A great combination of reliable, documented sources yet still managing to remain readable and fun, this book was a sheer delight. This book must have taken years to research. Packed with fascinating information (some little known, but true) about the history of Scotland--ranging from the Declaration of Arbroath, Robert the Bruce, the Druids and the Picts, to the Celtic saints, the Stone of Destiny, Masonic and guild traditions and Rosslyn Chapel, it delivers well. The sources and notes 'checked out'--and as I live in Edinburgh, I can say that their knowledge of Scottish history is very good. But they got the mix right, as this book still manages to be readable and fun --perhaps a bit rare for a history book! Would have liked to have seen a bit more on the specific battle strategies of Bannockburn, some descriptions of early Highland weaponry and even more on the Templars or the guilds, but overall this was a fantastic read about so many different aspects of Scotland's past. The Bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. I also thought the Rosslyn Chapel chapter was particularily interesting, as it was also featured in the novel, The Da Vinci Code---but here, you get the FACTS about the place!
A real breath of fresh air--This book is a fascinating compendium of chapters on various aspects of Scottish and Celtic history, each of which could easily stand on their own. Looking for a good read you can also "dip into"? Bored? Intrigued by Scotland, but beyond just clans or "tartan and shortbread"? Want the actual historical facts about Scottish places or people? Read this book!
Everything from the usual subjects like the Declaration of Arbroath, Robert the Bruce, or the Stone of Destiny are included, but here, we also have the occasional topic or subject that has (for whatever reasons) often been "left out" or ignored in previous works on Scottish history. So as readers, we are treated to "the whole story", it seems, but when this is done in this work, the sources do check out and often end up coming from more conventional sources!---but were simply not included in previous books on Scotland. Each chapter is its own separate 'world' and the notes for them are extensive, which I found very helpful
One has to wonder why it took so long for some of these interesting facts about Scottish history to finally come to light. This book offers an especially fresh outlook and the authors should be commended for even attempting a work that combines both the usual and the more unusual factual aspects of history. It is accurate, yet stimulating; academic yet readable--a rather rare combination these days.
Yet most refreshing of all, the authors never make any sensational claims, nor do they exploit what might be called the "Braveheart" factor to sell their work. The reader is ultimately left to decide for themselves, but after having read a great variety of sources. This is a solidly researched book from one end to the other. The footnotes are detailed and the Bibliography is extensive; the Index also had helpful cross-references, in my view. The Introduction is even interesting as well, especially about early printing by Scots in the American colonies.
Throughout this book, the sources come from the usual academic and official records, yet there are also selected, reliable sources from lesser known places, private archives, and so on. Yet when they use sources from legends or folklore, they clearly say so--again, a real breath of fresh air.
The chaper on Rosslyn Chapel is particularily fascinating and detailed, as well as the unusual information about Scottish guilds and masonic history. As Rosslyn is featured in the last two chapters of the Da Vinci Code novel, it was really good to get the actual facts about this site, too. Other interesting tidbits occur throughout this book--for example, I didn't know that some of the very oldest rocks in the world --perhaps the oldest -- are in the Hebrides islands of Scotland, i.e., Lewis! Things like that.
Read this book--highly recommended! A fantastic work--and a much-needed one in today's world of 'hype' and 'sensationalism', especially about Celtic subjects.
