When I first picked up How The Scots Invented The Modern World, I thought it would be a quick, amusing read, but it’s a solid read and the moments of humour are few and far between. Arthur Herman has made an impressive book detailing how the Scots’ laid the groundwork for and influenced the creation of modern society; in order to do that, he also has to give an account of Scottish history from the end of the fifteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth. The book was well-written and presented its argument very well: I had a difficult time working my way through some of the historical events, but it wasn’t for lack of talent on the author’s part. Although it’s best to read with a critical eye, this book is definitely worth a read to people interested in the history of the development of the Western world in general and Scotland in particular.

An excellent and engaging history of Scotland and why so many great thinkers originated from such a remote and poor nation.