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A History of Scotland: Look Behind the Mist and Myth of Scottish History Paperback – Illustrated, March 1, 2011

by Neil Oliver (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,790 ratings
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Scotland's history gets a rewrite by archaeologist and historian Neil Oliver. How accurate are the accounts of Mary Queen of Scots's tragic demise or Bonnie Prince Charlie's forlorn cause? Oliver reveals a Scotland that forged its own identity with success, despite its union with England in 1707.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    460 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Phoenix
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 2011
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    5.13 x 1.13 x 7.88 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0753826631
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0753826638
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Archaeologist Oliver has become a BBC star hosting such history programs as Two Men in a Trench. This volume accompanies his latest series, about his homeland. Scotland is wedded, for better or worse, to England, and it�s often been the latter for Scotland. Periods when Highlanders and Lowlanders stood independent of the English live on, however, in historical memory. It is to such popularly recollected names as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce that Oliver accordingly pegs his narrative, which unrolls from Celtic times to Roman times to Stuart times, which expired with Bonnie Prince Charlie�s defeat in 1745. Like characters in a dramatic play, the historical figures are pithily characterized (Mary Queen of Scots: �dynastic dynamite�) and then sent into action. While populist in style, Oliver�s presentation never caricatures its actors. He imparts impressions of them as real people with passions, convictions, and choices. Including such great Scottish cultural icons as poet Robert Burns, Oliver�s warmhearted yet illusion-free survey of Scottish history piques interest in the auld country. --Gilbert Taylor

Review

Oliver has a great passion for his subject...an entertaining, well balanced and informative read.―SOUTH WALES ARGUS

A vivid and compellnig picture of a country we may thnk we know, but one that can still surprise.―GOOD BOOK GUIDE

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phoenix; Illustrated edition (March 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 460 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0753826631
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0753826638
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.13 x 1.13 x 7.88 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,790 ratings

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Neil Oliver

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,790 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Petula
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
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This is an outstanding book on every count. It is full of live detail, well written, which makes it interesting to read.
I highly recommend to anyone wanting to get to know about Scotland and its history so tied up with that of England.
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Jeff MacConnell
4.0 out of 5 stars A readable compendium of Scottish names, dates, places, and backstories, but perhaps too much for a single volume.
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018
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History of Scotland is not a subject attempted by the faint of heart, but this is as detailed and comprehensive as possible for one volume. As a compendium of Scottish names, dates, places, and backstories it's very instructive, but this effort could be materially improved with regional or local maps of important places and events. Photos landmarks and ruins are good additions, but the map of the whole country is not only too small, but so crowded with place names that it is illegible and therefore useless. There were so many momentous events, mostly of important battles and shifting clan holdings, that the addition of descriptive and diagrammed maps would help comprehension of the confusing historical politics for which Scotland is infamous.
28 people found this helpful
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Becky
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, intense review, without being boring or too long!
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2014
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Bought this for a trip to Scotland I was taking. Even though I'm a history major I only knew the bare essentials of it's history. This book was excellent! Although it started just a tad slow, he really managed to present A LOT of years of history, kings, clans, culture, and wars into a pretty brief and very readable text. Believe me, I have read a TON of really dry, long history books, this one was definitely interesting enough to keep even a "non-history" person interested. Plus, it was a great aid for the trip as I knew a lot of the background to explain to my friend. Often times the brief few sentences you get as you tour through a castle or in a pamphlet just give you very basic facts- the more you know the more interesting the country is! I would definitely recommend for anyone travelling there, it gives a true sense of the history, people, and culture of the land and as I learned on my trip, their history is definitely NOT just in their past, it is very much a part of who they still are.
55 people found this helpful
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mary a harkless
5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021
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I am admittedly somewhat of a history geek, but this history of Scotland is above the par. The amount of information he crams into a surprisingly reader friendly text is amazing. He somehow manages to make almost understandable the twists and turns of Scotland’s complex struggles for both political and personal freedom and the amazing contributions Scots have made to the world in nearly every field of endeavor. His orderly progression through the centuries helped me pull together the bits and pieces I’ve accumulated over the years, from sources as varied as history books, family legends, movies, and historical fiction. (We have family stories about William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, but did they know each other?!!).

