Scotland: A History
by
Jenny Wormald
(Editor)
ISBN-13: 978-0198206156
ISBN-10: 0198206151
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Scottish history has long been dominated by the romantic tales of Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. But the explosion of serious historical research in the last half-century has fueled a keen desire for a better-informed and more satisfying
understanding of the Scottish past.
This attractively designed book--boasting scores of illustrations, include eight color plates--brings together the leading authorities on Scottish history, who range from Roman times until the present day, offering a more accurate and sophisticated portrait of Scotland through the ages. The
contributors take us from medieval Scotland, to the crisis created by Mary Queen of Scots and the trauma of Reformation, to the reign of James VI and the Union of the Crowns (1603). They discuss the seventeenth century, when a stern Calvinist Kirk launched an unprecedented attack on music, dancing,
drama, and drinking, and the remarkable transformation of enlightenment Scotland, when the small nation became a great force in European literature, with such eminent figures as David Hume, Adam Smith, Robert Burns, and James Boswell. We discover that in the nineteenth century the Scottish economy,
by some criteria, outpaced the rest of Britain, and its preeminence in heavy engineering was unquestioned. And we follow Scotland through the turbulent twentieth century, enduring two world wars and a depression, before ending on a high note, with Scotland enjoying its first parliament in three
hundred years.
What emerges here is a portrait of a confident people who slowly built an important place for themselves in the wider world--the story of a remarkably positive, assured, and successful kingdom.
understanding of the Scottish past.
This attractively designed book--boasting scores of illustrations, include eight color plates--brings together the leading authorities on Scottish history, who range from Roman times until the present day, offering a more accurate and sophisticated portrait of Scotland through the ages. The
contributors take us from medieval Scotland, to the crisis created by Mary Queen of Scots and the trauma of Reformation, to the reign of James VI and the Union of the Crowns (1603). They discuss the seventeenth century, when a stern Calvinist Kirk launched an unprecedented attack on music, dancing,
drama, and drinking, and the remarkable transformation of enlightenment Scotland, when the small nation became a great force in European literature, with such eminent figures as David Hume, Adam Smith, Robert Burns, and James Boswell. We discover that in the nineteenth century the Scottish economy,
by some criteria, outpaced the rest of Britain, and its preeminence in heavy engineering was unquestioned. And we follow Scotland through the turbulent twentieth century, enduring two world wars and a depression, before ending on a high note, with Scotland enjoying its first parliament in three
hundred years.
What emerges here is a portrait of a confident people who slowly built an important place for themselves in the wider world--the story of a remarkably positive, assured, and successful kingdom.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
`This book is not the easiest introduction to Scottish history because it is closely argued, but it is probably the most challenging and stimulating.' Paul Henderson Scott, Sunday Herald
About the Author
Jenny Wormald is currently Fellow and Tutor in Modern History at St Hilda's College, Oxford. She has previously been Lecturer in Scottish History at the University of Glasgow, British Academy Reader in the Humanities, and a Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and the
University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
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Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press (December 1, 2005)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 402 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0198206151
- ISBN-13 : 978-0198206156
- Item Weight : 1.95 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.3 x 1.2 x 6.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #217,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #127 in Scotland History
- #172 in European History (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
36 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2018
This is actually a series of chapters by different historians, many of them women, which I liked. Most of it was easy to understand, if not exactly a quick read. I found the section on the Reformation in Scotland totally mystifying, but I believe my confusion exceeded my level of interest in the subject. I was sorry to discover that the editor/author died recently as I would love to have told her how helpful I found the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2006
Having been published very recently, this book with many contributors synthesizes the latest scholarship. I have just finished the second chapter, AD 1100-1300. This period of Scotland becoming a nation seems to pivot on the reign of David I (1124-53), although later monarchs' of Scots achievements are detailed too, such as the bringing of the Western Isles into the realm. It is worthwhile reading, but occasionally the author's grammar or an obscure reference is confusing.
I was most interested in the first chapter, written by University of Glasgow's Katherine Forsyth. "Origins: Scotland to 1100" is the period I have been reading about the most over several years. Obviously 39 pages cannot contain exceptional detail (compared to an entire book on the subject, such as Smyth's 'Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-1000', which, by the way, also gives great insight into the eleventh century, besides the whole first millenium,) but I found it to be a suitable introduction to this period for such as a single-volume of Scottish history might offer. The author's speciality in epigraphy allows for some intriguing insights, while not hindering a thorough overall impression of the period.
