Highlander: The History of the Highland Soldier

by Tim Newark

Acclaimed historian Tim Newark tells the story of the Highlanders through the words of the soldiers themselves, from diaries, letters, and journals uncovered from archives in Scotland and around the world. At the Battle of Quebec in 1759, only a few years after their defeat at Culloden, the 78th Highlanders faced down the French guns and turned the battle. At Waterloo, High- landers memorably fought alongside the Scots Greys against Napoleon’s feared Old Guard. In the Crimea, the thin red line stood firm against the charging Russian Hussars and saved the day at Balaclava.

Yet this story is also one of betrayal. At Quebec, General Wolfe remarked that, despite the Highlanders’ courage, it was “no great mischief if they fall.” At Dunkirk in May 1940, the 51st Regiment was left to defend the SOE evacuation at St Valery; though following D-Day, the Highlanders were at the forefront of the fighting through France. It is all history, now: Over the last decade the historic regiments have been dismantled, despite widespread protest.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Scotland, Military History, War

402 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2009

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book detailed far more than I ever knew about the Highland soldier,1745 to the present day, it suffered throughout from several difficulties. The author, whose impeccable research on the subject is worthy of interest to anyone even remotely interested in history, tends to try and make the book more interesting by jumping back and forth in time periods. While this may work well for those who are intimately familiar with the subject matter and more, the names of those involved, it makes for difficult reading.
Hence we are treated to detailed accounts of the Battle of Culloden (one that effectively ended the Jacobite cause) on several different occasions along with the names on both sides. This has the effect on this reader of forcing me to go back and see what earlier points were argued as well as the present ones. Sometimes the author just uses a battle like this one to set the stage for another point of departure. While it appears to be detailed and accurate, the method was tiresome and I felt myself straining to finish the book.
One of the difficult themes in the book is how hard the highland warrior/soldier fought with great valor and honor, in spite of the often negative result. It is somewhat heartbreaking to know that these brave men have dwindled in number over the years, their numbers being decimated in WW I and their fighting being less than spectacular in various parts of WW II such as Normandy but progressed to being part of the final surrender.
In the modern day, the Highland soldier has been almost eclipsed, being absorbed into other regiments. The new Royal Regiment of Scotland was created in 2006, but clearly this is significant in indicating the last stand of the historical Highland soldier. When you read the book and you get this message, you immediately become a Highlander in support of their identity. The author's purpose and result is no less noble than those who have given their all for their continued identity.

[Manray9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at times, but overall rather dull.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was so-so for me.

The Introduction, Chapter 1 (Making Hard Men), Chapter 2 (A Highland Mafia) and Chapter 3 (Loyal and Rebellious) are good synopses of difficult and complex material.

The remainder of the book deals with battles, wars or moments. Newark's style brings history to life, yet there's only so much to be made of pages and pages of battles. I scanned much of this.

There are a few odd things. Page 248 "drum and pipe band" and elsewhere "pipe and drum band". C'mon man - do you really understand your subject? No self-respecting pipe band / pipes and drums (take your pick) would ever say that, or at least none of the ones I have been in.

Pages 260-261 - Description of the Battle of St Julien. The names were baffling. "13th Black Watch and "15th Toronto" - what the ... ? The "13th Black Watch" was in fact the 13th Battalion (the long-winded title was 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion) formed, but not exclusively, soldiers from the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada (The Black Watch). Likewise, the 15th Toronto was the 15th Battalion, which was formed in part from the 48th Highlanders of Canada.

A signature action in this engagement was the Battle of Kitchener's Wood, which involved the 16th Battalion, formed from a number of Canadian Highland regiments. It's difficult to understand why Newark overlooked this action.

[Bill Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview of the Highland soldiers and the history of how they became the backbone of British Army. While there is not a lot of detail it still whets your appetite to find more books to get more detail. Author Tim Newark has put together a book that is easy to read and understand. The end of the book showed how the "woke" politics have tried to change the Highlander units of today. These include trying to get one regiment to stop using a badger pelt as part of their dress uniform, even though a majority of these have been past down for up to 50 years (grandfather to father to son), trying to tell them to stop using seal skins for their sporrans and lastly trying to create a law that the bagpipes and drums could play above 85 decibels. I think this unbelievable. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it, to anyone who wants to get an overview of the role of the Highlander in British Military History.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a regimental history. you need to know that going in.

I read it for the history of the formation of the notion of the Highlander in the late Reformation/early Enlightenment period. After that it is mostly a history of how the regiments were organized, battles fought and brave deeds done.

I enjoyed the incidental information - highland clearances still going on after the Crimea? - but found the regimental history somewhat tedious; hence the lower rating.

If you are a soldier or ex- and want that information it is a well written book loaded with detail. But it isn't for the casual reader.

[Kevin Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but hard to follow at points...

So not being completely knowledgeable about the units covered, there were points that were difficult to follow. The chronology was hard to track and there seemed points that were awkwardly placed (like the businesses created by prior service members). Also, the very end of the book came to an abrupt end with seemingly little on the future of the Highlander units...

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it turns out that I knew very little (nothing really) about this subject. I learned a lot, though I'm not sure how much I'll actually retain. It was interesting for the most part. Occasionally, I was confused and had to go back to review information - especially when merging of different groups was discussed.

There was some editorial issues, but I'll ignore those as it may be an issue with the ebook rather than the "real" book.

[Rick B.H. Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title reads The history of the Highlander, a lot of us have heard the name.. This book will take you through their first battle to their last and show you how they become Legends. The Seaforth, Calgary and Argyll & Sutherland are Units my family have been members all honored and respected.
There will be a few surprises in this book there were many for me.

[John More · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but too fragmented

Great resource for the history of the Highland regiments and their role in the British Empire. But in the later chapters becomes more a recitation of individual incidents and soldiers.

[Daniel Macleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a great read giving a great deal of information on the origin and moulding of some of our nations most notorious fighting outfits. The tales from individual soldiers through the years and how the Highland units evolved through various campaigns is brilliant.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What folly our foolish Westminster government pursued, when they eliminated the Highland Regiments from the British army.

[Scottbarrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have any Scottish roots and enjoy military history you need to read this book. Some things I had no idea that helps me in my pride.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read for Scottish History

Great book. Not your typical regimental history book. Filled with stories and historical accounts. Very good read and I highly recommend it.

[Dane Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what you want it to be. Have read through this 4-5 times.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very boys own pastiche of military history, slapped together from anecdotes, ending with a strange plea against the amalgamation movement in the British army. In the worst breathless tradition of slap-dash journalism, this is sort of like 3 decent magazine articles about military history brought together with an emotional, rather than historical core. I think kids might like it, but I feel an adult will find the writing and the organisation too inane to be enjoyable. Better material on the Highlander is available pretty much anywhere else...

[Miki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting account of the Highland warrior/soldier from 1745 to the present. It's a little dry at times, but taken as a whole, well worth the reading.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good stories, and an easy read, but a very specific interest. About the only people I can recommend this book to are Scotish history re-enactors.