Looking for a book on Scottish history

[Merlin]

In particular.... something covering the battles with the Brits.... perhaps the battle of Culloden Moor.... something about the history of Scotland.


Any suggestions?

[ctbuchanan]

I found Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson to be very readable and a great introduction to Scottish history. It does not include 'modern' times though. But will cover what it appears you are looking for.

[KFCarter]

I found Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson to be very readable and a great introduction to Scottish history. It does not include 'modern' times though. But will cover what it appears you are looking for.

***, if you're interested in a solid, broad survey, this is a good choice.

[Merlin]

I found Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson to be very readable and a great introduction to Scottish history. It does not include 'modern' times though. But will cover what it appears you are looking for.

Ordered it for $2.06 from Amazon....thanks

[Tobus]

Are you looking for a general Scottish history book that happens to include various fights with the English, or are you looking specifically for a book about the fights with the English?

[Merlin]

Are you looking for a general Scottish history book that happens to include various fights with the English, or are you looking specifically for a book about the fights with the English?

Generally about the history of the land.... wars for independence and clans involved.

[MacBean]

In particular.... something covering the battles with the Brits.... perhaps the battle of Culloden Moor.... something about the history of Scotland.

Any suggestions?

Lots of people enjoy John Prebble's, Culloden. It is well-written, and well-researched. He recognizes the sad plight of the Highlanders at and after Culloden, the winds of change that had already started, and does not advocate the Jacobite cause in any way. As a socialist, his sympathy with the people's cause may have won him some enemies, I'm not sure, but some historians seem to have taken issue with his work.

Another popular historian (thanks to ThistleDown for this lead) is Nigel Tranter who fictionalizes history. He also wrote a more serious history The Story of Scotland, which I have, but haven't yet read past the first two chapters. I've liked it so far.

[KFCarter]

Lots of people enjoy John Prebble's, Culloden. It is well-written, and well-researched. He recognizes the sad plight of the Highlanders at and after Culloden, the winds of change that had already started, and does not advocate the Jacobite cause in any way. As a socialist, his sympathy with the people's cause may have won him some enemies, I'm not sure, but some historians seem to have taken issue with his work.

Another very interesting book by Prebble is "Darien; The Scottish Dream of Empire".

[bdkilted]

I agree that Scotland, by Magnuson is very good.
I have also read "Tales of a Scottish Grandfather; From Bannockburn to Flodden" by Sir Walter Scott,
and just finished "Periods of Highland History" by I.F. Grant and Hugh Cheape. It was good, but a bit dry and dealt with mostly the western clans.

[Mark E.]

Lots of people enjoy John Prebble's, Culloden. It is well-written, and well-researched. He recognizes the sad plight of the Highlanders at and after Culloden, the winds of change that had already started, and does not advocate the Jacobite cause in any way. As a socialist, his sympathy with the people's cause may have won him some enemies, I'm not sure, but some historians seem to have taken issue with his work.

Another popular historian (thanks to ThistleDown for this lead) is Nigel Tranter who fictionalizes history. He also wrote a more serious history The Story of Scotland, which I have, but haven't yet read past the first two chapters. I've liked it so far.

I'll second these as well. On a note with regard to the responses predating this one...When a lot of us go searching for books and literature detailing the history of our countries, cultures, or even selves, we sometimes must ask the questions-are we to look for what we want to find? Or are we in search of the truth of things? For example...the battle of Culloden was not necessarily a conflict that was Scot against English, but rather one of Catholic against Protestant-and, unfortunately, quite a number of those Protestants were Scots. As a modern day American, it is (somewhat) humorous to find the portrayal of the American Civil War being implanted into the minds of the current younger generations as one of good versus evil on the basis of slavery versus freedom-though not that long ago it could have been considered one of capitalism and progress.

So...as far as fact, fiction, and entertainment go...Good luck with the suggestions. If you find the truth of the history you are searching for gives you cause to celebrate, celebrate. If not...What will you do with that knowledge?

Not that it deals with Scotland, but there is a book, Sarum, by Edward Rutherford-covers 10,000 years of English history. Very well written, and unbiassed.