I was most interested in the first chapter, written by University of Glasgow's Katherine Forsyth. "Origins: Scotland to 1100" is the period I have been reading about the most over several years. Obviously 39 pages cannot contain exceptional detail (compared to an entire book on the subject, such as Smyth's 'Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-1000', which, by the way, also gives great insight into the eleventh century, besides the whole first millenium,) but I found it to be a suitable introduction to this period for such as a single-volume of Scottish history might offer. The author's speciality in epigraphy allows for some intriguing insights, while not hindering a thorough overall impression of the period.
15 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2014
Which is what I expected though it got a bit dry and occasionally downright boring, but I wanted a good solid history to read before my trip to Scotland and it was a good investment. I recommend it to anyone traveling to Scotland in order to be able to more appreciate what you see in that incredible country. Fascinating characters from the earliest scots on. No wonder Shakespeare wrote so much about Scotland's royalty and political struggles.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2018
Comprehensive and easy to follow. Each section has a different author and they give a range of perspectives on Scotland's history, culture and present day politics.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
Excellent book. Great vendor.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2016
I picked up this excellent history on a used book counter. Though I am well read in Scottish History, including completing the Free University of Scotland's history course many years ago. I learned a great deal from this. Note that this is history stripped of its myths of tartan and haggis (which as a former Scottish Country dancer who has visited Scotland about 20 times, I revel in). The book is a chronologically arranged series of chapters, each by a different British or American scholar (I assume meeting their collective "publish or Perish" needs), that provides an overview of the era they cover. They give only scant coverage to the Jacobite risings and the clearances, which loom large in my view of Alba's story, fitting them into the larger mosaic of the nation's history. The book is well balanced, neither and advertisement for the SNP nor the "North Britains" worldviews. I found it to be well worth reading for the history buff or the Scotophile. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to put on my kilt, and have a wee dram of Laphroaig to toast a' the soldier laddies.
Roibert A. Hall
Author: The Coming Collapse of the American Republic
Roibert A. Hall
Author: The Coming Collapse of the American Republic
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2007
If you are looking for your first book on the history of Scotland, this is not it.
This is a very, very detailed review of Scottish history which presumes you already have a detailed knowledge of the subject. If you are looking for an introduction to the history of Scotland, this is not your book. This book does not give you an overview or context for the history, but gives lots of detail for those who are already knowledgeable about the history of Scotland. The book is not an easy read. Some of the passages in this book are almost impenetrable; with paragraphs that run two, three or even four pages long.
This book does not really give much information on Scotland before 1100. If you are interested in the geologic or pre-historic history of Scotland, this book will not give you that information.
If you are looking for detailed information on Scotland and the succession of Scottish kings after 1100, this book contains vast amounts of detailed information.
This is a very, very detailed review of Scottish history which presumes you already have a detailed knowledge of the subject. If you are looking for an introduction to the history of Scotland, this is not your book. This book does not give you an overview or context for the history, but gives lots of detail for those who are already knowledgeable about the history of Scotland. The book is not an easy read. Some of the passages in this book are almost impenetrable; with paragraphs that run two, three or even four pages long.
This book does not really give much information on Scotland before 1100. If you are interested in the geologic or pre-historic history of Scotland, this book will not give you that information.
If you are looking for detailed information on Scotland and the succession of Scottish kings after 1100, this book contains vast amounts of detailed information.
29 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
CymruGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very satisfying purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2017
Excellent anthology. It's refreshing to read historians dig beneath the layers of tatty myth and expose the far-more-interesting truth.
Re. Seller ... book arrived in excellent condition on time.
Re. Seller ... book arrived in excellent condition on time.
One person found this helpful
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Cicero
3.0 out of 5 stars
for students of Scottish History
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2013
Wormold is primarily the editor, the book contains chapteters on periods of Scottish history by various historians, it was required for a course of study. not exactly a little light reading
5 people found this helpful
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JT26
5.0 out of 5 stars
so I haven'y read it but I think the recipient will be pleased, Lovely
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2015
It's a Christmas present, so I haven'y read it but I think the recipient will be pleased, Lovely hardback
One person found this helpful
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Stuart Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great final chapter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2015
Very good final chapter about Blind Harry's poem 'The Wallace.


