The Scottish Nation: A Modern History

by T.M. Devine, James Cameron Stewart (Narrator)

"A tremendous study of transformation . . . Devine's strength is his huge learning in the field of social history, especially the story of the rural communities of Scotland." (Neal Ascherson, Los Angeles Times)

"Splendid . . . will remain the standard one in its field for a long time." (The Times Literary Supplement)

T. M. Devine uses extensive original research to examine Scotland's urban vigor as well as describing the traditional aspects of Scottish history, covering key topics such as the Union, the Enlightenment, Industrialization, the Clearances, Religion, and the Road to Devolution. He also explores the global Diaspora of the Scots, the impact of migrants, and the effect of the World Wars. Throughout, Scotland's story is set against the background of British, European, and world history.

Genres: History, Scotland, Nonfiction, British Literature, Historical, Academic, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published September 30, 1999

About the author

Sir Thomas Martin Devine, Kt OBE FBA FRSE HonMRIA FRHistS FSA Scot, is a Scottish academic historian. Devine's main research interest is the history of the Scottish nation since c. 1600 and its global connections and impact. He is regarded as the leading authority on the history of modern Scotland.

He is the author or editor of some three dozen books and close to 100 articles on topics as diverse as emigration, famine, identity, Scottish transatlantic commercial links, urban history, the economic history of Scotland, Empire, the Scottish Highlands, the Irish in Scotland, sectarianism, stability and protest in the 18th century Lowlands, Scottish elites, the Anglo-Scottish Union, rural social history, Caribbean slavery and Scotland, the global impact of the Scottish people and comparative Irish and Scottish relationships. The Scottish Nation (1999) became an international best-seller, and for a short period even outsold in Scotland the adventures of Harry Potter when first published. In 2013 the volume was listed first in the '100 Best Books to Build a Better Scotland' compiled by ListMuse.com.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Devine

Reviews

[Darya Silman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written deep analysis of the past of the Scottish nation. Author uses an interesting way of approaching the material: each historical period is divided into topics from sociology till politics. The reason why I put 4/5 is that the last almost contemporary period of history was jammed, as if the author was hurrying to finish the book. While the rest of the book was relatively easy read, it took me a month to finish the last chapter which talks mostly about politics .

[Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written, readable book, impeccably sourced and researched. It's taken me quite a while to get through it, although that's mostly because I'd put it down for months at a time so that I could read something lighter.

Devine takes the history of Scotland over the last three hundred years or so and breaks it down by era and then within the era, he looks at different aspects of the social and political history of the country. So the first is roughly around the Act of Union and its consequences, then the early industrial era, taking us up to the start of the Victorian era. This is followed by the largest section, covering the Victorian and Edwardian eras, bringing us to the edge of the second world war, and the final section brings us right up to the present day (or at least up to when the book was written in 2007, updated to the eve of the Indyref in 2012).

There's a huge amount of research here, and it covers many subjects, from the 'traditional' history of geopolitics, kings and the Great and the Good, to the rise of the lowland cities, the end of clanship, the place of women, migration (both into and out of Scotland) and much more.

As well as covering the Highland clearances, Devine looks at the effects of the underlying causes on the Lowlands as well. He covers the period of Scotland's (and especially Glasgow's) ascendency as 'the world's workshop' and 'second city of the empire' and looks at its decline and the roots and causes of that.

All in all, the book is very comprehensive, readable and has definitely given me an overview of the modern history of the country that I have chosen to call home.

[Jovana]

If you are looking for an all-encompassing resource on Scottish history, life and culture throughout the period in the title, you've found it. This book is incredibly detailed without being pedantic and boring. It provides you with the information you need and would be most interested in, and often employs quotes and real-life examples to substantiate its points.

I can't believe I actually read a non-fiction book word for word. If I did that, you know it's good.

[Sem Sodermans · Rating 3 out of 5]

insanely lang maar wel interessant

[Eilidh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a history module that focused on Scottish history, in particular, Scotland’s place in the Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment.

This is a massive book, and it’s size should be considered when the reader takes it on (for instance, probably best to get it as a kindle book if you don’t like heavy books!)

