Customer Reviews:
 Great Read April 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
One of Osprey's best. I would recommend you use this as a companion book
to "Sons of the Mountains" by the same author a more detailed work about the Highland Regiments serving in America. Also The art work in the book is outstanding. If you like reading about the Highlands and Highland Regiments this book and "Sons of the Mountains" are a must.
 Highlander in the French-Indian War February 23, 2008
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
Entertaining book,yet many historic inaccuracies throughout the book. Esspecially the paintings of the 77th Highland uniforms, the artist took "artistic liberities" in what the uniform should look like. What documentation was used in writing this book? Also, the layout of the Highlander's uniform and gear pictures a Masonic apron. In the Apron is a modern Masonic symbol, with the "G" which was not placed within the Masonic symbols until almost the 19th century.
Once again, this book was fun to read, but should not be used as a primary source for research, as there is little or no documentation for the author's research.
'Recruit the Highland Lads!' February 23, 2008
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is very possibly the best book from Osprey Military Publishing I have ever read. I have never found any of them to be half as captivating as this one, yet in the same breath it is thoroughly researched and packed with information on the topic.
As the title indicates, this book's focus is on the three regiments of Highland infantry who were recruited for service in the New World, and experienced the hellish fighting and campaigning of the French-Indian War. Most of the original recruits were about 18 in age, and were sons of the Highlanders who had charged the Moor of Culloden. The only way the new generation of Highlanders could take to the battlefield in kilt and plaid with the traditional weapons of their forefathers was if they fought afield for the Crown, and so many were urged to 'go for a soldier' by their families.
The author takes a fresh new look at the Highlanders serving in America, and the British world in general in the 18th Century. He dispells with some common misconceptions and stereotypes, like that all the Highlanders were giants and born warriors (most were reluctant young farmers standing about 5'4'').
Just some of the many fascinating topics explored in this book are the Highlanders' training, the finer details of their dress and weaponry, their medicines and diets, their tactics and the bloody experiences of Indian fighting, as well as their relationships with their comrades, women, religion, other ethnic groups, and even the wild animals of the Frontier.
The color plates, by the talented Steve Noon, are some of the best I have yet seen from Osprey. Unfortunately, we only get 7 of them, but they are all colorful and detailed, and some contain hidden humor. The 4 battle-scenes in particular are excellent; the artist does a breathtaking job capturing the raw emotions and expressions of the sword-wielding Highlanders as they clash with the French and the Indians.
This book is the first in a new (and in my opinion, a much more attractive) Warrior format. Some of the photographs and drawings are in color, a first for Osprey. Also, like some other recent Warrior titles, the color plates are scattered throughout the text rather than grouped together in the center as in most Osprey books; I find that I like this better, especially since plate commentaries are next to the paintings instead of at the back of the book.
In short, this is a detailed, highly informative, hard-to-put-down, and beautifully illustrated guide to the young Highlanders who left their homes for the other side of the earth, some because they were made to, others because they longed for adventure or the chance to avenge their clans' honor. It is a must for anyone interested in Scottish military history or the French-Indian Wars, and serves as something of a sequel to Osprey's many valuable titles on the Jacobite Revolts and the Culloden Campaign.
 Good Overview of Forgotten Battalions February 13, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This booklet is a useful synopsis of the much larger 2 volume set, "Sons of the Mountains", and as such represents decent value for the price. It sets out the findings of original research and restates known but ignored facts, blessedly avoiding the repetition of myths, particularly with reference to events within the former 13 colonies. The three Scottish units covered, the Royal 42nd, the 77th (Montgomery's), and the 78th (Fraser's) soldiered through many hard years of campaigning throughout the canadas and the lower (13)colonies during the French-Indian/7 Years War period. The murderous battles, long debilitating marches through the wilderness, and effects of disease claimed more than 80% of their initial strength, a sobering reminder of the price the infantry invariably pay in war. All in all a good read with plenty of interesting tales to tell.
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