This is a bad book. There is next to nothing about the battle for the Central Highlands (10 pages tops). The writing style is annoying; the author writes as if he is floating through (and slightly above) the events he relates. There is zero humanity. For instance, about halfway through the book, the author "gets his family settled" at a new duty station. The book started with him at 15 years of age. When and where he acquired a family is, and will remain, a mystery.

The book is also in serious need of an editor. There are numerous examples of the same sentence groups appearing from 1 to 3 times as a given topic is explored again. It's like copy and paste was overused on the word processor.

Finally, the oft repeated praise of Ed Sprauge goes far beyond admiration or even hero worship. It's absolutely cloying. Enough already.

Save your money for a better purchase.

I have read this book three times. It should go into every history library there is about the Vietnam War. I am a Special Forces Veteran and knew a couple of the guys mentioned. The book is all facts and no fiction.

A very thoughtful and detailed look at a difficult and historically miligned period. The book doesn't pull any punches and presents an honest and frank view the war. Dooley has a excellent command of the facts and presents a point-of-view that is both compassionate and understanding.

Everyone has heard about the potato famines that drove the many Irish immigrants to North America, but what about their celtic sisters and brothers in Scotland? Was it the clearances or was it the disasterous battle at Culloden in 1745? Hunter's book looks not only at the myriad of issues that emptied the highlands, but also at how the Scotts got to North American and what happened to them when they got there. Hunter explains not only the economic factors in Scotland, but also the brutal conditions that many Scots endured during their passage to Canada and the United States. He looks at the political issues in Scotland, England, Canada and the United State. He examines how they survived and why what they did often depended on when and where they landed. Early emmigrants tended to have money whereas those coming later had next to nothing. Hunter tells you about the businesses that they started, the communities that they built and the leadership that they provide even today to new continent. A Dance Called America opens your eyes to a group of people rarely considered when examining the settlement of North America. While anyone interested in history will enjoy this book, those of Scottish descent will find it particularly interesting

Some books like some movies stay with you. I learned so much about what happened in Scotland from Hunter's very interesting accounts. This book has made the kind of impression that compells me to reread it and loan it to others. It's a keeper in my bookcase now for reference. Now I am in the process of visiting those places both in Scotland and in America where these displaced peoples were sent.

James Hunter has written a great book on Scottish immigration to North America. He strikes a very good balance between Scottish events that determined why people emmigrated, and the different experiences of these gaelic pioneers.

Different periods of emmigration and settlements of Scottish immigrants are covered. The research is very detailed but thankfully doesn't result in statistics which will bore you. Rather Hunter concentrates on the actual experiences of notable settlers and explorers. It's a descriptive account that brings the period alive. I found the description of the quarantine station at Grosse Ile and Cholera Bay to be particularly moving.

This book is more than a chronicle of the hardships, challenges and frustrations that these early settlers had to endure. It reminds us of their achievements and significant contributions. You can appreciate them that much more knowing of their suffererings in a tough, new land.

I'd be giving this book five stars, but I would have liked some maps and I found the chapter on Craigellachie to wander a little bit. But this is still a wonderful book. If you're interested in Scotland or have any Scottish ancestors, add this book to your collection.

This is the first book I've read by May McGoldrick and I'm happy I bought the rest of the series to find how this all turns out. Actually this book ties in with a book called "Flame" so I'm going to go back and read theat one first. The hero in this story appears in it and so it may give me more insight to his character.

This is the story of the oldest of three sisters, Catherine Percy. She is fleeing for her life to Scotland the homeland of her mother after her father is killed as a traitor to England. She and her sisters separate to protect themselves and a treasure which they and their mother know its where abouts. She is going to open a school with several brothers. She is also going to be protected by John Stewart, Lord Athol.

John has just found out some very disturbing news about his fathers past and has just reluctantly agreed to finally marry. His intended bride meets up with Catherine on the way. When they reach the keep the bride to be cons Catherine into switching rooms with her. Catherine does and soon is awakened by John making love to her. She is shocked and so is he but he decides to marry Catherine instead. She resists but eventually gives in.

Soon passion consumes them both and they realize that they love each other very much. In order for them to find bliss however they both must overcome enemies and stay ever villigant.

