Scotland: A Very Short Introduction

by Rab Houston

Overview

Scotland's past is too often seen through a film of myths and misconceptions. In this Very Short Introduction, Rab Houston explores the key themes from more than 1,000 years of Scotland's very real and very fascinating history. Covering everything from the Jacobites to devolution to the modern economy, this concise account presents a fully-integrated picture of Scottish society, culture, politics and religion. Houston examines a range of important subjects, including how an independent Scottish nation emerged in the Middle Ages, how it was irrevocably altered by Reformation, how links with England and economic change have affected Scotland, and how Scotland has in turn influenced the development of the modern world. The book shows as well why Scotland's history has made it distinct from England, both before and after Union, and why it has today arrived at a political, social and cultural watershed. Authoritative, lucid, and ranging widely over issues of environment, people, and identity, this is Scotland's story without myths: an ideal introduction for those interested in the Scots, but also a balanced yet refreshing challenge to those who already feel at home in Scotland past and present.

About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199230792
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/15/2009
Series:	Very Short Introductions
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	463,857
Product dimensions:	4.30(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Robert Allan Houston is Professor of Modern History, University of St. Andrews, specializing in British social history. "Rab" is a Scottish contraction of "Robert."

Table of Contents

Introduction1. Politics and Government2. Religion3. Education4. Society5. Economy and Environment6. Scotland and the Wider World7. CultureConclusions