- ISBN13: 9780500282335
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
“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 bloo… More >>
Scotland: A Concise History, Revised Edition
Tags: Concise, concise history, Edition, History, hundred years, member of parliament, product description, remainder mark, Revised, romantic figures, Scotland, scots, sir fitzroy maclean, two kings, wit
#1 by Barbara S. Sweeten on April 17, 2010 - 5:38 am
I purchased this book for my 18 year old granddaughter. She has just taken an interest in her Scottish heritage. I found it to be an excellent choice, easy to read with alot of really good pictures. I will see how well she likes it after Christmas.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Barbara Sawyer on April 17, 2010 - 8:26 am
I was happy to see my book arrive before the expected delivery date.
We look forward to using it when we tour Scotland in July. Thanks!
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by N. Mandelbaum on April 17, 2010 - 10:13 am
This is a quite readable work of political history for a general public and with a highland focus. A short book with lots of nice pictures, little analysis, no context provided for the political history, and no footnotes. Concentrates on fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.
Rating: 2 / 5
#4 by D. S. Thurlow on April 17, 2010 - 10:47 am
Scotland’s political history is a long, complex, and fascinating tale, in which generations of Scotsmen have contended with successive waves of Irish, Roman, Viking, and English visitors for control of the rugged North of Britain. Fitzroy MacLean, former liaison from Churchill to Tito in Yugoslavia during the Second World War, wide-ranging diplomat in the Cold War, and a proud Scotsman, has penned an elegantly “Concise History of Scotland” for the general reader. First published in 1970 and periodically updated since, it is an excellent and lavishly illustrated introduction to Scotland.
In the opening chapter, MacLean steps rapidly through Scottish pre-history, the Romans, the Vikings, and the first rulers of a united Scotland. The second chapter is perhaps the heart of the story. Dynastic struggles over the Scottish crown draw in English intervention. These years are dominated by Scotland’s efforts to forge an independent identity. In later chapters, the union of England and Scotland changes the latter’s destiny forever. To this day, Scotland is a distinctive part of the United Kingdom, whose sons and daughters have contributed much to the common welfare, whether as soldiers, poets, explorers, inventors, or industrialists. Scotland’s heritage as embodied in the clans, the kilts, and the castles form a tradition that continues to draw both visitors and academic interest.
Inevitably, MacLean’s short book passes over much that might be of interest about Scotland, especially items outside the political realm. However, MacLean’s concise narrative holds up extremely well as a reading experience, and is therefore highly recommended to those general readers looking for an introduction to Scotland.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Anonymous on April 17, 2010 - 1:13 pm
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.
Rating: 5 / 5