How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It

As I admitted when I gave this book to Mom, the tongue-in-cheek nature of the title had certainly piqued my curiosity enough that I was ready to buy it just from that. But, when I started to look into this book more, I found it to be no laughing matter. That it is 100% legitimate and extremely informative. Mom said it's a perfect reference guide because it cites so many sources in the back that it makes it easy for anybody wanting to know even more about anything to know where to look next. She just said it was hard to read straight through at times because, as I said, the book isn't a laughing matter and is packed with historical information; some of which may not be specifically of interest to you but would very much be of interest to others. It provides a great foundation ... and then also helps develop a roadmap for how to progress within the book itself ... and then where to jump off to other sources for more details. This thorough overview book helped explain a lot and make the various Clan-based history digests we also found make even more sense.

You don't have to be a Scot to like this book, but it sure helps. If you are Scottish, you're best to recall the adversity and hardship of the ancient Scots or else we be no better off for the knowledge of it. This book opens the door to reach deep into your DNA and give cause to your purpose in life - to become free and enlightened. Even if you want to disagree with the seemingly presumptuous title, you cannot, without greater presumption, deny much of the ardent and well made case of Herman's book. The Audible version is great - wonderfully narrated by Robert Ian Mackenzie. He gives it the perfect Scottish flare with dignity.

This is a very well-organized book on the intellectual influence Scottish culture has had on the western world, most notably the United States and the United Kingdom. Despite the misleading title, this is not one of those "ethnic pride" books. Instead, Herman focuses on the specific intellectual achievements of specific, Scots and identifies that they were successful not because of some miraculous Scottish gene but because they were brilliant thinkers who were committed to scientific inquiry, productivity and sound morality.In this book, you will learn about the Scottish Enlightenment. In particular, you will learn about how Scotland, prior to its enlightenment, was dominated by the Presbyterian Church (called the "Kirk"). At this time, the Kirk routinely executed blasphemers and promoted the world-view that man is an inherently sinful creature who can never truly redeem himself. Fortunately, a great thinker named Francis Hutcheson promoted the idea that men are generally moral creatures and shifted the focus of philosophical inquiry towards matters of concern to individuals living on earth (e.g., how men can be moral, how men can coexist in a society, etc.) as opposed to focusing on God, Church or Monarchy. Thus with Hutcheson, argues Herman, was the beginning of the Scottish Enlightenment.In this book, you will also learn about many other great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment. This includes Lord Kames, who wrote extensively on the importance of property and trade to allow societies to flourish. This also includes the pioneering economist Adam Smith, whose 'Wealth of Nations' became the first great work of capitalism.The chapter on the great scientists and inventors of the Scottish Enlightenment is amazing. In this chapter you will learn about James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine. Watt is a man who is so confident in his brilliance and productivity that he agreed to build an organ for a church before he knew anything about organs or music. However, Watt displayed that his confidence was indeed rational, as he learned everything he needed to know to successfully build the organ by the original deadline.You will also learn about the "colossus of roads" Thomas Telford, whose prodigious accomplishments in the construction of roads, bridges, canals and dams gave England an interconnected transportation network, making it ripe for the British Industrial Revolution. You will also learn about John MacAdam, whose "macadamisation" process allowed for smooth, stable roads to be efficiently built and to replace the network of soil-based roads in England.Herman does a great job in painting a great historical context. This is particularly good for readers who may not be too keen on their British history. In this book, you will learn about the political/religious monarchical disputes between the House of Hanover and the House of Stuart and the Scottish infatuation with exiled British throne claimant Bonnie Prince Charlie. You will also learn about the Act of Union, which originally created the United Kingdom, and how Scotland was motivated to support it during a crushing economic depression. Finally, you will learn good context of the 13th/14th century Wars of Scottish Independence, including brief overviews of the celebrated Scottish warriors such as William Wallace (Braveheart) and Robert the Bruce as well as the Scottish bitterness over the English capture of the Stone of Scone.This book has a few shortcomings. The major flaw is overkill. Much of the most exciting information is diluted by being tossed into an ocean of less interesting stories. Moreover, Herman advances a few claims, which are not that convincing. For example, Herman argues that David Hume had an enormous influence on American revolutionary thinkers such as James Madison, when it seems more appropriate to credit British empiricist John Locke. Nevertheless, none of these questionable assertions are major linchpins of Herman's book.Overall, a very good read!

great history book

Interesting stories about inventions from Scotland!

It is hard to lay the book down to do necessary tasks. The narrative supports the premise that the Scotsinvented the modern world. This concept is substantiated through descriptions of public education, the governance of towns and districts through establishment of democratic principles, and the value placed on the dignity and responsibility shouldered by the individual. The book demonstrates how these cultural themes developed in Scotland several hundred years before the founding of the United States of America, and the influence that these ideals have had on the foundation of our nation.

Cheguei nesse livro devido a uma pesquisa que fiz para escrever um artigo sobre a Escócia. Excelente surpresa. Eu não conhecia a história do Iluminismo Escocês ou, pelo menos, nunca tinha ligado os pontos. O livro conta a história da Escócia na era moderna e nos mostra como um país empobrecido perde sua soberania mas, ao mesmo tempo, dá a volta por cima e influencia todo o mundo moderno na forma que ele é hoje.Altamente recomendado.

One of the most elegant, impressive and truely transformational books I have ever read. Thank you Arthur for this amazing piece of literature.

When I first read the title I was a bit sceptical. Then I started to read and the story which unfolded was amazing. Scotland must have been a beleaguered country after Culloden, and the fact that they emerged into such a powerhouse of knowledge and science and learning was inspirational.

This book went into a lot of minute detail particularly about early days of government and Parliament. My biggest problem was the small type in which the book was printed, and I gave up after about 50 pages. Given that a large part of the buying public for history books would probably be in their senior years and that we don't have 20/20 vision anymore, this fact simply added to the disappointment. Perhaps when books are described it should include the type size in which the book is published. It would certainly save some people a lot of money in the long term. Oh well, another book for the charity bookstall.

It is based in the great caracters of the Scotish history since s. XVII, and is amusing, interesting, and well written