A History of Scotland

by J.D. Mackie, Bruce Lenman (Editor), Geoffrey Parker (Editor)

A history that is equally entertaining and enlightening, illustrating all of the changes of power and intricacies that are necessary to understand the interrelation between England and Scotland and the Highland and Lowland populations. It shows how Duncan (1034-40) emerged from 'the union of the four peoples' as the first king of a united Scotland and provides detailed, reign-by-reign accounts from then on. Above all Professor Mackie reveals how the Scots long pursued an independent line - in religion, law, culture and foreign policy - that helped them keep at bay the Romans, the French and the English.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Scotland, Historical, European History, World History

413 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

J.D. Mackie was a Scottish historian. He was appointed Historiographer Royal for Scotland in 1957.

Reviews

[Rob McClintock]

I really struggled with this book. I bought it thinking it would be a nice, somewhat concise overview of the Scottish history. I found the writing style really dense and obtuse, and that the author presumed you knew much of the history already. This is exactly why I had bought the book in hopes of enlightenment. The modern era moved much quicker, but my knowledge gaps still remain with the early years. It was helpful to learn that the kingdom was really a maritime operation early on and that the land was really on the margins of history at that time. Nevertheless, I am glad to move on to something else.

[Allen Perry]

I couldn't get through it. It jumps around far too much and is reminiscent of the opening chapters of the Bible with who begat who. History does not have to be dull and should be at least somewhat chronological. This is not. To those who make it through good on ya!

[Adam Chandler]

Mackie attempts the difficult task of condensing the history of a nation to a book under 400 pages. I will not say he succeeds in every respect but he does a decent job. The history of Scotland prior to about 1400 is too faced paced, giving relatively few details past names and dates (making it harder to track than a historical narrative). Once things start coming to the Renaissance and Reformation in Scotland (what Mackie taught as a professor), there is much more information which helps flush out what is going on in the nation. He tries to focus more on politics more than anything else, getting into subjects like the economy and relations with England in detail should those subjects arise. Warfare is not discussed as much as I would have expected, especially the 14th century conflicts with England which was kept too brief to help understand the political issues at the time.

[Scott]

I read this surprisingly fast for a somewhat dull history of Scotland. For some reason, once I got used to the writing style I found it to move quite quickly. However I also would skim sections I didn’t find as interesting. That being the case, for the variety covered, this is a great history.

[Paul Morris]

So disappointed with this book. I felt like a fool not knowing so many apparently obvious terms and events that are mentioned in passing. I gave up after a relatively short time and will look for something of a more introductory nature to help understand the history of my adopted homeland.

[Helen]

For a book that's only 380 pages but expands Scottish history from roughly 500 ad to 1977, you're not going to get a lot of detail, especially in the early years. But if you're just looking for an overview, this is the book for you.

[Nicole]

A really good book to learn about Scottish history but keep track of all the names mentioned because there are too many of them to remember who is who...

[Ian Billick]

A bit thick. Seems to assume prior knowledge.

[W.]

3.5

[Gary]

A somewhat dated but very detailed one-volume overview of Scottish history from the beginnings to the 1970s. J. D. Mackie is a distinguished Scottish historian, who in 1957 was appointed royal historiographer for Scotland. This books was originally published in 1964. It was updated for the Penguin edition by Bruce Lenman and Geoffrey Parker.

[Lord_Humungus]

Many historians have the same defect: they write as if the intended reader is already very familiar with the subject and their only function was to perfect his understanding. The book is utterly unreadable, a complete waste of time for the general reader. I abandoned it one-third along. And the only things I could understand were thanks I had Wikipedia with me, not thanks to the author.

[Neal]

I was interested because the Boswells have been in Scotland about 900 years now. Unless you are interested in the history of Scotland and you don't mind a book that reads like a text book, then it's not for you.

[John]

Good in parts. The author had a real turn of phrase when he wanted to and his final chapter had some funny moments. But too often it was bogged down in blow by blow descriptions of religious and academic disputes and stuff about the constitution.

[Iain Watson]

The History of Scotland (Penguin History) by J. D. Mackie (1984)

[Miriam]

Learned what devolution is (after looking it up in a dictionary).

[Thomas Mackie]

One of my first books in Scottish history.

[Rhode PVD]

A bit heavy going. I keep for reference and the enjoyment of seeing on my shelves, rather than as a read read.

[Todd]

couldn't finish it.

[Drae Wright]

I am pretty sure this is good book. What I am trying to say is that I could not tell. Probably, I should have read a slightly more elementary history of Scotland, perhaps giving overviews and definitions as we went. As you might guess, I only slogged through it although the writing seemed clear and coherent enough, I just did not have enough background info in my head of things Scottish to hang the various topics on to make sense of the big picture. So, it may have been a little dry or I may have been the dry one. For this reason I've chosen not to give a star rating. I suspect it is at least a four star book but for me, right now, it was a three star experience. Maybe I will try it again after I educate myself a little more on the topics included. It really did seem good, I just could not keep up, kept "skimming" to the parts I could somewhat follow. Your call...