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snarf137's review
This book is essentially everything you need to become well-aquainted with Scottish history. It goes into a good amount of detail on cultural, economic, religious, political, and electoral history within Scotland. It assumes a generally good understanding of European and British history, starting from the Union in 1707 to the devolution of Scottish parliament in 1999. I read it both for general interest and geneological reasons, and it delivered a lot of well-sourced and detailed information on all fronts.
Scotland was extremely atypical in the 18th century, having a literacy rate well above many other European countries, a (for its time) well functioning education system, and an outpouring of creativity, energy, and industry, making it among the most quickly-urbanized societies in history (modern China may have given them the run for their money on that title, however). I particularly liked the detailed description of land clearances in the lowlands and highlands, and how this related to urbanization, emigration, and the decline of highland culture.
Scotland was extremely atypical in the 18th century, having a literacy rate well above many other European countries, a (for its time) well functioning education system, and an outpouring of creativity, energy, and industry, making it among the most quickly-urbanized societies in history (modern China may have given them the run for their money on that title, however). I particularly liked the detailed description of land clearances in the lowlands and highlands, and how this related to urbanization, emigration, and the decline of highland culture.
yarnandcameras's review
5.0
Fascinating! One of my favorite things about a good history is seeing all the interconnected things that are the reasons behind why things are the way they are now. I learned heaps about Scottish society, history, economics and politics, and it was really cool. Especially timely, with Scottish independence being such a big issue recently.
That said, this is not a quick, easy read, but I did find it very much worth the time.
That said, this is not a quick, easy read, but I did find it very much worth the time.
idealpages's review
5.0
I read this book as part of a history module that focused on Scottish history, in particular, Scotland’s place in the Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment.
This is a massive book, and it’s size should be considered when the reader takes it on (for instance, probably best to get it as a kindle book if you don’t like heavy books!)
Devine’s way of writing about Scotland’s history was extremely engaging and moving. I felt truly patriotic whilst reading Scottish Nation, and I couldn’t get through the book fast enough. It details Scotland’s social, political and economic history, in a time when Scotland was known as “the workshop of the world”. Reading this book didn’t feel like it was part of my coursework, but rather, it made me feel connected to my country’s past and was a joy to learn about how today’s position is the result of what was, the good and the bad. I thoroughly recommend Devine’s book for anyone who wants to learn about Scotland’s social, economic and political history during that time period.
This is a massive book, and it’s size should be considered when the reader takes it on (for instance, probably best to get it as a kindle book if you don’t like heavy books!)
Devine’s way of writing about Scotland’s history was extremely engaging and moving. I felt truly patriotic whilst reading Scottish Nation, and I couldn’t get through the book fast enough. It details Scotland’s social, political and economic history, in a time when Scotland was known as “the workshop of the world”. Reading this book didn’t feel like it was part of my coursework, but rather, it made me feel connected to my country’s past and was a joy to learn about how today’s position is the result of what was, the good and the bad. I thoroughly recommend Devine’s book for anyone who wants to learn about Scotland’s social, economic and political history during that time period.
lordofthemoon's review
4.0
This is a well-written, readable book, impeccably sourced and researched. It's taken me quite a while to get through it, although that's mostly because I'd put it down for months at a time so that I could read something lighter.
Devine takes the history of Scotland over the last three hundred years or so and breaks it down by era and then within the era, he looks at different aspects of the social and political history of the country. So the first is roughly around the Act of Union and its consequences, then the early industrial era, taking us up to the start of the Victorian era. This is followed by the largest section, covering the Victorian and Edwardian eras, bringing us to the edge of the second world war, and the final section brings us right up to the present day (or at least up to when the book was written in 2007, updated to the eve of the Indyref in 2012).
There's a huge amount of research here, and it covers many subjects, from the 'traditional' history of geopolitics, kings and the Great and the Good, to the rise of the lowland cities, the end of clanship, the place of women, migration (both into and out of Scotland) and much more.
As well as covering the Highland clearances, Devine looks at the effects of the underlying causes on the Lowlands as well. He covers the period of Scotland's (and especially Glasgow's) ascendency as 'the world's workshop' and 'second city of the empire' and looks at its decline and the roots and causes of that.
All in all, the book is very comprehensive, readable and has definitely given me an overview of the modern history of the country that I have chosen to call home.
Devine takes the history of Scotland over the last three hundred years or so and breaks it down by era and then within the era, he looks at different aspects of the social and political history of the country. So the first is roughly around the Act of Union and its consequences, then the early industrial era, taking us up to the start of the Victorian era. This is followed by the largest section, covering the Victorian and Edwardian eras, bringing us to the edge of the second world war, and the final section brings us right up to the present day (or at least up to when the book was written in 2007, updated to the eve of the Indyref in 2012).
There's a huge amount of research here, and it covers many subjects, from the 'traditional' history of geopolitics, kings and the Great and the Good, to the rise of the lowland cities, the end of clanship, the place of women, migration (both into and out of Scotland) and much more.
As well as covering the Highland clearances, Devine looks at the effects of the underlying causes on the Lowlands as well. He covers the period of Scotland's (and especially Glasgow's) ascendency as 'the world's workshop' and 'second city of the empire' and looks at its decline and the roots and causes of that.
All in all, the book is very comprehensive, readable and has definitely given me an overview of the modern history of the country that I have chosen to call home.
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