Book forum?

[macgreggor]

A while back I seem to recall talk about starting a book forum or discussion group or thread. I am currently reading "How the Scots Invented the Modern World" and wondered where would be the appropriate place to bounce thoughts off other 'inquiring' minds.

Thanks
Greg

[Streetcar]

I'm going through that book a second time.

I can't say enough good things about it. I gave me a whole new insight to Scottish culture - highlands and lowlands. It is also the clearest account of Culloden that I've read.

[macgreggor]

I was expecting a light, little spoof kinda thing. Was I suprised! Quite scholarly, well written, lots of good quotes.

It does seem that none of the "Institutions" of Scotland, i.e. the clan system, the Kirk, Parliment, comes off as flexible and forward thinking. Nonetheless, by the stats given and changes cited, the Scots just EXPLODED out into the larger world.

Once more proving, as in the case of the Jews, that sheer numbers aren't the important thing!

Greg

[jhockin]

I'm just finishing this book. After almost forcing myself through the early chapters, where the authors' political bias almost had me quit, in disgust, I found it easier going. However, the thing I wanted to ask others, here, is did anyone else note ( pages 312 & 313) his description of the "breacan an feileadh, the full twelve yards of plaid baggily belted in the middle "? Not sure if he understands the difference between single width and double width ( 12 yds of single width, cut in 1/2, to make 6yds of material, for 'baggily belting'). If I had an email address, for the author, I'd likely send him a link to Matts article.

[macwilkin]

I'm just finishing this book. After almost forcing myself through the early chapters, where the authors' political bias almost had me quit, in disgust, I found it easier going. However, the thing I wanted to ask others, here, is did anyone else note ( pages 312 & 313) his description of the "breacan an feileadh, the full twelve yards of plaid baggily belted in the middle "? Not sure if he understands the difference between single width and double width ( 12 yds of single width, cut in 1/2, to make 6yds of material, for 'baggily belting'). If I had an email address, for the author, I'd likely send him a link to Matts article.

Considering the book was published in 2002, I doubt you'll get a retraction.

I have to ask, though...what "political bias"? Granted, it's been a while since I read Herman's book, but I don't remember the book being "political" in terms of modern politics.

Regards,

Todd

[jhockin]

Without getting too detailed, and trying to avoid the ban on political discussions, I'd just refer to the authors' ( mostly) uncritical praise of Adam Smith, his ideas & "free trade", etc.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Without getting too detailed, and trying to avoid the ban on political discussions, I'd just refer to the authors' ( mostly) uncritical praise of Adam Smith, his ideas & "free trade", etc.

For those not in the know:

Adam Smith (1723-1790) was an 18th century political economist and moral philosopher, born in Kirkaldy, Fife. "In his mid-twenties he became friends with of members of the Edinburgh intelligencia including David Hume, John Home, and William Robertson, and from 1751 (at the age of 28) he held the chair of logic at Glasgow University, transferring to Moral Philosophy in 1755. Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) argued for an innate sympathy with others on the basis of social morality. In 1776 he published his Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, a brilliant synthesis of concepts such as the division of labour, market mechanisms and credit structures. He endorsed free trade and consumer sovereignty but he believed in enlightened self-interest as well as moral sympathy." (Quoted material from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Scotland.)

So, if one agrees with the basic premise of Adam Smith's 18th century philosophies-- keeping in mind the fact that his published works are still required reading in economic studies at universities around the world-- one would probably be largely uncritical of the contributions made by Smith to moral and economic philosophy. If, on the other hand, one did not agree with the concepts of "free trade"-- or Smith's other economic and philosophic ideas-- then one could be critical of his work, or critical of the unstinting praise heaped upon him in How The Scots Invented The Modern World.

It is, in the final analysis, a matter of historical perspective versus political ideology.

[svc40bt]

While I managed to receive my business economics degree without reading 'Wealth of Nations, my professors thought highly enough of Mr. Smith to give me a copy of the book with all their signatures at my graduation. His book covers most of the basic theories taught in modern micro and macro-economics.

[Bugbear]

All right, I located and downloaded Adam Smith's, "An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations," which is a very large book. That's the only one I found for Adam Smith. However, I have a few works in my digital library by David Hume.

I have not found "How the Scots Invented the Modern
World" yet, though.

Right now, I am reading on another subject, so it might be a while before I take a good look at the book, and that will not be a one day read (1950 pages) like some of the 2-3 hundred pagers.

* I read some of the introduction; it sounds like a counter to Marxist philosophy. Thank you for bringing up the book and author.
Smith even talks about the weaving and production of fabric. Perhaps the word "savages" is what is bothering people... Ehh, what do I know? *

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Smith's Wealth of Nations pre-dates Marx's Das Kapital by a century.