This is a fast paced book that can be easily read in one afternoon. I enjoyed the secondary characters and look forward to reading about the other sisters.

Well i got this book from a friends mom and for lack of anything else to read I started it. Thought it would be something I might just read a few pages of. That wasn't the case. I read it in 24 hours! And I've just bought the other two books in the trilogy. If you like romance and historical novels, you will really enjoy this. Good reading!

In spite of her initial objection to a forced marriage, Catherine Percy fell deeply in love with her husband, John Stewart, the Earl of Athol and he with her. Not only is their journey of discovery of love such a pleasure to read but husband and wife were so attuned to each other in times of danger, you'll feel like cheering them on when you read.

Besides, John Stewart was unaware that he had an illegitimate brother, Adam, who was plaguing him because Adam thought John was the man responsible for sending him to prison years ago. Instead of seeking revenge, John warmly accepted his brother and the bond that came to be forged between the two brothers was so touching, it brought a lump to my throat.

The first book of the Highland Treasure Trilogy also contains the mischievous "leading the villains on a wild goose chase" by the Percy sisters.

"The Dreamer" is highly recommended and a "must-read" for those who have only read "The Enchantress" and "The Firebrand" because "The Dreamer" is undoubtedly the Best Of The Three!

I liked the story told in this book. About a female laird (a woman warrior) who forced a Scottish knight into marriage to stop the war between their 2 clans.
I disliked that the knight in some parts of the story has been described as an idot, who doesn't have any pride our own will. To me he was not the character of a real Scottish Highlander.
The woman on the other hand appeared sometimes very strong and brave and then again very weak.

Although the premise for this book was interesting, I found it didn't always follow through. The animosity between the hero and heroine was gone too swiftly, the villain was obvious and sort of contrived, as was the resolution. Only so-so.

HIGHLAND BRIDE was a delicious blend of well researched history, lively character development, page turning action, and steamy sensuality. The heroine, Madlin, is strong, capable, beautiful, yet believable. She is the woman inside all of us. She meets her match with the handsome, heroic Ewan, the man in every woman's dreams. When the two finally find themselves in each others' arms the reader is breathing as heavily as the two lovers. I am counting on a sequel!

I loved this story. I had never heard of Terri Lynn Wilhelm when I bought this book. I was interested in buying it when I saw that it was set in the Scottish Highlands, which is my favorite story setting. I took a chance...and was not disappointed. Ms. Wilhelm has an extraordinary talent for storytelling, her stories flow quickly and easily and her detailed descriptions of everything from the setting to the characters' emotions really allow you to get caught up in the story. The 2 lead characters are both strong, brave, honorable and currently in trouble. Hero was once wealthy, until her mother remarried. Now she finds herself lost and alone in the wild higlands of Scotland searching for her aunt after having escaped the poverty of London, not to mention a pair of lecherous hands. She meets up with Ciaran, who is escaping a band of blood thirsty Highlanders bent on seeing him die. Their paths cross. Hero asks for his help in searching for her elusive aunt and Ciaran finds he must help her for fear that she goes about it alone - again. In the process of Ciaran's helping Hero find her aunt, they find themselves falling in love with each other. Ciaran does not want this to happen as he feels his days are numbered with the MacDubhair clan's slaughtering his whole clan and him being the sole survivor and hunted by them. Once Hero gets past her initial fears she decides she wants him. To keep. So when Ciaran does the heart-breakingly noble thing by not touching her and leaving her behind so he can go off and basically get himself killed - she does not allow it.

I won't tell you any more of the story but its a definite must read. The emotions the characters feel are very clearly described throughout.

Highland Jewel was both romantic and excitingly full of suspense. I could not put the book down and yet I did not want it to end. It would be so nice if Miss Wilhelm would write a sequel.

Highland Jewel has everything--a wonderful, unusual setting, a spunky, loveable heroine, and an unforgettable hero. It also has a tender--and quite sexy!--romance between two strong, exciting characters. You'll hate to see their story end. I've read other books by this author, and I loved them all. She completely captures the feel of the Highlands--and she uses both humor and deep emotion in every story. I especially love her heroes. They aren't just gorgeous men. They always have a special, tragic nobility, too.

