The Story of Scotland

The story of Scotland by Nigel Tranter is his way of telling the history or rather overview of Scotland from the times of the Picts, Columba, to the Canmores, Bruces, Stewarts and finally through the Jacobite rebellions and the Highland clearances. Nigel Tranter does a beautiful job of giving any reader a basic overview of what Scotland's history and major players were all about. Not all Kings were great nor was every commoner unworthy. The book is full of choice facts and interesting tidbits that leave you wanting to know more. I found myself often jotting down notes to research further. Anyone new to Scottish history should read this to get their bearings. This book is told as though your Grandfather was telling the tale. This book is also a good outline for Tranter's other Historical fiction novels. If you like a particular peace of history then chances are that one of Tranter's novels covers the individual or event quiet well. It is like the framework that he decorates with all his novels. This book is perfect to those new and seasoned Scottish history lovers or just for Tranter fans that are looking for the summary of the land they love. Worth every penny.

...Non-Scots Alike. As a Scot, I have met many, many fellow-Scots who, having endured the careful tutelage of the "British" (English) curricula - mostly without realising the existence of the omissions, biases, and distortions inherent therein - are blissfully (ignorantly) unaware of many of the facts related in this book. Here are but a few: - John Knox was a paid-agent of Henry Tudor (VIII), and actually sold information to the English allowing the burning of Leithside by the English fleet in 1544. - Robert Burns was a Campbell, and 'Burns' is a pseudonym adopted by the family to hide a rather more-or-less typical Campbell injustice. - England owes Scotland back-taxes on the entire Tynedale region dating back to the days of Robert The Lion; the legal charter for which has never been revoked. These taxes would come to several trillions of pounds as of today, if the law were enforced... - The Stone Of Scone presently on display in Edinburgh Castle, having been stolen by Edward Longshanks and used for the coronation of English monarchs for some 700 years (including the present Queen Elizabeth), is most likely a cess-cover (sewer-cover) substituted by the monks of Scone Abbey as a great prank on the Sassenachs. And so on. If you want to know Truths about Scotland which were certainly _NOT_ taught in pre-devolution Scottish schools (things may be different now; I can only hope), this book is chock full of such choice nuggets. It is also a very fine read, as Tranter brings History to life, with wry humour and compassionate grace. I cannot emphasise enough the value of this book to anyone interested in the TRUE story of Scotland, and not the politically-filtered propaganda foisted upon so many generations of Scots in Scottish schools under the "guidance" of the Scottish Office.

If you want an interesting, entertaining history of Scotland. This is your book. We are going to Scotland as a family this summer and "The Story of Scotland" has been a great introduction to the wild ride of Scottish history. I highly recommend it.

Nigel Tranter gives a different view of the usual glorified, "Braveheart" kind of Scottish history. THE STORY OF SCOTLAND is an insider's journey through an often misunderstood country.

I suffered through history classes. There were so many dates, names, places, and events, that I just memorized the basic facts and moved on. Now that I am planning extensive travels in Scotland, I have the desire to learn Scottish history. But I never thought that I would enjoy reading about it so much!Tranter admits that he is not a historian, and that he could never cover all of Scottish history in 200 pages. What he does, however, is make the reader interested, inquisitive, and thoughtful about the events that have molded Scotland. This story reads like a novel, so it surprises me the great overview and understanding it has given me of Scotland's long history. It also surprises me that I read several chapters in one night, and absorbed a great deal of information. I found myself discussing the issues and reasons behind events with my husband, remembering many kings and dates and personal details of the players involved.If you want a place to start in understanding Scottish history, you've found it. This account covers the ancient Picts through modern times, all in a personal and interesting way. Once you read this book, you will find yourself doing more research and searching for more detailed accounts. I plan on reading this book again while in Scotland, pondering the fascinating history of the places we visit.