Devine’s way of writing about Scotland’s history was extremely engaging and moving. I felt truly patriotic whilst reading Scottish Nation, and I couldn’t get through the book fast enough. It details Scotland’s social, political and economic history, in a time when Scotland was known as “the workshop of the world”. Reading this book didn’t feel like it was part of my coursework, but rather, it made me feel connected to my country’s past and was a joy to learn about how today’s position is the result of what was, the good and the bad. I thoroughly recommend Devine’s book for anyone who wants to learn about Scotland’s social, economic and political history during that time period.

[Erik Champenois · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written, thorough history of Scotland since 1700, pulling together a lot of scholarship not otherwise accessible in book format. While the book sometimes gets a little dry and longwinded (especially in the more economics-oriented chapters), it's depth of detail and analysis helps you better understand Scotland and its history much better than Magnusson's "Scotland: History of a Nation" (which primarily covers the period prior to 1700). The author takes a moderate tone when it comes to the question of Scottish nationalism versus Unionism, neither strongly favoring the one or the other, but explaining history and political developments as they happened. Well worth the read for anyone interested in Scottish history.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Canadian of Scottish heritage I thought I should know the history of our homeland. I have been to Scotland a number of times and love it. I wanted to know the history of the country and now I do. The author is amazing and I loved this book.

[Kristian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Još jedna ogromna knjiga, ovaj put o Škotskoj jer planiram uskoro ići u Škotsku, pa da štogod znam i da se mogu pravit pametan pred prinateljima.

Knjiga je sasvim pristojna samo me ne zanima tko je pobjedio na svakim održanim izborima u Škotskon ikad.

[Nick]

This book is essentially everything you need to become well-aquainted with Scottish history. It goes into a good amount of detail on cultural, economic, religious, political, and electoral history within Scotland. It assumes a generally good understanding of European and British history, starting from the Union in 1707 to the devolution of Scottish parliament in 1999. I read it both for general interest and geneological reasons, and it delivered a lot of well-sourced and detailed information on all fronts.

Scotland was extremely atypical in the 18th century, having a literacy rate well above many other European countries, a (for its time) well functioning education system, and an outpouring of creativity, energy, and industry, making it among the most quickly-urbanized societies in history (modern China may have given them the run for their money on that title, however). I particularly liked the detailed description of land clearances in the lowlands and highlands, and how this related to urbanization, emigration, and the decline of highland culture.

[Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive and outstanding piece of work, which I would go so far as demand is made compulsory reading before being allowed to opinionate on any matter of Scottish politics, most particularly the issue of independence.

Unfortunately I read this directly after reading Bill Bryson's At Home, an altogether lighter take on a different aspect of history, but, in comparison, made Devine's work feel a little dry and staid. Although in book form, it does feel that it is composed of a number of once separate essays - there is a lot of repetition of the same arguments across many of the chapters. It also assumes that the reader is already familiar with a significant amount of Scottish history, geography and current affairs. This is more obvious when aspects of late 20th Century affairs are covered: while perhaps recent history in the lifetime of the author and a significant proportion of his audience, many of the events are quite alien to a younger generation.

[Matt Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished on 2 Jan 2024:

Had to close this one out early so it wouldn’t affect my 2024 challenge (had an issue a few years back), but MAN… I did it.

I started this book 2 weeks before my first ever international trip/trip to Scotland, and I have slowly toiled my way through it over the last 8 months.

Regarding the rating, the information contained inside is great. Detailed, easy to understand - hence 4/5.

That said, it is incredibly dense. Not a lot of paragraph breaks, and you’re absolutely going to get into the weeds.

While I enjoyed learning about the more modern centuries of Scottish history, it just doesn’t hold my interest the way kings and battles did… housing crises and jute markets don’t quite hold up to duplicity and murders.

All in all, I’d rank this a 3/5 for entertainment, but as a whole, the book deserves a higher score for its value.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense and informative, but also very slow going.

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and scholarly history of Scotland from the Act of Union to the present day. The book examines numerous different themes in Scottish history including the Jacobite rebellions, industrialization, education, the Scottish Presbyterian Church, the role of women in society, immigration and emigration. I found the analysis of the history of the Scottish education system especially interesting as elementary school was widely available but secondary schools took much longer to develop. There is also a lot of fascinating discussion of industrialization and the emergence of Scotland as "the world's workshop." The audiobook often refers to tables and charts available in print or e-book - these charts should be available to audiobook listeners as a supplementary document.