Death of a Travelling Man is the first I've read of the Hamish MacBeth series, and it doesn't particularly inspire me to go back for seconds. Both the titular sleuth, an easygoing yet somewhat crotchety everyman police officer, and the small Scottish town of Lockdubh, while not the simply enchanting hamlet the PR material would have one believe, have promise, but the story is unambitious and largely mediocre, and the book's cavalier attitude toward its crimes and victims - impatient, desultory, and eventually devolving to the point where what is essentially a rape is milked for laughs - derails it. Could've used more compassion and depth, a bit more investment in its setting and characters; the resolution of the mystery is rather trite as well. Don't bother.

Hamish is trying to deal with his promotion and new constable Willie. Willie is a clean freak and is driving the laconic Hamish crazy. The police station is also abnormally busy. Two travellers arrive in the village in a beat up bus. Everyone but Hamish seems to be charmed by the couple. The local reverend even lets him park his bus on the grass next to the manse. Then odd crimes occur. Money is stolen from the Mother's Union fund, and morphine is missing from Dr. Brodie's office. Priscilla's scarf is taken, then found, and finally, the Currie sisters have put their house up for sale. Mrs. Brodie, Mrs. Wellington, and Jessie Currie are miserable. Hamish thinks that it has something to do with the Travelling Man. Soon after, Sean turns up dead, beaten to death with a sledge hammer. Hamish is terribly afraid that one of the villagers committed the crime.

This was a funny mystery. Hamish is lazy on the outside and busy in his mind as usual. Willie's romance with the beautiful Lucia is hysterical. I love the way his scrubs his way into her heart. Hamish's devious solving of the crime without effort or getting promoted is very entertaining.

"Death of a Travelling Man" is the ninth Hamish Macbeth mystery by M. C. Beaton, a series set in the Scottish highlands in the town of Lochdubh. Hamish has been promoted to sergeant, and has a helper in P.C. Willie Lamont. With so little crime in Lochdubh Willie is usually either cleaning the station or spending time at the Italian restaurant with the lovely Lucia. Sean Gourlay and his girlfriend Cheryl Higgins roll into Lochdubh in an old bus converted into a travelling home. Hamish knows they are trouble and orders them to leave. The townspeople think he is being too harsh, and the pair soon park their bus in back of minister Wellington's home. Soon after their arrival, many of the women of the town start acting strangely. Four vials of morphine vanish from Dr. Brodie's office and one hundred pounds disappear from the Mother's Union. Then Sean is found murdered in the bus. Who killed him? Was it one of the women of the town whom Sean had been blackmailing? Was it Willie Lamont, who learns that Lucia had kissed Sean Gourlay? Could it have been Sean's girlfriend, Cheryl? Hamish once again sorts through everything and solves the murder. An interesting turn takes place in Hamish's relationship with Priscilla Halburton-Smythe. "Death of a Travelling Man" is an excellent novel and a very entertaining read.

I am really enjoying this series. The series started with "The Dreamer" which was the story of the oldest of three sisters. Now in this second book we have Laura's story. Laura is the practical one of the three. She is always planning. She is exactly opposite the hero of the tale, William, the reluctant Laird of Blackfearn. William has been asked to escort Laura to safety. He thinks that she will be a quiet lass and is both horrified and thrilled to find her a strong, willful, exciting woman. He is strongly attracted to her but has no desire to be tied down. He is having enough trouble coming to terms with the fact that he is now Laird of his clan.

Laura is in danger and she must rely on William to protect her even though she wants nothing to do with him. She is drawn to him and soon finds herself lost without him. She must help him overcome his fears that he is not good enough to be Laird. She must also keep her secret safe at all costs.

This is an exciting story. One that will make you laugh and cry. I found the characters were so well written they came alive. I actually enjoyed this book just a tad bit more than the first and I can't wait to read the last in the series, "The Firebrand". This husband and wife team are wonderful writters and I look forward to more from them.

If I had known there were more books to this one- I would had started with those- I will look for them! All I can say about this author--WOW!! Am looking forward to future releases!

I read the first book in this trilogy, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint! I read it in a single sitting, and am eagerly awaiting "The Firebrand." The characters were interesting and believable, and so was the love story -- not a given, these days. I heartily recommend this book and the others in the series!

