| the trojan bunny | 12 Sep 2009 9:22 a.m. PST |
I'm looking for some good books on the Border Reivers. I have Fraser's The Steel Bonnets, but what else is out there? Thanks, Mike. |
| willthepiper | 12 Sep 2009 10:13 a.m. PST |
Steel Bonnets is probably the best book out there, even if is it a few years old now. There is an Osprey as well, if you can get your hands on it take a look at the bibliography for more ideas. |
| daghan | 12 Sep 2009 11:25 a.m. PST |
Try 'Reivers' by Alisdair Moffat.It's only a few years old and a better read than Ramblin' Geordie Fraser. |
| Sane Max | 12 Sep 2009 11:43 a.m. PST |
Thats one heck of a Claim – really Charla? Pat |
| Richard1967 | 12 Sep 2009 4:43 p.m. PST |
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aecurtis  | 12 Sep 2009 4:46 p.m. PST |
(n.b.) Alistair Moffat has written some interesting stuff, and his "Reivers" ain't bad, but man, there's no comparison. ITV's series was based on Moffat's book, tho': link Allen |
| daghan | 13 Sep 2009 2:47 a.m. PST |
Pat: Yes. It was a subjective comment. But I find Fraser's style throughout all his works (incl. Flashman) pretty naff. Which is a pity: with a good stylist Flashman could have been so much better -like 'Little Big Man' the Beranger novel from which Fraser stole the whole Flashman idea. But I digress: there is also Godfrey Watson's 'Border Reivers' with is mainly concerned which March Law; and another, whose title escapes me, but is mainly about economic conditions in the C16th Borders, and is converted from a Ph.D thesis, and is a worse read than Fraser. Charla (as in Charlton) |
| aecurtis | 13 Sep 2009 3:02 p.m. PST |
Thomas Berger wrote "Little Big Man". Garçon means boy. |
| Wizard Whateley | 13 Sep 2009 5:35 p.m. PST |
I'm not sure of anything in particular that he's written on this period, but I'd bet Nigel Tranter covers it. I've read his Montrose trilogy and his book on Somerled, they're good solid history, and entertaining. Do some research and I think you'll find something. |
| aecurtis | 13 Sep 2009 6:15 p.m. PST |
link I'm guessing "The Marchman" and "Warden of the Queen's March" would be, but I'm not a fan. When it comes to fiction for that period, for me it's "P.F. Chisholm"--"A Famine of Horses" and the rest: link Allen |
| the trojan bunny | 13 Sep 2009 9:30 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the suggestions thus far everyone! |
| daghan | 14 Sep 2009 1:53 a.m. PST |
My apologies to Thomas Berger…Still a better read than anything of Fraser's. |
| Oh Bugger | 14 Sep 2009 3:18 p.m. PST |
I thought the Candlemass Road very good-a very different GMF historical novel. |
| Lowtardog | 21 Sep 2009 2:24 a.m. PST |
Candlemass Road was a Fraeser book too wasnt it |
| McSorley | 23 Sep 2009 12:06 p.m. PST |
Why has history and literature glamorized these thugs? They were no better than the mafia, and made honest people's lives a misery. |
| Knockman | 28 Sep 2009 6:21 a.m. PST |
Trojan Bunny,
I have a few items on this subject, along with some other bits 'n' bobs. I'll PM you later when I'm at home. McSorley,
Too true, it was a harsh and cruel period for many, but then many were also deeply involved. We still see it in humanity today, where one section of society is brutalised, they then react in brutal fashion…. |
