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British History in Perspective
Jacobitism
The last genuine rebellion on British soil, the Jacobite rising of 1745 forms one of the greatest 'what ifs' of British history. If Bonnie Prince Charlie's troops had defeated the forces of George II, it is fair to say that the entire subsequent course of the country's history would have been dizzyingly changed.
Jacobitism is a comprehensive study of the Stuart dynasty's attempts to regain the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland in the eighteenth century. It provides not only a history of the Jacobite cause and the Risings but also studies of Jacobite culture, the financing of Jacobitism, the Jacobite diaspora and Jacobitism and nationalism, as well as a critical review of the major changes in Jacobite scholarship this century.
Jacobitism is a comprehensive study of the Stuart dynasty's attempts to regain the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland in the eighteenth century. It provides not only a history of the Jacobite cause and the Risings but also studies of Jacobite culture, the financing of Jacobitism, the Jacobite diaspora and Jacobitism and nationalism, as well as a critical review of the major changes in Jacobite scholarship this century.
- GenresHistory
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 1998
52 people want to read
About the author
Murray Pittock
61 books16 followersMurray G.H. Pittock FRSE is a cultural historian, Bradley Professor of Literature and Pro Vice Principal (Special Projects) at the University of Glasgow.
He was previously Professor of Scottish and Romantic Literature and Deputy Head of Arts at the University of Manchester, the first professor of Scottish Literature at an English university. He has been a visiting fellow at universities worldwide including: New York University (2015), Notre Dame (2014), Charles University, Prague (2010); Trinity College, Dublin (2008); the University of Wales in advanced Welsh and Celtic studies (2002), and Yale (1998, 2000–01).
He was previously Professor of Scottish and Romantic Literature and Deputy Head of Arts at the University of Manchester, the first professor of Scottish Literature at an English university. He has been a visiting fellow at universities worldwide including: New York University (2015), Notre Dame (2014), Charles University, Prague (2010); Trinity College, Dublin (2008); the University of Wales in advanced Welsh and Celtic studies (2002), and Yale (1998, 2000–01).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 2, 2024
This note is on fourth reading. First time around I knew less about Jacobite history and I struggled with this book a little. Second time around, with a better feeling for the narrative of the period, I enjoyed this book much more for providing a reflective summary of the sources and expression of support for a Jacobite restoration. On the basis that you know the rough outline of the main flow (1688 to 1715 to 1745) this is an excellent companion piece.
June 30, 2017
Really great in depth intro to the Jacobite movement, spanning the entire duration.
August 22, 2020
Second time reading this, and I've raised by review from 3 to 4 stars. Since first reading I've read a little more about the basic narrative history of the Jacobite risings (particularly the 45), and this helps the book make more sense. This book is not that narrative history, and I think this is what I found slightly disappointing first time around.
So if you're looking for something to bring you up to speed with the basics look elsewhere (Jacqueline Riding's "Jacobites" is really good for the 45).
What this book does do well however, is cover in surprising depth (bearing in mind how small the book is) the social and economic background to Jacobitism - who supported the cause, and why. It neatly scotches the view that the 45 in particular was a purely Highland phenomenon, covering both Lowland and English Jacobitism too.
In short a useful book, but one to be read once you already know the basics.
So if you're looking for something to bring you up to speed with the basics look elsewhere (Jacqueline Riding's "Jacobites" is really good for the 45).
What this book does do well however, is cover in surprising depth (bearing in mind how small the book is) the social and economic background to Jacobitism - who supported the cause, and why. It neatly scotches the view that the 45 in particular was a purely Highland phenomenon, covering both Lowland and English Jacobitism too.
In short a useful book, but one to be read once you already know the basics.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews