The Scottish Enlightenment:
The Scots' Invention of the Modern World
by Arthur Herman - Paperback £6.99 Hardback
This work presents the history of how Scotland produced the institutions, beliefs and human character that have made the West into the most powerful culture in the world. Within one hundred years, the nation that began the 18th century dominated by the harsh and repressive Scottish Kirk had evolved into Europe's most literate society, producing an idea of modernity that has shaped much of civilisation as we know it. Arthur Herman argues that Scotland's turbulent history, from William Wallace to the Presbyterian Lords of the Covenant, laid the foundations for "the Scottish miracle". He follows the lives and work of thinkers such as Adam Smith and David Hume, writers such as Burns and Boswell, as well as architects, technicians and inventors, and traces their legacy into the 20th century.
Buy Paperback From Amazon.co.uk
Buy Hardback From Amazon.co.uk
Buy Paperback From Amazon.com
Return to: Scottish History & Archaeology
Book Description
In 1696, on an unseasonably cold August evening, Thomas Aikenhead joked to friends as they hurried through Edinburgh's wind-blown streets that he would rather be in 'hell, to warm myself there.' The young theology student would pay for this remark with his life. Yet within one hundred years, the nation that began the eighteenth century dominated by the harsh and repressive Scottish Kirk had evolved into Europe's most literate society, producing an idea of modernity that has shaped much of civilisation as we know it.
Arthur Herman argues that Scotland's turbulent history, from William Wallace to the Presbyterian Lords of the Covenant, laid the foundations for 'the Scottish miracle'. Harsh economic reality compelled Scotland into the act of Union with England in 1707, a move considered by many Scots at the time to sound the death-knell for their country and its culture. Within decades, however, a remarkable circle of Scottish thinkers, including David Hume and Adam Smith, gave birth to the key assumptions that underlie modern politics, economics, morals and cultural life. The Scots went on to become the mainstays of the British Empire, infusing this system of exploitation with a spirit of co-operation. Emigration to America brought inspiration for the American Revolution, and ultimately, towering figures such as Alexander Carnegie and Alexander Graham Bell fuelled the rise of America's capitalist democracy. Written with wit, erudition and clarity, The Scottish Enlightenment traces the pervasive influence of a nation and its people to claim their rightful place in the history of the western world.
Product Details
ISBN: 1841152765
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Pages: 454p
.
Buy Paperback From Amazon.co.uk
Buy Hardback From Amazon.co.uk
Return to: Scottish History & Archaeology
Customer Reviews
Informative and Fun, 25 Dec 2007
By Mr President "POTUS" (Glasgow)
What a fun book this turned out to be. This book was a classic case of picking a book off the history shelf in a library and dubiously reading the first few pages to get an idea of what it was about. Im glad I did.
I will not claim to have an indepth understanding about political theories of the 18th century. This book in many respects was introducing me to many of them for the first time. However, it did so in an accessible and trully interesting manner. It starts its narrative in the years just before the Act of Union in 1707. It ends towards the end of the 19th century. The ideas and those behind them are described well. The book avoids what many others do in overloading a general reader with jargon.
What I loved most about this book was the colour that the author injected when describing the personality of the key figures of the enlightenment. One particularly amusing story is David Hume trapped in a swamp and a passer by will only help him if he recants his athiesm. The author also describes that most of the key figures lift so close together in 'Auld Reekie' that they could shout to one another from their houses. Political and philosophical discussion was also washed down with generous helpings of booze as well!
The only criticism I have of the book is that it does give the impression that Scots were falling only short of God in creating the modern world. How far his assumptions are correct can be left to another reviewer.
All in all it is a fun book brining the world of 18th Century culture to life (particularly in Edinburgh and Glasgow) and along the way educating this lowly reader in the theories they created. The author also in a step by step manner shows how these theories found practical application in the wider world.
Im not a bonifide expert but going by this book, 18th century Edinburgh and Glasgow were far from being perfect - but by hec you would never be bored. Once you've read this book you will be upset to leave the company of such fascinating thinkers the author so vividly brings to life.
Buy Paperback From Amazon.co.uk
Buy Hardback From Amazon.co.uk
Return to: Scottish History & Archaeology
Excellent and objective, 6 Feb 2007
By Catherine Luke "Scottish bookworm" (Zurich, Switzerland)
I've just finished reading the book and it is absolutely excellent. Not only discussing the industrial but also the educational, cultural, sociological and religious development of Scotland.
What was confusing, though was the initial mention of King James VI, then after that Mr. Herman continually refers to Kings James I and II. Growing up in Scotland, we always referred to these Monarchs as James VI/I and James VII/II. Also, at one point, Mr. Herman talks of Sir Walter Scott's son in law John Lockhart on page 293, but on page 302, he talks of Sir Walter Scott's son in law, James Lockhart. Which was correct please?
Finally, I have never heard of Scone Castle or the Stone of Scone. The location is and always has been Scone Palace and the lump of rock is the Stone of Destiny.
Other than that, I fully agree with other reviewers who suggest this book should be considered for inclusion in the Scottish schools curriculum. I actually feel, it should be included in the curriculum also for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Buy Paperback From Amazon.co.uk
Buy Hardback From Amazon.co.uk
Return to: Scottish History & Archaeology