Book excerpt: The life of a young law student, Darsie Latimer, is thrown into disarray when he is kidnapped by a man named Hugh Redgauntlet. Taken to an unfamiliar village, Darsie is reunited with his sister, and soon realizes that Redgauntlet is his uncle. Unclear of his uncle’s motivations, Darsie notices the presence of many prominent members of the Jacobite movement in the community, including the face of the party, Prince Charles Edward Stewart. Meanwhile, Darsie’s friend, Alan Fairford sets out to rescue him, unaware of the situation he is soon to enter. After further discussion and investigation, Darsie finds out that Redgauntlet kidnapped him and summoned the Jacobites in order to amass a small army. Determined to start a third Jacobite uprising in Scotland, Redgauntlet tries to convince Darsie of his cause, and attempts to arouse morale and confidence among the movement members. However, not all of the Jacobites are as dedicated as Redgauntlet, and as the days drag on, they even begin to suspect that there is a spy among them. With conflict, hilarity, and interesting characters, Redgauntlet: A Tale of the 18th Century by Sir Walter Scott is a clever and haunting read. Partially written as an epistolary novel, Redgauntlet: A Tale of the 18th Century depicts fascinating and authentic Scottish dialect and syntax, as well as enlightening modern readers on the spirit of certain political movements in Scottish history. This humorous and gripping tale has been adapted for television, radio, and even a mini film series, demonstrating that even though it depicts an imagined historic event, Redgauntlet: A Tale of the 18th Century is still relevant and appealing to modern audiences. This edition of Redgauntlet: A Tale of the 18th Century by Sir Walter Scott now features an eye-catching new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of Redgauntlet: A Tale of the 18th Century crafts an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original mastery and drama of Sir Walter Scott’s literature.