Scotland

A History from Earliest Times

By: Alistair Moffat

Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart

Length: 23 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Five hundred million years of Scottish history from the author of Arthur and the Lost Kingdoms: "Deserves a prominent place in the history canon" (Scots Magazine).

Covering the Ice Age to the recent Scottish Referendum, the acclaimed historian and author explores the history of the Scottish nation. Focusing on key moments such as the Battle of Bannockburn and the Jacobite risings, Moffat also features other episodes in history that are perhaps less well documented.

From prehistoric timber halls to inventions and literature, Moffat's epic explores the drama of battle, change, loss, and innovation interspersed with the lives of ordinary Scottish folk, the men and women who defined a nation.

©2015, 2017 Alistair Moffat (P)2021 Tantor

Could have been great!

Overall the book was good until the last chapter and had to bring President Trump into the mixture.

Great story Emotionless reading Bad ending

Great story, monotone reader, but clearly spoken. She does a great job at just saying the words. I always love Moffat’s books, but at the end of this one he brings up American politics and tries to play the anti-Trump card, which really soils the book. History will reflect its truth and I think we need distance of more than what we have, especially in the current political state of the world. A poor reflection that could turn half the population of the USA off of Moffat’s future books.

Very informative

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book and will recommend it to others. Previous reviews have mentioned the afterword because of the content related to recent political events in the US and I personally fail to find fault with the content included. It was very straightforward and factual. In this case, the facts are very much unflattering to the US. Just like the many things the author discusses in the history of Scotland that are less than savory, they still happened and can’t be ignored. This is history and you have to be open to hearing the bad bits as well as the good. We learn history in order to prepare for a better future. While there is much to be entertained by in history, there is much more to be concerned about by not learning about the bad bits. I implore you to disregard the reviews that suggest this book “defaces the US” or “states political views as fact”, it really does no such thing. It is a fine and researched history that packs a lot into a mere 22 hours without inundating you with inconsequential trivia.

Outstanding approach to history!

This exceptional history, book captures history at many levels, not just through the lens of the privileged people or kings, but captures the stories of the peoples, the land and the culture..

Good until…

I enjoyed this book until the postscript. At that point the author felt the need to chime in about American politics. He obviously has no idea what he is talking about regarding our politics. He spewed lies in a typical arrogant British tone. Maybe he should stick to history and leave American politics to Americans.

Very helpful

This book is really wonderful to listen to, It unknots baffling tangles in Scottish history. The narrator is skilled in delivering the music of the language. It does kind of lose color after 1950. Perhaps that is because it is largely known to me. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to tackle the Gordian knot of Scottish history.

Last added chapter sucks.

I enjoyed this entire book until the "woke" last chapter. It made me question the validity of the rest of the book. Was it also biased, I do not know. Sad to do this to such a nice book.

So painful to listen to

I listened to 8 hours of this audio book but had to stop and give up. The book is nothing more than an endless list of names and dates. There is no depth to the story telling. There is no cohesion and very little connections made between the facts presented. Very disappointed.

Interesting but dull narration.

Full of facts but Narration lacked intonation and was somewhat dull and monotone.Gave up after 3 chapters.

Far left political views

I tried to like this book; however boring it was to listen to. Unfortunately I had to turn it off when the author chose to state far left political views as FACT. Terrible opinion based AFTERWARD (defacing the United States of America) to what could have been an informative book. Now I have to wonder if any of the "facts" throughout the book are accurate or opinion.
Absolutely DO NOT recommend this book to anyone seeking learn about Scottish history.