With Oliver’s help, I have finally got it! I unreservedly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the impact of this big little country!
14 people found this helpful
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serenity
5.0 out of 5 stars A Scot's History of Scotland
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2014
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Neil Oliver is an archaeologist and a historian. More, he is passionate about both, and especially is he passionate in his love for Scotland, the land of his birth. I've enjoyed his documentaries. And now this book fills in loads of details that make his presentation even more rich and fascinating.
Beginning with the formation of the land itself, from geological discoveries, Oliver traces the development of an environment that would spawn and encourage the human beings who would not be daunted by the "wind-swept rock," but who would become as tough, hardy, and independent as they needed to be in order to survive and endure. It's a myth-dispelling book, one in which the author deals as honestly as he can, given historical and archaeological evidence, with the strengths and weaknesses of a fascinating people.
The book is beautiful and highly readable. I recommend it with all my heart.
13 people found this helpful
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WS
4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and well worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2016
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A fairly thorough and thought-provoking book that takes a hard look at the reality of Scottish history, shining a harsh light on historical figures who are normally only viewed through the misty golden glow of nostalgia. At times the author's attack on tradition seems purposefully aggressive, leaving me to wonder about his agenda, and he has nothing but praise for the man whose incompetence we now know was in large part responsible for the devastating Jacobite loss at Culloden. But this is a book worth reading. It's spurred me to do a little more research into areas where his version differs from other histories. I'll likely purchase a printed copy for reference.
9 people found this helpful
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isorox
5.0 out of 5 stars Vibrant and thorough
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2022
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This is a beautifully written history. The story itself is enthralling and the presentation does it justice. I highly recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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Rene Harper
3.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Poor Quality
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2021
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I'm only ~100 pages into the book and the first chapter has become unglued and fallen out (paperback). I do bend my books backwards as I read them, but this has never resulted in a brand new book falling apart before. Currently using 2 small binder clips to keep the pages attached to the cover so I can reread them in the future... less than ideal/expected.
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Top reviews from other countries

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M Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, most engaging history books I have ever read
Reviewed in Germany on March 14, 2021
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I cannot praise this book enough. It is one of the best, most engaging history books I have ever read. Neil Oliver begins his history of Scotland at a time when the Earth is still molten establishing the importance of geography for understanding Scotland's history. His treatment of Scotland is also philosophical in that explains what motivated the history of the country. He has left me with a much greater understanding and appreciation of Scotland and its history.
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carolina
5.0 out of 5 stars Apasionante, estremecedora, clarificadora
Reviewed in Spain on October 20, 2019
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He leído este libro después de un viaje familiar recorriendo Scotland, empapándome de paisajes, cultura, historia y gente maravillosa que me han hecho sentir como en casa. Leerlo me ha hecho entender y amar aún más esta pequeña y extraordinaria nación.
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Shavi
5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing and wonderfully written history of Scotland
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2019
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I was obviously interested in the history of Scotland so I was quite certain reading a history book would certainly be a pleasant experience, and I decided to get Neil Oliver's given his very good reviews. I couldn't have been happier with my purchase. The history of Scotland on its own is fascinating enough: upfront resistance to the Roman Empire, the surge of two differentiated cultures, murders amongst family, deadly traps for hitherto friends, sadist torture, monarchs in exile who because of a small slip because of their humanity they changed the course of history... But Neil delivers it at a wave length that makes this magnificent tale a story you cannot take your eyes of. I simply could not stop reading before I finished a chapter (which I warn you, are quite lengthy and full of details worth digesting slowly). The storytelling was that good. And in the fashion of George Martin's GOT novels, he intertwines the backs and forths of the different actors of Scotland, not necessarily following the same timeline, which keeps the story thrilling and alive throughout the book.

One can tell Neil's passion for geology, as the first chapter is a beautiful introduction to the creation of Scotland, the rock that is Scotland. And after the amazing main body of the book (the Roman threat, the invasion of the Angles, the Kingdom of Alba with the house of Alpin, the Canmores, then Scotland with the Bruce, the Stewarts, and the ever-present Lords of the Isles...) there is an amazing flashforward at the end, rapidly but effectively covering contemporary history in Britain and Scotland in particular that allows us to understand the current Scottish psyche at a very deep level.

All in all, even if you're not particularly fond of history, you'll be hooked to this book. And if you happen to have an interest in it, I'd bet my money it's going to carry you away.
18 people found this helpful
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Maillot Patricia
5.0 out of 5 stars histoire de L Ecosse
Reviewed in France on October 23, 2017
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Diffcile de trouver un vrai livre sur l histoire de l'Ecosse en francais...celui ci est bien documenté et tout à fait ce que je recherchais...je recommande.
One person found this helpful
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Stephanie Black
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Introduction
Reviewed in Australia on March 18, 2021
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A fascinating and readable history which has served as my introduction to the topic. I found it gripping, the story of my ancestors is both appauling and fascinating, the readability of this volume making it easy to focus on the story. I thought the character of Scotland, its leaders, warfare, thinking and people were covered thoroughly. The pictures were a highlight, although they would've enhanced my experience if they appeared throughout the book rather than all at the end. I'd've enjoyed more details about the everyday Scottish too, although what I found here was a good introduction.
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