[Fred Frisbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this book as it provided a (very) through analysis of Scotland from 1707 to the present day through a variety of themes.

If I was going to rank them it was mostly religion, industrialisation and clearances, integration and succeding with empire, emigration of scots & immigration of Irish, the wars and finally the rise of Scottish nationalism.

I do wonder if this book at been written after the SNP won in 2007 or even 2011 if the book might of been less dismissive of nationalism and independence or looked for the seeds of it.

[William Guerrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has done an excellent job of compiling and streamlining 300 years of Scottish history. But what he has presented is history as told by an academic historian, not a narrative historian. The reader will therefore have to slog through statistics and may have trouble staying engaged. The author also presumes a knowledge of Scottish history, which will be disappointing to any reader expecting the book to be an introduction to the subject.

[Brendan McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This epic history covers the last 300 years of Scottish history in detail. So detailed that the ratio of pages to years covered means that each page corresponds to ~6 months! it is therefore a testament to Devine's writing that the book never feels tedious or boring. That said, though not a particularly hard read, it is certainly not light (literally or figuratively!). Nonetheless, if you are looking to read about Modern Scottish History then you literally cannot do better than this book!

[Bernie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exhaustive, recorded history of Scotland, a nation that despite its limited size has displayed a disproportionate impact on the world's intellectual and industrial development the world's academic and technical development. Scotsman Devine brings on a vast field of research,captures both the “common” subjects of Scottish history and contemporary themes from 1700-2000.
A magnificent read.

[David Bisset · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magisterial history

Tom Devine presents Scottish history in the broadest sense. Every chapter has unexpected facts and conclusions. The book finishes with the creation of a Scottish Parliament. Will this end the quest for independence or will it be the final stage in a process? Scottish identity is now far more prevalent than British. Will this be crucial? Time will tell!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant telling of the history of Scotland from the acts of the union in 1707 until the year 2000. The Highland clearances, potato famine, industrialisation and the politics. A real insight not a dull dry read.

[Jessica Harn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential for any understanding of modern Scotland

[Patrick McG · Rating 4 out of 5]

It ends arbitrarily in 2007 but you can't fault it for that, when this book was published they didn't know that the rest of the years were going to happen.

[George Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent in depth look at the years.

[Joyce Meijs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me almost a year to read, but definitely a great starting point concerning the history of Scotland and it’s culture.

[Brian B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough recounting of Scottish history starting in 1700. Moves slowly for much of the book but accelerates towards the end. Would look forward to a reissue with new material after 2012!

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dense, informative, and shockingly boring. Reads like a series of only slightly connected lit surveys, with some worthy (but dull) original research around macroeconomic issues and the ins and outs of political battles. Presumes a great deal of previous knowledge -- both about events before 1700 and during the course of the book, rendering to pretty useless for the unprimed reader.

One highlight (for me) was the brief chapter on Italian immigrants to Scotland -- this was, by contrast, interesting, well-argued, and contained anecdotal detail that rendered the overall story real. (It does help that the Italian/Scottish ice-cream connection has been a family story for years, but ...)

[Genessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! One of my favorite things about a good history is seeing all the interconnected things that are the reasons behind why things are the way they are now. I learned heaps about Scottish society, history, economics and politics, and it was really cool. Especially timely, with Scottish independence being such a big issue recently.
That said, this is not a quick, easy read, but I did find it very much worth the time.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dipped in and out of this book for the purposes of my research. I was disappointed that the Boys' Brigade has been incorrectly mentioned as being formed in 1863, 20 years before the organisation was in fact founded (p.366 in the 2006 re-issue). The book is fine and has provided me with a lot to ponder and has helped in some way to direct my research.

[Jamie Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliantly insightful picking apart of how Scotland has changed since union with England in 1707. I found the first 100 pages difficult to get through but by the last 100 I didn’t want to put it down.

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise history of a compelling country during it's most exciting era.

[Thom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 2005