Scotland and the Union

A comprehensive examination of the past, present and future prospects of the Anglo-Scottish Union, this book is written by the cream of the academic talent in modern Scottish history and Scottish politics. It appeals to a wide readership while conforming to the highest standards of scholarship and no other volume considers the entire 300-year experience of Union - from its origins in the early 18th century to the historic parliamentary victory of the SNP in May 2007. All the key themes and questions are covered here: " why the Union took place " its growing acceptance in the eighteenth century " the central role of the Scots in the British Empire and the impact on Scotland " the politics of unionism " the challenge of nationalism " Thatcherism and the Union " Devolution and prospects for the future. Contributions come from Christopher A. Whatley, Allan I. Macinnes, Karen Bowie, Alexander J. Murdoch, Ewen A. Cameron, William L. Miller, Richard Findlay, Brian Ashcroft, Charlie Jeffrey, John Curtice and Neal Ascherson. This is the essential text for understanding one of the most burning issues in British public life today.

'Scotland and the Union combines timeliness with bite. It should be read with the closest attention in both countries as the Westminster and Edinburgh parliaments increasingly talk past each other.' Professor Peter Hennessy, Queen Mary, University of London -- Peter Hennessy 'This book provides an essential road map to a matter of vital public concern. Devine's outstanding team of historians and political scientists offer authoritative coverage of the Union from its origins to the present - with suggestions of its possible futures.' Professor Colin Kidd, University of Glasgow -- Colin Kidd Devine is to be congratulated for bringing together some excellent contributors, and for his own essays which give coherence to the collection, often lacking in these ventures. -- Patrick Geoghegan Scottish Review of Books Whether or not the Union has a future, this book shows that scottish historical writing has a certain and great one. -- Owen Dudley Edwards The Sunday Herald This stimulating volume deals with the past, present and future of the parliamentary union of 1707... It demonstrates that the issue of the incorporating union of 1707 is still a hotly debated subject among historians as to its negiotiation, its merits and its possible collapse. -- W. W. Knox, University of St Andrews Contemporary British History 'Scotland and the Union combines timeliness with bite. It should be read with the closest attention in both countries as the Westminster and Edinburgh parliaments increasingly talk past each other.' Professor Peter Hennessy, Queen Mary, University of London 'This book provides an essential road map to a matter of vital public concern. Devine's outstanding team of historians and political scientists offer authoritative coverage of the Union from its origins to the present - with suggestions of its possible futures.' Professor Colin Kidd, University of Glasgow Devine is to be congratulated for bringing together some excellent contributors, and for his own essays which give coherence to the collection, often lacking in these ventures. Whether or not the Union has a future, this book shows that scottish historical writing has a certain and great one. This stimulating volume deals with the past, present and future of the parliamentary union of 1707... It demonstrates that the issue of the incorporating union of 1707 is still a hotly debated subject among historians as to its negiotiation, its merits and its possible collapse.

T. M. Devine is the Sir William Fraser Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography at the University of Edinburgh having previously held Chairs at the universities of Aberdeen and Strathclyde. He is the author and editor of many books on Scottish history and related subjects. He has been awarded three honorary doctorates in recognition of his scholarship and is a Fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy. In 2005 he was appointed OBE for services to Scottish history. T M Devine is the only historian to have been awarded the Royal Gold Medal, Scotland's supreme academic accolade, by the Queen.