Serjeant Donald Macleod was quite the character, with great longevity, incredible fighting skills, and a knack for meeting important people and becoming friendly with them. He served in many regiments of the British Army, fighting in several theatres of war across Europe and North America, and engaging in many duels along the way. The Memoirs were published in his 103rd year, to raise income to help support him in his old age.
The Memoirs cover not only Macleod's engagement in war, but his early life in Skye, his apprenticeship to stonemasons in Inverness, and his escape to Perth before he joined the army at the age of 12. The tales of his time in the army, and his several attempts at retirement, are entertaining while showing many of the important British and global issues of the 18th century.
This book contains a full transcription of the original Memoirs, and also a companion essay by Keith Farrell, examining the historical accuracy of the Memoirs, and debating the question of whether the Memoirs are a work of fiction or if they were indeed the memories of an old and well-accomplished Highland soldier.
Keith Farrell is one of the senior instructors for the Academy of Historical Arts, based in Scotland. He teaches HEMA professionally, often at international events, and has an interest in coaching instructors to become better teachers. He has authored Scottish Broadsword and British Singlestick and the AHA German Longsword Study Guide, and is one of the regular contributors to the Encased in Steel online blog. He has been a member of HEMAC since 2011.
Book Details:
- Original Author: William Thomson
- Reproduction Editor: Keith Farrell
- Reproduction Publisher: Fallen Rook Publishing
- Date of Publication: 17th May 2016
- ISBN: 978-0-9934216-1-7
- Binding: Perfect-Bound Paperback
- Pages: 123
- Height: 21 cm
- Width: 14.8 cm
- Language: English
Available to purchase through the Academy of Historical Arts online store, from Lulu.com, or from Amazon.co.uk!