Scotland: A Concise History, Second Revised Edition [Paperback]

Fitzroy Maclean (Author), Magnus Linklater (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0500282331 | ISBN-13: 978-0500282335 | Publication Date: 2000 | Edition: 2nd Revised

"The Scots," said a censorious English member of Parliament in 1607, "have not suffered above two kings to die in their beds these two hundred years." He may have exaggerated, but undeniably Scotland has a rough and bloodstained history.

It is a complex one too, but Sir Fitzroy Maclean disentangles the threads and enlivens his brisk account with both wit and scholarship. Pictures from authentic contemporary sources illuminate his story--its romantic figures and bloody battles, its politics and religion--and provide a rich visual record of Scotland's art, craftsmanship, and intellectual life. For this revised edition, the distinguished journalist Magnus Linklater (former editor of The Scotsman), explores the renewed strengths of Scottish identity as the country enters the new millennium with a new parliament. 250 b/w illustrations. 250 black-and-white illustrations

Editorial Reviews

Review

A truly remarkable collection of illustrations, mostly unfamiliar, gathered with excellent judgement from many sources and beautifully reproduced. -- Times Literary Supplement

Magnificently illustrated, it is a constant visual delight . . . an admirable introduction to a fascinating subject. -- The Scotsman

About the Author

Sir Fitzroy Maclean for many years held important posts in the British diplomatic service, armed forces, and government, and was an honorary LLD of Glasgow, Dundee and Dalhousie Universities. His many publications include Holy Russia; the highly acclaimed Tito: A Pictorial Biography; Bonnie Prince Charlie; Highlanders: A History of the Highland Clans; and Scotland: A Concise History. He died in 1996.

Magnus Linklater is the former editor of The Scotsman.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 2nd Revised edition (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500282331
• ISBN-13: 978-0500282335
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth is out there!, January 18, 2001

By 

Mr. C. J. MacKenzie "www.laugar.org.uk" (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scotland: A Concise History (Illustrated National Histories) (Paperback)

A facinating account of the history of our great nation. Having been educated in England, I found that British history in schools is really English history. This book is an opportunity to see a large part of British history from a very different perspective. The accounts of the conflicts between rival families for the Scots crown are as riveting as any novel. This seems to be an accurate account without too much flannel or personal opinion. If you want one book on Scottish history then buy this! Colin...............

74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just terrific!!!, September 29, 2002

By 

BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scotland: A Concise History, Second Revised Edition (Paperback)

This book has it all-- organized and effective writing, a genealogy of Scottish kings in the front of the book (instead of hidden at the back as it is in many books), a detailed reference map of Scotland, and wonderful and unusual illustrations, many of them what I call "primary". These illustrations show Scotland's historic figures, its bloody battles, and the politics and religion. We also see examples of Scotland's creative and intellectual efforts throughout the centuries.

Some of the topics covered are the advent of Christianity, the Norsemen and the Normans, the alliance with France, William Wallace (wasn't he played by Mel Gibson?), the Renaissance, Mary Queen of Scots, the Campbell Clan, Cromwell, the Restoration, William and Mary, the Industrial Revolution, the arts in Scotland, and many more topics of great interest.

The author has laid out the complex and sometimes convoluted history of Scotland in a most readable fashion. I cannot emphasize how much the 200+ illustrations add to this book and to one's understanding.

74 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nicely done, strong work with nice illustrations., November 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Scotland: A Concise History (Illustrated National Histories) (Paperback)

I found this work to be a very informative and interesting read. The illustrations are well done add a great deal to the historical detail. If you are looking for a "nuts & bolts" version of Scottish history this is a good choice.