The Story of Scotland [Paperback]

Nigel Tranter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000

Scotland's story cannot be told merely in terms of documentary evidence, for this would be to neglect an integral part of the nation's heritage. The legends, myths, stories and memories handed down from generation to generation must be added to the bare bones of factual record if the character of the country is to be truly revealed. Nigel Tranter was able to combine the two with a masterly hand, expertly weaving the colourful threads of folklore into the fabric of historical fact. Tranter was impeccably qualified to tell the story of Scotland, having written many books detailing the nation's rich past and he possessed an exceptional gift for storytelling. His account begins in the years before records made traditional history possible and ends with the transformation of Scotland during the 19th century into a workshop of the world and a source of pioneers for Britain's empire. In this perennial bestseller, Niigel Tranter's incomparable tale of a nation's enthralling history is the most comprehensible primer on the subject yet published. Before he passed away in January 2000, Tranter had written over 70 novels and several works of non-fiction, almost all of them historical works set in Scotland.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Until his death in January 2000, Nigel Tranter was one of Scotland's most prolific authors with over 100 titles written. He was actively involved in the restoration of some of Scotland's fortified houses. He specialised in Scottish historical fiction and wrote over 70 novels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Neil Wilson Publishing (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897784074
• ISBN-13: 978-1897784075
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Can't Put it Down!, October 17, 2001

By 

Just-a-girl "abc-survivors.net" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Story of Scotland (Paperback)

I suffered through history classes. There were so many dates, names, places, and events, that I just memorized the basic facts and moved on. Now that I am planning extensive travels in Scotland, I have the desire to learn Scottish history. But I never thought that I would enjoy reading about it so much!

Tranter admits that he is not a historian, and that he could never cover all of Scottish history in 200 pages. What he does, however, is make the reader interested, inquisitive, and thoughtful about the events that have molded Scotland. This story reads like a novel, so it surprises me the great overview and understanding it has given me of Scotland's long history. It also surprises me that I read several chapters in one night, and absorbed a great deal of information. I found myself discussing the issues and reasons behind events with my husband, remembering many kings and dates and personal details of the players involved.

If you want a place to start in understanding Scottish history, you've found it. This account covers the ancient Picts through modern times, all in a personal and interesting way. Once you read this book, you will find yourself doing more research and searching for more detailed accounts. I plan on reading this book again while in Scotland, pondering the fascinating history of the places we visit.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read For Scots And..., July 22, 2008

By 

bobthedog - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story of Scotland (Paperback)

...Non-Scots Alike.

As a Scot, I have met many, many fellow-Scots who, having endured the careful tutelage of the "British" (English) curricula - mostly without realising the existence of the omissions, biases, and distortions inherent therein - are blissfully (ignorantly) unaware of many of the facts related in this book. Here are but a few:

- John Knox was a paid-agent of Henry Tudor (VIII), and actually sold information to the English allowing the burning of Leithside by the English fleet in 1544.

- Robert Burns was a Campbell, and 'Burns' is a pseudonym adopted by the family to hide a rather more-or-less typical Campbell injustice.

- England owes Scotland back-taxes on the entire Tynedale region dating back to the days of Robert The Lion; the legal charter for which has never been revoked. These taxes would come to several trillions of pounds as of today, if the law were enforced...

- The Stone Of Scone presently on display in Edinburgh Castle, having been stolen by Edward Longshanks and used for the coronation of English monarchs for some 700 years (including the present Queen Elizabeth), is most likely a cess-cover (sewer-cover) substituted by the monks of Scone Abbey as a great prank on the Sassenachs.

And so on.

If you want to know Truths about Scotland which were certainly _NOT_ taught in pre-devolution Scottish schools (things may be different now; I can only hope), this book is chock full of such choice nuggets. It is also a very fine read, as Tranter brings History to life, with wry humour and compassionate grace.

I cannot emphasise enough the value of this book to anyone interested in the TRUE story of Scotland, and not the politically-filtered propaganda foisted upon so many generations of Scots in Scottish schools under the "guidance" of the Scottish Office.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not history, but "historical nonfiction", April 6, 2005

By 

David R. Cross "Purple Sage" (Fort Worth, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of Scotland (Paperback)

I am a Texan, but I have spent parts of about a dozen summers in Scotland, mostly in Edinburgh. I love Scottish history, as well as the country itself. Scottish literature is among the best in the world, and Nigel Tranter is one of my favorite Scottish writers. I have read about a dozen of his historical novels, and enjoyed every one. The Bruce Trilogy is especially good, and is in my view the finest historical novel ever printed. However, Tranter does something different in The Story of Scotland, which isn't quite history. I prefer to think of it as "Historical Nonfiction", for in it Tranter weaves a tale, but this time it is the tale of all Scotland. The book is aptly named, for although historical, it is a story first and foremost. It is an excellent introduction to Scotland and its history, as long as one does not mistake it for serious history. I have read it several times, and recommend it with enthusiasm.