Battle of Bannockburn, 1314 [Illustriert] [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

The Battle of Bannockburn has had a major impact on the Scottish psyche, to the point where it forms the basis of the unofficial national anthem "Flower of Scotland". After all, a Scottish guerrilla army of 5,000 foot and a small force of cavalry defeated an English army of 15,000 foot and 2,500 cavalry.

Nusbacher's very readable account takes a fresh look at the events preceding and during the battle, and presents some re-interpretations of how events unfolded. The backgrounds of the main protagonists, Scotland's King Robert the Bruce and England's Edward II, along with that of their supporters, are clearly outlined. He describes the military equipment available to each side and explains the logistical issues faced by each of them. Getting a large mediaeval army from England to Scotland was quite an exercise!

The book is well illustrated, including a number of maps. However, relating the explanations to the maps was more difficult than it should have been and I feel that one good clear map of the battle area would have served better.

The climax of the book, the battle itself, is the highlight. The account captures the atmosphere and provides a full explanation of the battle and its outcomes. For people who who are interested in this historical event, the book provides a good read and some fascinating insights into the military techniques, logistics and culture of that time.

After reading Aryeh Nusbacher's book on Battle of Bannockburn, I am left wondering exactly what was the purpose of this book. The book is only 239 pages and only less then one third of the book deal with the Bannockburn campaign and battle. Rest of the book is filled with background material of mini-biographies and military history prior to the campaign. I am forced to reconsidered that maybe this book was strictly written for first time reader since most of the stuff written in this book is basically at a novice level. Due to the basic level of writing, to most veteran readers of Scottish or English history of this period, you will find nothing noteworthy or insightful in this book.

While that itself won't have bother me as much as the author take a very "half empty" approach to the battle. He doesn't seem to take whole deal of stock into Bannockburn as primer to Scottish independence from English hegemony during that period. He writes in the book that the battle is famous for it victory over the English but for little else since Robert Bruce's final achievements still lies years away or ironically speaking, never achieved. It was this type of approach that bother me (or to anyone else) since it pretty clear that Bannockburn guarantee Scottish freedom, gave Robert Bruce a total free hand in Scotland as well as total freedom of action. Perhaps the author forgot that soon after Bannockburn, Scots were raiding into northern England at will and even partake an invasion of Ireland for Edward Bruce's claim to Irish kingship. Robert Bruce goes from king in hiding before Bannockburn to "let make my brother King of Ireland" after Bannockburn. Did I miss something here or did this battle really changed the entire military and political climate in northern British Isles?? For the remainder of Edward II's reign, Scotland and Robert Bruce ruled the roost in the north, all thanks to the result of Bannockburn. But for some reason, the author does not see it that way if you read his introduction on page 17 or his conclusion. The author's approach to this book and its main subject matter is strangely too modern. Scotland as a medieval kingdom is not a modern state and one of the great errors of this author made was that he tried to judge Robert Bruce's Scotland to a modern state when he make his final assessment. This passive negative approach does great disservice to the subject at hand.

Overall, its not a bad book for a novice although the author have such a negative outlook on the entire subject matter. However, I would actually recommend a book published by Osprey Campaign series on the campaign and battle of Bannockburn as a superior alternative to this book for novice readers.