Customer Reviews

Scotland: The Story of a Nation

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"History on the hoof" is how Magnus Magnusson describes his approach to the massive subject of the history of Scotland. This dynamic work encompasses the geology, prehistory, ethnicities, politics and cultural events that are all elements in the answer to the question, "What does it mean to be Scots?"

The story begins with a description of how the distinctive terrain of the land evolved. The craggy shoreline, outlying islands and Highland hills were key factors in who came to live in Scotland and what they had to do to defend it, starting with Scotland's first tribes. Mr. Magnusson gives a lively account of the Picts, Scots, Gaels and Britons who skirmished among themselves until they banded together to fight Viking invaders from the north and, later, Roman invaders from the south. Scotland has always seen its share of warfare, largely from England. Independence from England has been a constant struggle for Scotland and recounting its battles introduces a wealth of fascinating characters from William Wallace (whose adventures and sorry ending readers may remember from the film Braveheart) through the unlucky Stewarts. We also meet the real-life MacBeth; his chapter details his ill-starred rise to power and notes the differences between the actual history and the story we all know from Shakespeare's play.

However, if there is a literary figure that serves as an illuminating spirit for SCOTLAND: The Story of a Nation, that person must be Sir Walter Scott. One of Scotland's most successful novelists, with twenty-seven historical romances concerning Scotland to his credit, he wrote a history of Scotland and dedicated it to his grandson. Excerpts from TALES OF A GRANDFATHER begin every chapter of SCOTLAND and Mr. Magnusson takes careful note of the events that inspired Sir Walter Scott and how his firm pro-English philosophy colored his works.

What Magnus Magnusson and Sir Walter Scott have in common is a sense that storytelling informs history. There are so many vivid legends and people in Scottish history that writing a compendium organizing them all into a swift and logical narrative is no small accomplishment. Also, while the book does not pretend to be a travel guide, it offers useful tips for finding the monuments and landmarks that represent the nation's history. Bring it with you when you travel.

SCOTLAND: The Story of a Nation is indispensable for those who simply wish to know more --- and for those who wish to know everything --- about Scotland, its past and present.

--- Reviewed by Colleen Quinn

I am very glad I read this book. It was a very readable and enjoyable history of Scotland. The book was so good, I am tempted to make a return trip to Scotland. This book was that inspiring.

I especially enjoyed the chapters on the Romans in Scotland, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

I was a little upset as to the lack of information about the enlightenment in Scotland. But other than that, this was a great book.

It was very readable, with new information, and some great quotes.

This was a great book, I wished it had more, but none the less, it was a great purchase and time well spent.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. It was well written very interesting. My only major criticism of this book is in what it left out. The book does a wonderful job relating the history of Scotland up to and including the Jacobite rebellion of 1745-46. Anything since that point is largely ignored. The author was loosely following Sir Walter Scott's example in Tales from a Grandfather which ends at that point in Scottish history. A couple more chapters discussing the Scottish enlightenment and modern Scottish history would have made this book perfect. Nonetheless, I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in an introduction to Scottish history.

While I enjoyed this book, I found that it could have used more history and less travelogue: Each specific historic locale is mentioned in terms of its relation to the various highways of Northern Britain. Helpful if you're planning a vacation and want to see historic Scotland, but irrelevant from a point of view of actual history. I'm also not sure what Magnusson's connection to Sir Walter Scott is, but he's obviously very fond of him: Every chapter begins with a quotation from Scott (mostly from his Tales of a Grandfather), and chapter 29 is actually a mini-biography of Scott himself!

I have read many books on the history of scotland, and this is by far one of the best on the main characters who have shaped this nation. It does not cover as many events as other books, but does give a good beginning background into the history of Scotland. The book is written in more of a story telling fashion, and makes it very readable and entertaining.

This is the most comprehensive view of Scottish history that I have read. Having grown up and being educated in the Scottish Education system this book filled in the gaps of my education.

The 3 degrees of separation between Scotland, England and Central Europe including the systems of government/religion/monarchy are an eye opener. This historical overview highlights the in breeding amongst the powerful family's and the ties that they had. No wonder the English royals are all mad as hatters <G> Check out the moview " the madness of king George" if you are uncertain!

Great book

I have always been intrigued by English and Scottish history. Having recently returned from a two week golf trip to Scotland, I find myself even more deeply interested in the history and people of that country.

This is a very good, broad and comprehensive treatment of Scottish history and personages from the earliest time through the present. Much of what is written is seen through the prism of English history, as the two are necessarily intertwined. A few complaints, however.

The author routinely identifies places and monuments through reference to highway numbers. At times, the history reads like a travelogue. While this is undeniably helpful to Scottish readers who wish to visit those sites, the failure to include good maps leaves one wondering.

More disconcerting is the author's insistence on rehabilitating virtually every historical personage of Scottish importance. To believe the author, almost every Scottish leader was a swell guy who has been mistreated by history. The phrase, "Recent research has painted a far more (a)sympathetic, (b)complimentary, (c)positive portrait of xxxxxxxxx than previously thought" appears over and over again as Magnusson goes about his job of rehabilitating previously poorly thought of leaders and Kings. Seriously, some of those fellows were probably just bad Kings. Deal with it.

Having said that, I find Scottish genealogy far easier to follow than the rat's nest that was Medieval and Renaissance English royal politics. Trying to decipher the in-breeding and marriage alliances involved in the War of the Roses can cross your eyes, whereas James I begat James II, who begat James III, who begat James IV, who begat James V, who begat Mary (uh-oh). Of course, the near constant turmoil and political infighting only increased exponentially with the Reformation and introduction of religious strife to the region. To read the record, the 16th and 17th centuries were consumed with constant intrigue and rebellion, more often as not, focusing on the tug of war between royalty dominated Episcopalianism and church (and individual) led Presbyterianism (and forget about the poor stray Catholic that may be periodically drawn and quartered).

All in all, a very educational and time worthy effort for anyone curious about the development of Scotland as an independent nation and the historical personages that played a role in that process, both inside and outside the country.

I purchased this book after I was fortunate enough to visit Edinburgh, Scotland. As I walked the streets of Edinburgh my eyes laid upon one Scottish flag after another and graffiti calling for freedom from England covered buildings. I became fascinated by the country's culture and yearned to learn more about its history. I came back to the States needing to know more about the Nation of Scotland.

This book does a marvelous job at giving an objective view of Scotland's history. Going through its monarchs and constant fighting with England. You come to understand this country has fought for century's to rid itself of British rule. A fight that is still not done.

If you love history, this book is for you!!

The book is wonderful. I would recommend two items to help clarify locations and relationships for the reader - a GOOD foldout map of Scotland so the locations of the actions, castles, cathedrals, and routes decsribed in the book can be better understood (I ended up gluing one inside the back cover myself), and a genealogical tree(s) showing how individuals are related to each other, including the major characters.

If you want to read the History of Scotland, WITHOUT overloading your brain with mundane facts and figures, which inevitably lull you into a slightly slumberous state making you 'look' at the words instead of actually 'reading' the words .... therefore requiring you to read them again

Get your mits on Mangus Magnusson's SCOTLAND.

As another reviewer mentioned earlier, he writes in a very conversational tone, which is simply fantastic when it comes to some of the (few) rather dry facets of human history which cannot go un-mentioned.

In closing: GREAT BOOK - MONEY WELL SPENT - BUY IT.