.
May 14, 2012
Whyte writes about William Wallace's youth and young adult hood up to just before he becomes Guardian of Scotland. Not much is known of WW's childhood and young adult hood, so Whyte has basically a blank canvas to work with. He makes WW out to be a Robin Hood type character, even having him be an archer using a welch longbow. That said it is still a stasifiing read and I enjoyed it.
August 17, 2012
New book. First in a trilogy about the 13th Century Scottish war for independence from England. This book is about William Wallace. Think Braveheart.
Writer has been compared to James Michener. Good writer. Good book. I enjoyed this very much.
Writer has been compared to James Michener. Good writer. Good book. I enjoyed this very much.
March 13, 2016
This was just too long, and perhaps too detailed? I also don't know why Jamie was the narrator when the book is about William Wallace and his cousin is often far from the events of William's life.....
April 21, 2011
well written, but not what i expected. i still do love jack whyte though.
March 12, 2013
Spectacular! Much better than the movie Braveheart, though good it was. I'm eagerly awaiting the author's second book in this series.
October 26, 2025
So Laura has read these books, but I have not! The only Jack Whyte books I’ve read are his Arthurian ones, and the first of his Templar books (but we don’t talk about those!). This series is about famous figures in the Scottish Wars of Independence, each one featuring a different figure. So! WILLIAM WALLACE! One of the most famous Scots in history. He’s the star of this one story, though not the narrator.
Our framing device is that while Wallace is being held in the Tower of London, awaiting his grisly execution, his cousin, Father James Wallace (he’s a priest) comes to take his Confession. William doesn’t particularly want to confess, but Father James reminisces on their time together, and the events leading up to his becoming the leader of the Scots in their fight against the English.
I was reminded of “The Sky Stone”, another Jack Whyte book, which was a prequel to the Arthurian legend, and I remember thinking that one was set too far before the Arthur stuff to really feel like it had a point. This one isn’t egregious in that sense, though I did think, towards the end of the book, “Wait, when’s the part where he goes to war? There’s not enough space in this book for him to do that.” And there isn’t! Because this isn’t about that. It’s about Wallace’s life leading up to that. Which mostly works! Although it’s far from a happy story.
And that’s not to say that it doesn’t feature any of Wallace fighting the English–it most certainly does! And the people he fights most definitely deserve to be beaten by Wallace and his band of outlaws (the book feels very Robin Hood-esque at times, which is…interesting). I do wonder how much of it reflects actual history? Whyte mentioned that he didn’t have a ton of historical sources to work with for some of the details–and I do also wonder if that has changed in the time since the book’s release.
[Interestingly, Wallace is more associated with the bow than the sword in this book. Which isn’t actually that far off from the man himself, I think? It isn’t until towards the end that he takes up the sword.]
This story doesn’t feel like a heroic epic; it’s not a triumphant story about a hero fighting for freedom. It’s a tragedy: it’s the story of William Wallace from a man who knew him from childhood, who sees what English tyranny turns him into. Him deciding to take up arms and fight the English openly, instead of occasional guerrilla warfare as an outlaw, isn’t a victory, it’s the worst possible outcome for his life, because it’s born out of his life being ruined.
Pretty impressive that Whyte pulls it off as well as he does?
I do have some questions about his portrayal of the Church. Not really criticisms, as much as I want to know more about how these things played out. I do know Bishop Wishart of Glasgow was a real guy and he was pro-Scotland in this war (he let Robert the Bruce off for killing John Comyn in a church after all). What I question was that there really were so many people who insisted on the untouchable nature of clergy in conflict, or how they’re meant to be above national conflicts. The English clergy taking sides against Scotland is seen as a massive betrayal. I mean, *I* believe that, but was that a hard and fast rule back then? I also like that Father James’s view of Wishart grows sour over time, seeing him as the one who “corrupts” William into becoming more aggressive against England.
This book was not really what I expected when I picked up a book about William Wallace, but it was still very good.
Our framing device is that while Wallace is being held in the Tower of London, awaiting his grisly execution, his cousin, Father James Wallace (he’s a priest) comes to take his Confession. William doesn’t particularly want to confess, but Father James reminisces on their time together, and the events leading up to his becoming the leader of the Scots in their fight against the English.
I was reminded of “The Sky Stone”, another Jack Whyte book, which was a prequel to the Arthurian legend, and I remember thinking that one was set too far before the Arthur stuff to really feel like it had a point. This one isn’t egregious in that sense, though I did think, towards the end of the book, “Wait, when’s the part where he goes to war? There’s not enough space in this book for him to do that.” And there isn’t! Because this isn’t about that. It’s about Wallace’s life leading up to that. Which mostly works! Although it’s far from a happy story.
And that’s not to say that it doesn’t feature any of Wallace fighting the English–it most certainly does! And the people he fights most definitely deserve to be beaten by Wallace and his band of outlaws (the book feels very Robin Hood-esque at times, which is…interesting). I do wonder how much of it reflects actual history? Whyte mentioned that he didn’t have a ton of historical sources to work with for some of the details–and I do also wonder if that has changed in the time since the book’s release.
