2 comments about West Higland Galley.

1. Rixon is a no-nonsense historian who conducted impeccable research for this excellent book. The history of the highland galley has received very little attention from historians and Rixon uses the minimal evidence we have to hammer out a scholarly, yet interestingly readable book. This is a well written piece of work and will serve as a primary source for future work on the subject.

   My only critic is that many of Rixon's "conclusions" seem to be biased toward Viking superiority and a minimization of possible contributions made by the "gael-gall" clans, namely the island warrior-prince known as Somerled MacGilbride. He stays responsibly loyal to historical method (as he should), however one must entertain the historical "possibilities" of the contributions made by Clan Donald tradition, such as the hinged rudder design attributed to Somerled (he did defeat the Viking longships of Godred Crovan with his highland galleys in 1156). The importance and significance of the galley as an instrument of the Lordship of the Isles could also have received more attention.




2. This book is a great cornucopia of information on the Scottish Long ships, Birlinns or Galleys. I love the history of the Scottish Isles and especially the MacDonalds. This book helps explain the origin and history of the once great and common Galleys around the Isles. They were a power to be reckoned with yet also a source of livelihood. Denis Rixson has divided the book into two parts: The first is the history starting with the development and rise to power of the Norwegian or Viking craft and then through the Mediaeval period through the Middle ages and finally to the Decline and Demise. The author explains the manning, numbers and sizes of the different craft and some of the historical battles. In part II the Evidence is given. The Carved stones, heraldic devices, evidence in language and literary sources and basic boat building and navigation seen today. It is amazing that not a single Highland Galley exists today. Only the replica "Aileach" built recently using the resources of today. An amazing story that has just begun to be told.

No comments about Deer-stalking and the deer forests of Scotland,.

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5 comments about The Fiery Cross.

1. Ah, everything you dreamed about having in a relationship with a man, everything you want to be as a woman, and enough adventure to carry the story well along to the end of the book. I am on the third in the series and so far, this is her absolute best. Even though she struggles more to create the story I have fallen in love with her characters and won't stop reading until I have read them all. I will reread them, too. I was once told that if you find you dream about a book, then it is a very powerful book. It's a verra good read and I canna recommend it enough.



2. I bought this for my wife. This is her third time through the series. She decided that it is easier to buy them than to continue to check them out at the local library, as she intends to read the series several more times. It must be really good.



3. FIREY CROSS has a riveting title, but as a fascinating read it ends right there. Any author has a dud ever once-in-a-while, but this story reads more like it was written to fulfil a contract or to appease demanding fans who are impatient for the story to move on.
   It begins at the ending of DRUMS OF AUTUMN and takes us through rather modernistic philosophy or attitudes of middle age and early marrage. Ms. Gabaldon had best either jump start Brianna and Roger or get rid of them, they interfere with our love affair with Jamie and Clarie. Clarie was smart when she left her spoiled daughter in Scotland.
   Not the best, but I'll take Diana's worst to other historical fiction I've read.
   Nash Black, WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.



4. When I initially read this book, I found some of the details tedious and I would have agreed that this book was the least enjoyable of them all, however, when I read it a second time I slowed down and really payed attention to the details of the story. I think like many people on my first read of new Gabaldon books, I DEVOUR them quickly. This is a book to take your time with. On my second read, I found it much more exciting and intriguing than my inital read where I didn't take the time to follow the story lines as closely as I could have. I find it to be a transitional book- where a transition occurs between the inital part of the series and what will be the later stories of the series. The intial parts of the series appear to be much more fast paced, youthful and full of dangers. As Jamie and Clair age, the story appears to adjust to a more rich and full description of their surroundings, family and locale. I now appreciate the book for what it was meant to do- initiate us into the slower paced environment of the Frasier world. The only reason I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 was because of my initial reaction during my first read. For those who didn't like it, I recommend reading it again slowly.



5. I just finished reading "The Fiery Cross" and I was totally enthralled with it from beginning to end. I, of course, have read the first four books. Twice actually. This one was my favorite. The other books are excellent and exciting. What I really like about "The Fiery Cross" is that it really digs into each of the characters. You really get to know each of them. Like them or not, they're human. You get a look into their lives and what it was like to live in the 1770s. The love story continues between Claire and Jamie, it deepens, and matures and their passion remains...well, passionate. I never thought this book was boring. I could not get enough of Claire and Jamie's world. I loved getting to know Roger and Bree better. I was happily engrossed with this story, so much so that the hours flew by. I would dream about these people what was happening with them. I would find myself thinking about the story all through the day always anxious to get back it. I read because I love a good story, especially a good love story. It's wonderful to get into Diana's books and totally leave the real world behind for a while. This is an excellent continuation of the series. I enjoyed it very much. I recommend it highly.