This is a thoroughly absorbing book as David Smale takes us through the context, events and significance of the 'Radical War' of 1820. The tumultuous cast of real-life political reformers, spies and government-men also tells us a great deal about how we reached our modern state of democracy.

Gerard Carruthers, Francis Hutcheson Chair of Scottish Literature, University of Glasgow, UK

Dr David Smale gives us important new insights into the dramatic and brutal events of 1820
in Scotland. There, as in England, an emerging working class had begun to organise and to demand its political rights. His book combines compelling narrative with careful and very thoughtful use of a wide range of sources and deserves to be widely read.

Ian Wood, Scottish Author and Historian, UK