[Interestingly, Wallace is more associated with the bow than the sword in this book. Which isn’t actually that far off from the man himself, I think? It isn’t until towards the end that he takes up the sword.]
This story doesn’t feel like a heroic epic; it’s not a triumphant story about a hero fighting for freedom. It’s a tragedy: it’s the story of William Wallace from a man who knew him from childhood, who sees what English tyranny turns him into. Him deciding to take up arms and fight the English openly, instead of occasional guerrilla warfare as an outlaw, isn’t a victory, it’s the worst possible outcome for his life, because it’s born out of his life being ruined.
Pretty impressive that Whyte pulls it off as well as he does?
I do have some questions about his portrayal of the Church. Not really criticisms, as much as I want to know more about how these things played out. I do know Bishop Wishart of Glasgow was a real guy and he was pro-Scotland in this war (he let Robert the Bruce off for killing John Comyn in a church after all). What I question was that there really were so many people who insisted on the untouchable nature of clergy in conflict, or how they’re meant to be above national conflicts. The English clergy taking sides against Scotland is seen as a massive betrayal. I mean, *I* believe that, but was that a hard and fast rule back then? I also like that Father James’s view of Wishart grows sour over time, seeing him as the one who “corrupts” William into becoming more aggressive against England.
This book was not really what I expected when I picked up a book about William Wallace, but it was still very good.
May 31, 2021
Stellar storytelling, larger than life compelling characters, plot and setting ticks all the historical fiction boxes in this well-written commanding novel. The Forest Laird has sat in one of my book shelves since receiving it as a publisher giveaway in about 2010. A pandemic makes you take notice of those books languishing, waiting to be read. How I've missed reading this one--I do love historical fiction-- has me shaking my head. So very glad I pulled it out and devoured it. For I did, engaged from the start.
Whyte has told the story of The William Wallace through the narrative of his cousin, Jamie Wallace, closest friend, confidant, confessor. From early beginnings--how they lost their families to Englishery soldiers at age 8, in front of them, parents, dead by the sword--to teen years, Will learning the bow, Jamie learning what will sustain him, books and the priesthood, to a full decade or so of defending their beloved Scotland from the English King Edward Plantagenet and his ilk.
Wallace became a hero for the average everyday burgher, crofter, townsfolk because he stood for Scotland for the people and essentially paved the way for Robert Bruce and those that came after to establish their country, once again, as their own. Keeping in mind the era is 1295, a time when men lived and died by sword, bow, dagger, fist at any slight against one's family, goods, livelihood, 'twas ever thus. Whyte lays bare the strength of Wallace, his weaknesses, his presence, his leadership, his devotion. This is an epic tale that Whyte has given us, a historical delight of a fiery time in Scotland's history. The people in Will's life are stalwarts, friends, family, and a few select but trusted men like Bishop Wishart. Telling the story through Jamie's eyes as only a scholar could is brilliant; nothing is withheld, warts and all Jamie loves his cousin, believes in his goals maybe not his methods but he has witnessed what Will has, experienced loss, and is a patriotic Scot, just as his cousin is. In a terrible span of years for Scotland, William Wallace offered a dollop of hope, a way forward even when he was executed, when the tide seemed to have turned against him, sensible men saw, finally, what he tried to achieve for his homeland. Books two and three are now on my to read list!
Whyte has told the story of The William Wallace through the narrative of his cousin, Jamie Wallace, closest friend, confidant, confessor. From early beginnings--how they lost their families to Englishery soldiers at age 8, in front of them, parents, dead by the sword--to teen years, Will learning the bow, Jamie learning what will sustain him, books and the priesthood, to a full decade or so of defending their beloved Scotland from the English King Edward Plantagenet and his ilk.
Wallace became a hero for the average everyday burgher, crofter, townsfolk because he stood for Scotland for the people and essentially paved the way for Robert Bruce and those that came after to establish their country, once again, as their own. Keeping in mind the era is 1295, a time when men lived and died by sword, bow, dagger, fist at any slight against one's family, goods, livelihood, 'twas ever thus. Whyte lays bare the strength of Wallace, his weaknesses, his presence, his leadership, his devotion. This is an epic tale that Whyte has given us, a historical delight of a fiery time in Scotland's history. The people in Will's life are stalwarts, friends, family, and a few select but trusted men like Bishop Wishart. Telling the story through Jamie's eyes as only a scholar could is brilliant; nothing is withheld, warts and all Jamie loves his cousin, believes in his goals maybe not his methods but he has witnessed what Will has, experienced loss, and is a patriotic Scot, just as his cousin is. In a terrible span of years for Scotland, William Wallace offered a dollop of hope, a way forward even when he was executed, when the tide seemed to have turned against him, sensible men saw, finally, what he tried to achieve for his homeland. Books two and three are now on my to read list!
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