1745: A Military History of the Last Jacobite Uprising

by Stuart Reid

The Jacobite Rising of 1745 has long since passed from history into legend, and in the process the truth about what really happened during those ten months has become entangled in romantic myth. Many books have been published about the '45, examining almost every aspect of the political and dynastic struggle which it represented, except the most important: the military campaign which decided the outcome of that struggle once and for all. Stuart Reid's rigorous new analysis of the Highland resistance to British rule—drawing upon years of primary research and walking the actual battlefields—provides for the first time a properly balanced account of the last military engagements to be fought on British soil.At the heart of this study is a penetrating examination of the two armies involved—their strengths, weaknesses, and very different tactical doctrines. Weaving this thorough understanding of how those armies fought into previously neglected eyewitness accounts with a detailed examination of the ground on which the battles were fought, Stuart Reid presents an important new contribution to eighteenth century military history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat read - concise but with everything present. Maps could be better but otherwise good.

[Kt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I bought 1745 after first learning of the battle of Culloden when in Scotland in 2001 and gaining a further interest after starting to read the Outlander series. At the bonnie price of $5 for a second hand copy, I was attracted by the Introduction, which reads “My aim in writing this book has been to provide a factual and above all impartial study of the military aspects of the campaign. This draws not only on familiar Jacobite sources, but also upon the British army’s own records and the letters written at the time by its officers and soldiers.” Sadly, it’s sat in my TBR pile since 2003, but hey, better late than never!

While there was a lot of references to primary sources and some helpful maps, I was disappointed that only two of the fourteen chapters referred to the Battle itself. The first eleven chapters about the eight months leading up to Scotland’s most famous military event were not bad by any means, in fact they gave some good historical context; however they did drag as I waited to get to the battle itself. I wanted to know more about the battle, I wanted to read about the nitty gritty of what lead to so many Jacobites being massacred by the English and why it was that they never stood a chance. I didn’t want this summed up in a paragraph, as it was.

Having said that, I do agree that the book was balanced from a Scottish and English perspective, and that Reid’s writing favours neither side. It’s clear that he has spent a lot of time researching and his passion for the topic is evident.

This is not the book to read if you’re interested in knowing more about Culloden after visiting the battlefields and/or reading/watching Outlander. It’s not an intense read, but it’s heavy and requires concentration. You need to pay attention and not pick it up and put it down a lot. However; if you have a keen interest in military history, Scottish history or military campaigns then 1745 is for you.

1745 - A Military History of the Last Jacobite Rising by Stuart Reid was Book 4 in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Military/War Theme’. To play along go to #ktbookbingo it @kt_elder on Instagram.

[Peter Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, short, even handed description of the military side of the '45, unusual that it is written mostly from the Hanoverian point of view. This means that it is largely free of the romanticism often associated with books on the Jacobites.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a good look at the '45. Like most revolts, there are many things going on behind the scenes that hopefully come together to make it work. Reid takes the reader into the many facets of the Uprising on the Scottish, English and French sides. He reviews the leaders, how good, bad or indifferent they were. The armies and their makeup and effectiveness. How well the Clansmen's claymores were against the English cannon and muskets at Culloden. The lay of the field at Culloden made quite a difference in how the Scot's attacked and altered their chance for a victory.