How The Scots Invented the Modern World

[Jacques]

How The Scots Invented the Modern World, by Arthur Herman, Publisher Broadway Books.

Disclaimer: This book has virtually nothing to do with kilts. For some one with an interest solely in Kilts, they are mentioned on five occasions.

Who formed the first literate society? Who invented our modern ideas of democracy and free market capitalism? The Scots. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Scotland made crucial contributions to science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce and politics - contributions that have formed and nurtured the modern West ever since.
Considering the aforementioned, this is not a boring book. It clearly demonstrates that some Scots did not leave Scotland only to assimilate in whichever country they immigrated to, and that many were well received where ever they went.
To the Scots i say, yes, the book was written by an American. But Professor Herman (PhD History), uses mostly Scottish reference material and is assisted by mostly Scottish researchers. It's a good book, an easy read and full of information and anecdotes. If this information is not taught at schools within Scotland, it should be.

Happy reading

Jacques