The Hamish Macbeth mysteries are most noteable for their Scottish highland settings, light tone and rapid plot progression, and lack of detail- characteristics that assure they can be read in one day, if not in one sitting. "Charming Man" is an unexceptional entry in which Macbeth investigates a crime- that may not even have occured- by jumping from one conclusion to the next armed, not with facts, but with good old highland instinct. The plotting and logic fall below Beaton's usual standards, with the twist ending particularly unconvincing. Still, another visit from these lovable characters is always welcome.

"Death of a Charming Man" is the 10th Hamish Macbeth mystery by M.C. Beaton. Hamish is now engaged to the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe. Priscilla is making changes to make Hamish more respectable, and it is cramping his style. Hamish travels to the small village of Drim which is in his territory to check out a very handsome and rich Englishman, Peter Hynd, who has moved there. The middle-aged women of Drim are all going to the hairdresser and taking aerobics classes in order to impress Mr. Hynd. He is even sleeping with some of the women, most of whom are married. Suddenly he disappears from Drim, and sells his house. Hamish senses that something is wrong and believes that Peter Hynd may be dead, and possibly murdered, perhaps by a jealous husband from the village. To get away from Lochdubh and Priscilla, he vacations in Drim to try to find out exactly what happened to Peter Hynd. This was not my favorite Hamish Macbeth novel, but it is an important one in the personal life of Hamish, and is a good read.

I really like Hamish MacBeth and I like the way M.C. Beaton develops her characters. I am definiely reading these out of order, so I am coming to the engagement of Hamish and Priscilla somewhat out of season, but I am impressed with the way that Beaton develops the serious ambivalence in their relationship and the poignant loss at the end of the novel at the same time that she is able to have some very funny, lighthearted scenes.

There is a lot of human sadness here--I really felt for the poor, excitement starved women of Drim who yearn so much for the Charming Man of the title. I was also really drawn to the child, Heather, old beyond her years with Celtic wisdom.

I really like the layers of meaning and strength of the characters in these books.

Even though I liked Tess, there was something not quite right about the story. It didn't focus enough on the love story. It was all about their hiding. It got much better when they stopped hiding and Tess was captured. Also, her family was hilarious!

I found this book to be only an "OK" book. I found myself skipping over a lot of it... never a good sign. There was not enough sexual tension between the two and the plot regarding the treason was never really very interesting to me. The hero, Revan, did not make me "sigh" like a good romantic hero should. I like a good story full of romance and adventure, but this one seemed to drag along a little too much for my taste.

When you read this book you will be transported back in time. The characters are so real you never want the book to end.

I find most mysteries confusing: Too many characters, too many plots and subplots, just a little too much work for a good read, but this one is okay. There's a murder, (of course), that takes place near a Scottish fishing lodge. Chief Inspector Barrett and Detective-Chief Superintendent of New Scotland Yard, Erskine Powell, are vacationing there and enjoying a premiere salmon-fishing spot when they are thrust into a melting pot of potential killers, shady characters, and suspicious suspects everywhere. The plot thickens and spreads it's arteries ever outward when a fishing buddy of Detective Powell's is also nearly killed in the same manner & circumstances as the late Charles Murray, owner of Castle Glyn Estate, located nearby. What I truly enjoyed the most were the delicately embroidered descriptions of the Highlands, the fishing lodge, and Scotland itself. This author has a good relationship with adjectives. I would read Graham Thomas again, given the fact this was his first book, a good read, and with his writing style, he will be sure to get better and better.

If you really want to read a mystery that has a lot of information about Scotland and fly fishing, you will enjoy this book. I thought it was so-so. Among British fictional detectives, I very much prefer Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford or Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks.

This is the first book by Graham Thomas that I have read so maybe it is not fair to say only fair. I was not held in suspense waiting for something else to happen. Erskine Powell is a Detective-Chief Superintendent of Scotland Yard. He goes on an annual fishing trip and this is where the crimes take place. There are may suspects but Chief Superintrendent Powell finally figures it all out. I did not feel as close to Scotland as I feel with either M. C. Beaton's Hamish MacBeth series or Rhys Bowen's Evans series. Doubt if I try another Thomas.