Surprise! The Scots Have No History.

[Highland Logan]

The Works of Ossian, have long been thought to be fake, and a fraud written by James MacPherson. It fact many of the story's are contradicted by actual historical fact. The Clans use them when it suites them, but even their own histories come into question. The MacLeod's are the result of a human and fairy mix... does that sound plausible? The past Chief of Clan MacLennan, has a genealogy list which has Adam at the start. Myth has long been a component of Scottish history. With the advent of the internet, anyone can write whatever they want a share it with the masses. And before you know it the misinformation, or lie is being passed off as fact all over the world.

Frank Logan

[Nick the DSM]

this article is fubar! fubar i tell you!

[SteveB]

My comment was not on the book, only on the "news" article.
History Books are only written by the victors. The losers aren't interested in promoting their loss.
For the most part Anglo-American relations are on good terms, but you would never think it possible if you studied the history works of the two nations. My U.K. book decries the revolt of the colonies, and the dishonourable actions of those subjects of the Crown. My U.S. book celebrates the vanquish of the Crown on certain battlefields by the "Patriots". Both are intended to evoke the glory of the side it is written for.

[macwilkin]

My comment was not on the book, only on the "news" article.
History Books are only written by the victors. The losers aren't interested in promoting their loss.

You've never been to the South, have you? *

*DISCLAIMER: No offence is meant towards our Southern brethren. As the Yankee husband of a Southerner, I greatly admire the Southerner's pride of place and sense of history.

For the most part Anglo-American relations are on good terms, but you would never think it possible if you studied the history works of the two nations. My U.K. book decries the revolt of the colonies, and the dishonourable actions of those subjects of the Crown. My U.S. book celebrates the vanquish of the Crown on certain battlefields by the "Patriots". Both are intended to evoke the glory of the side it is written for.

There is a relatively new trend in American history to not study the Rebellion/Revolution in a vacuum, but to place it in a more broader Colonial North American context. At present I am reading Andrew Roberts' sequel to Churchill's History of the English-Speaking Peoples which is quite fascinating.

The American Revolution really was our first Civil War in many ways.

T.

[davedove]

There is a relatively new trend in American history to not study the Rebellion/Revolution in a vacuum, but to place it in a more broader Colonial North American context.

I read an article one time (I can't remember where) that described the American Revolution from the English crown's point of view. It was very interesting.

The same place also had a similar article about the Alamo from Santa Anna's point of view.

It's always good to see the other side of the story.

[MACKAY]

There are always three sides to every story. My side. Your side. And the truth.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

History Books are only written by the victors.

Rather a sweeping generalization. I've probably got almost as many books on WWII written from the German perspective as from the US or British perspective. I think what you may have intended to say is that the victors tend to read only the histories that glorify their triumphs. That, of course, is the way of human nature.

[Phil]

There is a slightly more objective review of the book here - http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle3953025.ece - which relies a bit less on the sensational.
Irrespective of who invented the kilt or when, it is now undeniably a form of dress unique to Scotland which is really all that matters. The Welsh and Irish have recently adopted their own forms of highland dress and just because it was originally Scottish doesn't make it any less valid for them. It is just the same old "cowboy jeans" argument all over again.