This work investigates the political and social machinations that culminated in the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds of Glencoe by government forces. John Prebble, a noted historian of the Scottish Highlands, utilizes primary source documents, correspondence, and contemporary accounts to reconstruct the events leading to the betrayal. The book argues that the massacre was not merely a localized act of violence but a calculated instrument of state policy intended to suppress Jacobite resistance in the Highlands.

Historians and readers frequently cite this work as a definitive account of the Glencoe tragedy due to its meticulous use of archival evidence. Experts highlight the author's ability to maintain a narrative flow while adhering to the rigors of historical documentation.