A History of Scotland

A History of Scotland by Neil Oliver. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780297856634.

Scotlands history has been badly served over the years. Defined by its relationship to England, Scotlands popular history is full of near-mythical figures and tragic events, her past littered with defeat, failure and thwarted ambition. The martyrdom of William Wallace, the tragedy of Mary Queen of Scots and the forlorn cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie all give the impression of poor Scotland; a victim of misfortune, leading to the countrys inevitable submission to the Auld Enemy. After the Union in 1707, Scotlands increasing reliance on England culminated in a crisis of confidence and identity that tortures the country to this day. But how accurate is this version of events? Using the very latest in historical research and by placing Scotlands story in the wider context of British, European and global history, some of the myths that pervade the past will be exploded to reveal a Scotland which forged its own destiny, often with success.