or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
51 used & new from $3.76
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
Sorry!
X
Scotland: The Story of a Nation
 
 
Share your own customer images
Search inside this book
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.
 
  

Scotland: The Story of a Nation (Paperback)

~ (Author) "For three billion years Scotland was on a collision course with England..." (more)
Key Phrases: joint parliamentary commission, infant queen, earl marischal, Walter Scott, Robert Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots (more...)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
List Price: $22.50
Price: $15.30 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $7.20 (32%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Tuesday, November 10? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
24 new from $13.49 27 used from $3.76

Also Available in:

 List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover (Bargain Price)     17 used & new from $6.82
Hardcover     64 used & new from $3.86
Paperback     29 used & new from $6.95

Frequently Bought Together

Scotland: The Story of a Nation + How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It + Scotland: A Concise History, Revised Edition
Price For All Three: $39.75

Show availability and shipping details

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Scotland: A Concise History, Revised Edition

Scotland: A Concise History, Revised Edition

by Fitzroy MacLean
4.6 out of 5 stars (7)  $13.57
A History of Scotland (Penguin History)

A History of Scotland (Penguin History)

by J. D. Mackie
3.8 out of 5 stars (4)  $12.24
Clans and Families of Scotland: The History of the Scottish Tartan

Clans and Families of Scotland: The History of the Scottish Tartan

by Alexander Fulton
4.5 out of 5 stars (2) 
Scottish Customs: From The Cradle To The Grave

Scottish Customs: From The Cradle To The Grave

by Margaret Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars (5)  $13.57
The Scottish Nation

The Scottish Nation

by Thomas Devine
4.8 out of 5 stars (8) 
› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Near Stirling, Scotland, stands a memorial to the warrior William Wallace, put to death at the orders of the English king Edward I in 1305. Within that memorial stands a glass case, and inside of it stands a broadsword 1.7 meters long. Legend has it that the hero himself wielded the weapon, and so "Wallace's Sword" it is.

Magnus Magnusson, a native of Iceland who has long lived in and written about Scotland, may spoil it for some readers when he writes that Wallace's Sword probably wasn't Wallace's. To use it, Wallace would have had to have stood at least 6-foot-6 in height and to have lived two centuries later. The business of the sword is just one of the "cherished conceptions" about Scottish history that Magnusson picks apart and then, corrected and improved, restores. At other turns he considers the true identity of the legendary king Macbeth (and entertains some surprising but plausible theories about the king's alter ego); reconstructs decisive battles such as Otterburn, Flodden, and Glencoe; and looks closely at the complicated negotiations (and, many would say, treacheries) that led to the union with England of 1707. Magnusson closes with an account of modern independence movements and the recent return of some measure of national autonomy, opening a "new chapter in a nation's story, which the people of Scotland are now beginning to write."

Lucid, witty, and unafraid of controversy, Magnusson's book does a fine job of condensing a complex history, stretching out for 10 millennia, into a single volume. --Gregory McNamee --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



From Publishers Weekly

This overly heroic history of Scotland focuses almost exclusively on royalty and warfare. Loosely patterned after Sir Walter Scott's Tales of a Grandfather (1827-1829), Magnusson's (The Vikings) narrative purports to describe Scotland from the Stone Age to the present. Yet his omissions are breathtaking. What of Scotland's amazing (for its size) achievements during the European Enlightenment? Adam Smith is mentioned once, the seminal philosopher David Hume twice in passing. We're treated to a dozen pages about the Battle of Falkirk (wherein England's implacable King Edward I defeated William Wallace in 1298) and its aftermath. But Magnusson never mentions Scotland's central role in the Industrial Revolution, when Glasgow emerged as a global industrial center ("industry" isn't even listed in the index). Magnusson's narrative reads like a medieval saga, filled with swashbuckling tales of kings and battlefield heroics, leaving the reader to wonder how the average person lived. That said, he does emphasize some crucial themes in Scottish history: its constant struggle with hegemonic England, the problems of royal succession and how they led to national instability, and the bloody conflict between Church and State, especially during the reign of the Stuarts. Former chairman of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland, Magnusson deftly describes Scotland's geopolitical heritage. He also works hard to dispel some myths, taking particular aim at the film Braveheart and Shakespeare's Macbeth. Magnusson's critical problem, however, is that once he runs out of Scottish kings (circa 1745), he runs out of steam. Still, while hardly definitive, this is worthwhile for those with an interest in early Scottish history. Color & b&w illus. not seen by PW.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Paperback: 752 pages
  • Publisher: Grove Press (January 17, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0802139329
  • ISBN-13: 978-0802139320
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #294,994 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Magnus Magnusson
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Magnus Magnusson Page
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
For three billion years Scotland was on a collision course with England. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
joint parliamentary commission, infant queen, earl marischal, hereditary keeper, incorporating union, leading magnates
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Walter Scott, Robert Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, King of Scots, Prince Charles, Stirling Castle, King Edward, John Balliol, William Wallace, Rob Roy, Earl of Mar, John Knox, General Assembly, King William, Lord George Murray, Queen Elizabeth, Earl of Angus, Earl of Moray, Marie de Guise, Act of Union, Queen Anne, Duke of Albany, Earl of Arran, Great Britain, Robert Stewart
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 76 books:
See all 76 books this book cites

Books on Related Topics (learn more)
 
 

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(6)
(6)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more
 

Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An Up-To-Date and Comprehensive History of Scotland, March 29, 2003
By Bookreporter.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
"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

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Great History of Scotland minus a few people and events, November 4, 2001
This review is from: Scotland: The Story of a Nation (Hardcover)
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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but missing the more recent history, June 20, 2004
This review is from: Scotland: The Story of a Nation (Hardcover)
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.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Primer on Scottish History
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... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Steven M. Anthony

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive guide to Scottish history
This is pretty much the first book I started researching with and I've used it ever since. It goes through the entire history of Scotland, from the Celts and Picts to present day... Read more
Published 9 months ago by J. Rott

3.0 out of 5 stars History for the Traveller
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... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Daniel M. Adler

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read!
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... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jessica

3.0 out of 5 stars jm review
The book was delivered in good time and was well packaged. There was unfortunatly some staining on one side of the cover. However it was a good buy.
Published 23 months ago by James Malone

5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical view of the Scots and their nation
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... Read more
Published on November 2, 2007 by Colin Campbell

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read!
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,... Read more
Published on July 20, 2007 by S. Mahoney

4.0 out of 5 stars Great overview
Once you get past the author's use of current roadways to reference historical sites, the book is a good read. Read more
Published on June 5, 2007 by snwlprd

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Ol'Magnus
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... Read more
Published on May 9, 2007 by Josette

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive history of Scotland
Magnus did an excellent job of documenting Scotland's long, rich history.

His book is one of the very few to actually make mention of and discuss the "Killing Time,"... Read more

Published on May 6, 2003 by Donna Di Giacomo

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   

So You'd Like to...

Create a guide

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Look for Similar Items by Category

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:








i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.