Born Fighting

A wonderfully detailed history of the Scots-Irish people. I especially appreciated how Webb brought out aspects of the Scots-Irish history that tend to be overlooked, such as that as poor Southern whites, the Scots-Irish were just as badly off as Southern blacks. The only thing they had going for them was that they weren't black in an era of segregation. Then civil rights activists came in and alienated poor Southern whites by blaming them, along with more affluent whites, for the plight of the blacks. This naturally enraged the Scots-Irish and turned them from potential allies into bitter enemies of civil rights, because they were being tarred and feathered for oppression they had little to no part in. Even today people rarely show more discriminate between economic classes and simply blame all Southern whites for slavery and segregation. I really appreciated Webb's careful scholarship in bringing this and other historical discrepancies to light. show less

When the author sticks to history (taking large chunks from Churchill and from David Hackett Fischer), the book is very interesting. When he injects his own myopic views, it becomes insufferable. And to suggest, as he does, that white Irish-Scots southerners have had just as many or more problems as freed black slaves is beyond outrageous. Similarly, all the crimes of Andrew Jackson against Native Americans are glossed over by Webb; instead, he maintains that since Jackson once adopted a baby Indian boy (after the massacre of everyone else in the village, a fact conveniently omitted), that Jackson was actually a friend of Indians. No other shortcomings of Jackson even get alluded to; Scots-Irish, in Webb's estimation, are beyond show more reproach. If you sort out the pure history put together by competent historians, it may be worth reading; on the other hand, you could just read Albion's Seed by David Hackett Fischer and get the gist of the matter without the offensive inaccuracies, omissions, and allegations. (JAF) show less

A passionate history of an entire people, told by one of its latter day scions. A hard people, a stubborn people, a violent people, the Scots-Irish make up a large portion of the American landscape. Some of our greatest soldiers, generals, and even presidents have come of this group. The author sets out to tell the history of his people and his own family. What shaped them? What defines them? And how has their culture helped to form America's?

This is not a work of deep history. It's not critical and it's not detailed. It's quite short for the range of years it covers. The author had no interest in addressing the dirty or complex past of his people, only the shining victories. The book has the tone of "setting the record straight". It's show more obvious that the author is sick of hearing slurs, stereotypes, and dismissive language used regarding his people. While that is understandable, it isn't an attitude that lends itself to an unbiased history. Much that would sully the noble picture he is hoping to create is simply skipped.

The redeeming parts of this book are when the author speaks to his own family and the history that has been passed down to him. These portions were so full of character and detail. It really makes you realize how vague the rest of the book is. I would have much preferred an in depth history of the authors family rather than a whitewashed and spotty history of the entire Scots-Irish race. show less

I have a number of caveats about this book. It's more of a paean to the author's own culture than a true history, and as such, it presents some pretty sweeping generalizations. Some would challenge his readings of Scots-Irish and American history or even be offended by them. It might be, as I've seen in other reviews, that Webb's narrative is "self-indulgent" or a "mythologizing" of Scots-Irish and Southern cultures.

But for all that, I truly enjoyed reading it. Even though my forebears settled farther North than most of Webb's subjects, I saw traces of my own family throughout. And I definitely appreciated his passionate effort to help readers see the heart of a culture that too few try to understand or respect. For that reason alone, I show more found it a highly worthwhile read. I learned a lot. show less

Parts of this book, Scots-Irish history and culture and its impact on America, were fascinating and enlightening. Glorification of that culture and some of its champions like Andrew Jackson diminished my assessment of the book.

Webb outlines the warlike spirit of the Scots-Irish as he tells their history. I enjoyed the earlier parts of the book which were based on research far more than the latter parts which were more of a personal memoir. The author does offer insights into the cultures of Appalachia and the South. The reader can see how the Scots-Irish settlers shaped these cultures.

Informative read. If it is as the author argues, we have a lot to thank the Scots-Irish for.