How The Scots Invented The Modern World: The True Story Of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World And Everything In It (2002) - Plot & Excerpts
This book covers about 5 centuries of Scottish history. I was most interested in the description of education in Scotland. I was unaware that Scotland provided universal education for children long before Britain did. I would argue that this is what led to the flourishing of creativity and invention. I would critique the author is this respect as readers could be left with the idea the Scots are superior as a "race" or ethnic group, rather than considering the factors that enabled people of this nation to achieve their potential. At the same time, as critically important as the availability of education, including universities to virtually everyone, there seem to be some cultural values, such as perseverance and a strong work ethic, that came together to allow this flourishing of genius.Herman works hard to dismantle the romantic vision many have of the clans and clan system, and appears to do so objectively. His description of the developing schools of thought during the Scottish Enlightenment, and figures like Adam Smith etc. provide an interesting look at how various and conflicting views of society and humanity evolved. The history of religion in Scotland is central. John Knox, the Scottish Presbytarian church, the conflicts with Catholics supporters of the Jacobite cause, and the Anglican church are described in good detail. There are many many references to Ulster, and Ulster Scots, and the history of the development of these churches in Scotland are essential for understanding the religious landscape of modern Ulster.According to Herman, the United States of America probably wouldn't exist without the Scots, and Ulster Scots ("Scotch Irish"). The Constitution, structure of the federal government, and more, he seems to claim, were primarily the creations of either Scottish immigrants or descendants. At times, he seems to go overboard with this idea. However, when I realized at the time, Europeans living in the 13 colonies were all either British, Scottish, German with a few Irish (mostly Ulster Scots so he would consider them Scots of a sort), it isn't surprising that Scots played a big role. The French were in Canada and Louisiana, the Spanish and Portuguese were further south, and after the Vikings, Scandinavians stayed put for a few centuries, as did the Italians (Romans of old) and Greeks.The book lives up to the subtitle "created out world and everything in it" though towards the end I felt the author might be overreaching to prove his point. I didn't "buy" his analysis of James Bond and argument that the character possesses just those characteristics that are soooo Scottish, and these are what makes JB so spectacular. Luckily this was in the last few pages of the book or I might have thrown up my hands.This is a 'must read' not only for those interested in Scotland and it's history, but readers interested in Ulster as well as early American history.
Consider the title of this book:How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It. (The word "true" is something of a give away.)The reader can't take it seriously, and apparently neither did its author. As Herman admits (page 278), "an important secret in publishing, that information is made more memorable when it is tinged with bias." How the Scots was marinated in bias. For all that, it's an entertaining romp through modern history as seen through tartan-tinted glasses. Fun at times.Early on, Herman tells us how the Scots invented the writing of history. (Herodotus will be shocked.) But what he's really talking about--demonstrating, in fact--is not history but historicism. The difference is that the latter uses the details of history to make a point, grind an ax or sell an agenda. (Think: Karl Marx's Das Kapital.) Herman's point seems to be that, having "invented the modern world," the Scots at least merit home rule.He makes his case well. Since the Enlightenment, which took a distinctive flavor in Scotland as opposed to the continental version, Scots have led or participated in much of the good and evil perpetuated by English-speaking peoples on the rest of the world, even when the language they spoke was hardly recognizable as English. They led in thought, word and deed the development of western culture and spread it . . . pretty much everywhere.It has the usual broad generalizations and assumptions to be expected of such an encyclopedic work, though even as a metaphor for how low Scottish culture has sunk James Bond hardly merits three pages of the final chapter.Still, a good read.
What do You think about How The Scots Invented The Modern World: The True Story Of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World And Everything In It (2002)?
I swithered between giving this book two or three stars. In the end I went with three as there is plenty of good stuff in here. I think it's true that Enlightenment Scotland is one of those locations in time and place that has had a disproportionate influence on the World (other examples might be Ancient Athens, Medieval China, Renaissance Italy, or the fact that 3 of the World's most influential religions all arose from a relatively small area in the Middle East). The author gives due prominence to the work of Enlightenment philosophers who are sadly little known in today's Scotland. He also correctly highlights how in the 18th and 19th centuries Scotland's advanced educational system and highly developed economy gave Scottish emigrants, or at least the Lowland ones, a huge head start over the illiterate peasantry of Southern and Eastern Europe and Ireland who were their competitors in the New World. I was also impressed by the author's unsentimental and unromantic assessment of the condition of the 18th century Scottish Highlands, where the population lived in extreme poverty and were subject to iniquitous justice and the capricious absolute rule of Clan Chiefs. (I say that as someone who lives in the Highlands and strongly identifies with the area). As with many books of this type though, the author overstates his case, promoting Scotland's influence to the exclusion of everyone else. This is clearly nonsense, (and I think the author knows it) and as a Scotsman myself I found the overall effect faintly embarrassing, rather like having a neighbour call round and heap over-extravagant praise on your family. It's all very well setting out a particular argument, but taken beyond a certain point the reader is left bemused more than anything else.
—Ian
Fascinating book about the impact Scotland has had on the world.Most Scottish people are familiar with the poem, Wha's Like Us, which lists many Scottish inventions and innovations. Link here : http://www.aboutaberdeen.com/whaslike...Reading this book made me appreciate even more how much the Scots have impacted the world with the little they had and with the tragedies they experienced. I learned a few interesting facts: - One thing that the Scottish, Irish and English could agree on was their hatred of Oliver Cromwell. - Scotland was the first modern literary society in Europe - Scotland had the world's first lending library (made me love the Scots even more). It wasn't just inventions that the Scottish brought to the world, but ideas too. Some were even radical. For example, in 1777, slavery was already banned in Scotland; an African slave who had escaped from his English master was set free by the Scottish courts who stated "no man is by nature the property of another." I was impressed greatly by the fact that the Scottish did not believe race determined culture, mainly because their own history was viewed as savage and barbaric by others. It's amazing that they realized that nurture, not nature ,was to blame for human behaviour( as opposed to skin colour). I think the olden-day Scots could teach us a thing or two about that. This book also tells the negative parts of Scottish history; the revolutions, uprisings, famines etc. To me, it's still amazing that such a small country affected the world so greatly.A great book to read for all history lovers.
—Rowena
Very engaging history of Scotland and it's people....detailed, but enjoyable. I was amazed at what the Scots endured, but more so with what they accomplished. I was surprised at the people who were Scottish: John Paul Jones, Alexander Hamilton, Sir Walter Scott, Alexander Graham Bell, Andrew Carnegie, Dr. David Livingston, James Watt, Robert Louis Stevenson, Andrew Jackson, James Polk, Jim Bowie, Daniel Boone, Sam Houston, Samuel Morse, just to name a few. I wanted to read this book because I am of Scottish blood, and wanted to learn more about where my ancestors came from. I am very proud to be of Scottish descent! (from the Highland clans of Sutherland and Lindsay) It gave me a desire to be better and accomplish more than I have.
—Carolyn
