Amazon.com: Scotland: A History: 9780198206156: Wormald, Jenny: Books

5.0 out of 5 stars

• 5.0 out of 5 stars Great history book for preparing to visit Scotland if you love history!

  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.
  

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• 4.0 out of 5 stars Through 80 pages ...

  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.

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• 5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and easy to follow

  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.
  

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• 4.0 out of 5 stars solid historical detail

  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.
  

  7 people found this helpful

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• 5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading

  Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2016

  Format: Hardcover

  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

  4 people found this helpful

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• 2.0 out of 5 stars The history of Scoland for people who already know the history of Scotland

  Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2007

  Format: Hardcover

  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.

  33 people found this helpful

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