History of Scotland

[StevieJoePayne]

I have a high level and general knowledge of the history of Scotland from reading European and particularly English history. As my interest has grown after becoming a member of this site, I wanted to grow my knowledge and depth of the history of Scotland. I have purchased a course in Gaelic and I bought "Scotland: The story of a Nation" by Magnus Magnusson. I am about six chapters into the book and have a growing feeling of the level of ignorance I possessed. I am trying to rectify that with this book as a beginning. I doubt I will stop there as surely it will lead me to more books of greater detail in their story telling. I already hunger for more knowledge of Robert Bruce. Have others read the book I am working in at the moment? Thank you,

Stevie Joe Payne

[heilanner]

i have a copy of it sitting in the next room. i haven't read it all yet though as i prefer reading the history of my local area (Aberdeenshire).

as far as learning the Gaelic, good for you. i don't speak it personally, but then Gaelic was never really the language up here in the north-east, it was spoken more in the highlands and islands.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

PM CajunScot and ask him to post his list of the ten Scottish History books everyone should have on their book shelf.

[ForresterModern]

I chose the same Magnusson book for my initiation into Scottish history, and spent a couple months pouring over it. It still sits on my nightstand as I frequently refer back to it for some small piece of information I either forgot or missed the first time through. It is a very complex story, but fascinating at every turn.

If it taught me one thing it is that there is no true truce or irreversible agreement, and you can only trust your own "family", and even them only so far. Feudal times were truly dog eat dog.

My second book is "Steel Bonnets" , the story of the Border Rievers, of which my clan was one.

[JolyStNicholas]

I am about half a book ahead of you and it just keeps getting better!

Another book I have on hand to read next is by Fitzroy MaClean called "Scotland, A Concise History" It was recommended by a friend as a follow up
reading!

[wvpiper]

"Scotland: The story of a Nation" by Magnus Magnusson. Have others read the book I am working in at the moment? Thank you,

Stevie Joe Payne

I've thumbed through it and the book mentioned by Joly while sitting at the bookstore with a cup of coffee and a few minutes before the kids take off running away from the train table

I've also read TC Smout's 'A History of the Scottish People 1560-1830' .

I'm currently plowing through Albion's Seed, not much in the way of purely Scottish history, but interesting nonetheless.

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

Any of John Prebble's books are a good read. They can usually be found on Amazon or in any good used book shop.
Enjoy your reading,
Sara
:ootd:

[Phogfan86]

I found the book for $1 -- new condition -- on Amazon used books and thought, "What he heck?" I'm really glad I did. My first read-through was a little rough, mainly because I was digesting all new information. The second time through, things made a lot more sense, partly because I'd done some other reading in the meantime.

Cajun, please do us the service of posting that list. I'm new enough, I don't think I've ever seen it and would love to!

[Fougasse]

Try Scotland, A New History by Michael Lynch ISBN 0-7126-9893-0

[Scotus]

Scotland: The story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson is one of the best histories I've read for an overview of Scottish history, so you've done well with this selection. I would recommend Alan Young's Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns. It's my favorite book dealing with a more specific aspect of Scottish history, but I'm a bit slanted toward the Comyn side in my views.