redstevie007 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I'm a proud and passionate Scot, but recently I've had a real hankering to learn more of the detail of our history, which I'm ashamed to say I don't know a great deal about. Can anyone recommend a decent book to start with? Something that encompasses our entire history, from Columba to present day (ish)? I think a broad brush to start with and then get into individual periods or events in more detail is a good way to start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasMc1973 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 just about to graduate in Scottish History so got plenty for you lol Michael Lynch - Scotland: A New History was brought up time and time again as a starting point before you get into the monologues and heavier stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstevie007 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 just about to graduate in Scottish History so got plenty for you lol Michael Lynch - Scotland: A New History was brought up time and time again as a starting point before you get into the monologues and heavier stuff. Cheers pal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParisInAKilt Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Shat it 2014 The end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainmac1 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 (edited) I would stay well clear of Michael lynch's book, it's not an easy read and will put you right off! I remember reading it years ago when I did my history degree and found it awful. In a drunken student moment I emailed him to tell him his book was shit. Got a good reply though. I'm doing masters in Scottish history just now but remember a few good books that are exactly what your after, going through all eras throughout history. One in particular was good for giving you an insight into all times and events, going into decent enough detail. Can't remember the name of it but will have a Google search and should recognise it. Edited June 20, 2015 by iainmac1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Iain was it Magnus Magnussons Story of a Nation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstevie007 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 (edited) I would stay well clear of Michael lynch's book, it's not an easy read and will put you right off! I remember reading it years ago when I did my history degree and found it awful. In a drunken student moment I emailed him to tell him his book was shit. Got a good reply though. I'm doing masters in Scottish history just now but remember a few good books that are exactly what your after, going through all eras throughout history. One in particular was good for giving you an insight into all times and events, going into decent enough detail. Can't remember the name of it but will have a Google search and should recognise it. Cheers Just had a look at Michael Lynch's book but didn't buy as it had really mixed reviews and seems very academic (which I suppose most history books are). Might have a closer look and see. Edited June 20, 2015 by redstevie007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boynze Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 What about the one written by yon long haired chap? I have but have never read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyDenoon Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 (edited) What about the one written by yon long haired chap? I have but have never read it.I've read that and it is pretty decent especially if you want to avoid the heavier more academic stuff.Good read, goes into enough depth to understand what is behind a lot of the events in our history but not so much that you lose sight of the overall story. I think it's meant to supplement the DVD series he did which is quite a good watch. Edited June 20, 2015 by DaveyDenoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossy Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Anything by David Starkey is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyDenoon Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Anything by David Starkey is good. ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark frae Crieff Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Anything by David Starkey is good. Aye if ye have a table wi a shorter leg.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariokempes56 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Anything by David Starkey is good. ##;'*&7$" @ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stocky Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Nigel Tranters Story of Scotland is a good light way to get into our History... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auchinyell Sox Change Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Shat it 2014 The end you missed the prequel Almost bankrupt 1707 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new hugh Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 (edited) Scotland - The Autobiography, edited by Rosemary Goring. Great book, and probably the best place to start as the OP requested. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotland-Autobiography-Scottish-History-Happen/dp/0241969166 Edited June 21, 2015 by new hugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstevie007 Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 Scotland - The Autobiography, edited by Rosemary Goring. Great book, and probably the best place to start as the OP requested. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotland-Autobiography-Scottish-History-Happen/dp/0241969166 Just downloaded it, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scouse Eddie Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Same here thick as fcuk with scottish history, my daughter gets married next week and my future son in law has just gained a masters in history, i was gutted when he told me kilts were not invented in Bannockburn days, i told him he must be reading the wrong books.Though he is patriotic englishman he does like Wallace and what he stood for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariokempes56 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Same here thick as fcuk with scottish history, my daughter gets married next week and my future son in law has just gained a masters in history, i was gutted when he told me kilts were not invented in Bannockburn days, i told him he must be reading the wrong books.Though he is patriotic englishman he does like Wallace and what he stood for. But, from memory, most modern tartans were "created" in Bannockburn by immigrant polish designer. As far as I recall.. Story is on web somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckielugger Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Nigel Tranter's novels are my favourite books. Each one covers a particular period such as one king'reign. All are meticulously researched. He studied everything to ensure historical accuracy and visited every location, walked every hill and glen. The dialogue etc is then created as fiction but all very readable and entertaining and engrossing. Tranter was an interesting person too. He launched a legal case to have the Queen called Elizabeth 1st in Scotland as quite obviously Scotland has never had any other Queen Elizabeth. He was also involved in the temporary repatriation of the Stone of Destiny. Anyway, his Robert The Bruce trilogy would be a brilliant start. Also love the earliest period novel, Druid Sacrifice which covers the life of Saint Mungo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 i was gutted when he told me kilts were not invented in Bannockburn days. The TA wore jeans & Samba back then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stocky Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Nigel Tranter's novels are my favourite books. Each one covers a particular period such as one king'reign. All are meticulously researched. He studied everything to ensure historical accuracy and visited every location, walked every hill and glen. The dialogue etc is then created as fiction but all very readable and entertaining and engrossing. Tranter was an interesting person too. He launched a legal case to have the Queen called Elizabeth 1st in Scotland as quite obviously Scotland has never had any other Queen Elizabeth. He was also involved in the temporary repatriation of the Stone of Destiny. Anyway, his Robert The Bruce trilogy would be a brilliant start. Also love the earliest period novel, Druid Sacrifice which covers the life of Saint Mungo. I agree 100% with all that. his Macbeth book is also brill as is the Kenneth macAlpine one. Want to get into Scottish History get some Tranters..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teecee- Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Tom Devine The Scottish Nation, 1700- 2007. Full of interesting facts like during the 1st WW 25% of Scottish soldiers killed. English? 11%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flora MaDonald Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Tom Devine The Scottish Nation, 1700- 2007. Full of interesting facts like during the 1st WW 25% of Scottish soldiers killed. English? 11%. Cannon fodder as usual. Unarmed pipers marched into the face of enemy fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peever1745 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 John prebble wrote some good books on events in our history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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