Who formed the first modern nation?
Who created the first literate society?
Who invented our modern ideas of democracy and free market capitalism?
The Scots.
Mention of Scotland and the Scots usually conjures up images of kilts, bagpipes, Scotch whisky, and golf. But as historian and author Arthur Herman demonstrates, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Scotland earned the respect of the … earned the respect of the rest of the world for its crucial contributions to science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce, and politics — contributions that have formed and nurtured the modern West ever since.
Arthur Herman has charted a fascinating journey across the centuries of Scottish history. He lucidly summarizes the ideas, discoveries, and achievements that made this small country facing on the North Atlantic an inspiration and driving force in world history. Here is the untold story of how John Knox and the Church of Scotland laid the foundation for our modern idea of democracy; how the Scottish Enlightenment helped to inspire both the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution; and how thousands of Scottish immigrants left their homes to create the American frontier, the Australian outback, and the British Empire in India and Hong Kong.
How the Scots Invented the Modern World reveals how Scottish genius for creating the basic ideas and institutions of modern life stamped the lives of a series of remarkable historical figures, from James Watt and Adam Smith to Andrew Carnegie and Arthur Conan Doyle, and how Scottish heroes continue to inspire our contemporary culture, from William “Braveheart” Wallace to James Bond.
Victorian historian John Anthony Froude once proclaimed, “No people so few in number have scored so deep a mark in the world’s history as the Scots have done.” And no one who has taken this incredible historical trek, from the Highland glens and the factories and slums of Glasgow to the California Gold Rush and the search for the source of the Nile, will ever view Scotland and the Scots — or the modern West — in the same way again. For this is a story not just about Scotland: it is an exciting account of the origins of the modern world and its consequences.
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A well researched book about the power of ideas in an environment that encourages free thought and where those ideas can lead. Illuminating!
It was interesting, but did not sustain the original momentum.
Alexander Graham Bell: Scottish.
Adam Smith: Scottish.
Andrew Carnegie: Scottish.
Robert Burns: Scottish.
Sir Walter Scott: Scottish, obviously.
Also many of the U.S.’s founding fathers – from James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry to Andrew Jackson were of Scottish descent. And so was Samuel Morse.
So 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, might be overreaching things, but perhaps just a bit.
The Scots, Arthur Herman informs the reader, were the first to develop a system of free and compulsory public education. The Scottish Enlightenment produced many of the finest thinkers in 18th century Europe: among them, economists, philosophers, architects, and doctors. And then, when the Scots left Scotland, they took with them ambition and drive and education and shaped the U.S. and Canada, New Zealand and Australia into their mold.
Herman’s arguments are compelling. They are also, at times, a bit dry. Large chunks of How the Scots Invented the Modern World are lofty and, with all due respect, quite boring. The most interesting and most readable sections focus on individuals (such as Smith, Carnegie, Scott, and Bell) and historical events (such as the creation of the United Kingdom and the Highland Clearances) rather than, say, the theological underpinnings of the Scottish Kirk. Unfortunately, there is much, much more of the latter than of anything else – and here I admit, I skimmed heavily, rather than reading closely. I was disappointed that the Highland Clearances were summarized in roughly two pages, a disservice to both the event and the reader, when ideas such as moral philosophy and politeness had received entire chapters.
Ultimately, I would say that if you’re interested in any of the gentlemen whose names began this post, find a biography. If you’re interested in the history of Scotland, I’m sure there are many. This is neither, and in that I was dismayed.
(This review was originally published at http://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2015/02/how-scots-invented-modern-world-true.html)
fascinating read. Well written, easy to read and informative. Highly recommend!
Very interesting take on how our modern civilization developed. Well researched
Having a father who was born in Scotland I found it informative and interesting. It put many facts together for me.
Somewhat more details then I like but still a great read, with some mind twist to why the Scots made the world of today
Boring
Insightful. Gave me a new appreciation for Scotland.
Schololarly
Incredible account of how Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and even India are what they are because of Scotland and the Scots.
It verified everything I told my friends we Scots have done!
poor performance on a fine subject
Amazing to learn how the scots transitioned the world into progress and democracy.
very interesting account of the Scots impact upon the world
An area of personal interest in which I had little detail.
Very accessible with good story telling.
Fascinating topic, interesting information, not a gifted writer–stiff, sometimes awkward prose.