Books
About The Book
Hailed as a “vast, superb history [that] relates Scotland’s past over a dozen millennia” (Kirkus Reviews), Magnusson draws on a great deal of modern scholarship to redefine a nation’s history. He charts the long struggle toward nationhood, explores the roots of the original Scots, and examines the extent to which Scotland was shaped by the Romans, the Picts, the Vikings, and the English. Encompassing everything from the first Mesolithic settlers in 7000 B.C. to the present movements for independence, Scotland: The Story of a Nation is history on an epic level, essential reading for anyone interested in the rich past of this captivating land.
Praise
“[Magnusson’s] passion for his adopted land and his extensive knowledge of its history infuse the book.” –John Maxwell Hamilton, Dallas Morning News
“This dynamic work encompasses the geology, prehistory, ethnicities, politics and cultural events that are all elements in the answer to the question, “What does it mean to be Scots?”. . . there are so many vivid legends and people in Scottish history that writing a compendium [and] organizing them all into a swift and logical narrative is no small accomplishment. . . . Scotland: The Story of a Nation is indispensable for those who simply wish to know more–and for those who wish to know everything–about Scotland, its past and present.” –Colleen Quinn, Bookreporter.com
“Almost as weighty as the Stone of Destiny, this vast, superb history relates Scotland’s past over a dozen millennia. . . . Lively, opinionated, and dense with detail, Magnusson’s tome belongs on the shelves of anyone interested in matters Scottish.” –Kirkus Reviews
‘reads like a medieval saga, filled with swashbuckling tales of kings and battlefield heroic
s.” –Publishers Weekly
‘magnusson, who has written over 20 books on his native Iceland and on Scotland, succeeds admirably in creating a pleasurable read, certainly for those with Gaelic heritage but also for any casual student of Scotland.” –Library Journal
“Lovers of history, literature, romance, or adventure will, after the first pages, be pulled irresistibly to the end. Their only regret after reaching it may be [waiting] for a sequel.” –Booklist
‘magnusson has distilled the past to give us a romp through history that is as gripping as–but far more accurate than–any Hollywood blockbuster. . . . The book will fill many a dark winter evening for anyone who wants to learn more about Scotland’s complex past or view British history from a perspective that is too often overlooked–the Scottish one.” –Laura Kibby, Sunday Express (London)
‘magnusson tells his story with vigor and lucidity. . . . He sets himself to put the romance back into history, and succeeds splendidly.” –Allan Massie, The Spectator (London)
“A very readable, traditional history told as a tale from its beginnings up to now.” –Neal Ascherson, The Observer (London)
‘readable, poignant, fascinating, a lively combination of narrative and analysis.” –Rodger Evans, The List (Glasgow and Edinburgh)
