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975 reviews for:
Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure like No Other
Graham McTavish, Sam Heughan
3.99 AVERAGE
975 reviews for:
Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure like No Other
Graham McTavish, Sam Heughan
3.99 AVERAGE
I listened to this on audio, which I highly recommend. Fans of Outlander and enthusiasts of Scottish culture will enjoy this fun travelogue. Having the authors narrate the audiobook works brilliantly. The book shines most when it hones in on key moments in Scottish history. Some of the jokes and forays into the authors' history became repetitive and tiresome at times, but overall, this was a fun travel book with humor and history sprinkled in.
Oooof, DNF at 60%. Buyer beware. I am a fan of the Outlander books. I like the show as well. So i thought this book sounded like fun. It was awful.
At first I had trouble with the print version because it reads like a transcript of a conversation and doesn't feels very organized. So, as many reviewers suggest, i got the audiobook.
At first I am irked by the way Graham McTavish's preferences for lattes, nice wine and a comfortable bed are gendered by repeatedly calling him "Lady McTavish." Then I start to think, "geez, i had no idea McTavish was such an Eeyore" -- in the audio, his persona comes across not as a charming curmudgeon so much as whiny pessimistic complainer. So I am struggling and almost give up at about 30%. But I keep going, thinking all these great reviews must see something I don't. Nope.
The book careens from road trip to self-promotion to Scottish history to personal history to professional history again via self-promotion without much framing or context or obvious organization -- it's like a stream-of-consciousness backseat ride in someone else's not very interesting, partially explained story. Heughan comes off slightly better than McTavish, but yuck.
With the constant misogyny (calling each other women as an insult is not entertaining) and the "casual" homophobic content, I quit. Returned the audio for a refund, and will find something appropriate to do with the hardcopy. Waste of time and money.
At first I had trouble with the print version because it reads like a transcript of a conversation and doesn't feels very organized. So, as many reviewers suggest, i got the audiobook.
At first I am irked by the way Graham McTavish's preferences for lattes, nice wine and a comfortable bed are gendered by repeatedly calling him "Lady McTavish." Then I start to think, "geez, i had no idea McTavish was such an Eeyore" -- in the audio, his persona comes across not as a charming curmudgeon so much as whiny pessimistic complainer. So I am struggling and almost give up at about 30%. But I keep going, thinking all these great reviews must see something I don't. Nope.
The book careens from road trip to self-promotion to Scottish history to personal history to professional history again via self-promotion without much framing or context or obvious organization -- it's like a stream-of-consciousness backseat ride in someone else's not very interesting, partially explained story. Heughan comes off slightly better than McTavish, but yuck.
With the constant misogyny (calling each other women as an insult is not entertaining) and the "casual" homophobic content, I quit. Returned the audio for a refund, and will find something appropriate to do with the hardcopy. Waste of time and money.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Get the audiobook. Trust me. The banter back and forth between these two is hilarious. This book had everything I enjoy: humor, history, entertaining, and engaging.
I picked up this book looking for vicarious traveling though Scotland, which it is not. While I’ve read all the Outlander books and watched the first few seasons of the show, I’m not An Outlander Fan – which is clearly the intended audience.
The travel is actually quite scant. It’s only a couple of days and maybe a dozen locations, most of which seem to tie with product placements. What travelogue is present is drowned out by actor memoir and Outlander fandom.
I ended up skimming most of the book and armchair diagnosing the Outlander cast with alcohol abuse syndrome, but True Outlander Fans will probably love it.
I’d be curious how much of it was ghost written. If they wrote it themselves, I’m impressed. I wasn’t interested in the content, but the writing was enjoyable and easy to read. If they (particularly Graham McTavish) ever want to write a true travelogue or history, I’d be willing to give it a go.
The travel is actually quite scant. It’s only a couple of days and maybe a dozen locations, most of which seem to tie with product placements. What travelogue is present is drowned out by actor memoir and Outlander fandom.
I ended up skimming most of the book and armchair diagnosing the Outlander cast with alcohol abuse syndrome, but True Outlander Fans will probably love it.
I’d be curious how much of it was ghost written. If they wrote it themselves, I’m impressed. I wasn’t interested in the content, but the writing was enjoyable and easy to read. If they (particularly Graham McTavish) ever want to write a true travelogue or history, I’d be willing to give it a go.
Just what I needed, laughs! A fun and entertaining read, especially those who are Outlander fans or those interested in Scottish history.
4.5/5! One of the most incredible storytelling experiences! You HAVE to listen to the audiobook. The wit and charisma between Sam and Graham is phenomenal. If you love the Outlander series, you’ll love this book.
It’s written well enough, but it’s basically a way to market a TV show rather than travelogue more connected to the people and rich history of Scotland (which was what I was hoping for).
The hilarious banter between Sam and Graham is the very best part of this book, but its exploration of Scotland's history and culture is enjoyable as well. It does contain significant spoilers for the first 3 seasons of the Outlander show and there are many references that would be strange to someone unfamiliar with the series.