'enormously informative and often thought-provoking ... this book could hardly be improved on: it's lively, lucid, witty, beautifully written.' - The Scotsman 'a fine introduction to today's Scotland and its place in the United Kingdom ... timely and comprehensive.' - Nations and Nationalism 'a well arranged exposition of the various pressures and stresses Scottish society has faced and faces still.' - The Diplomat 'a perceptive and engaging look at the changing contours of modern Scotland and its relationship with and within the United Kingdom ... Pittock brings to this topic a fresh narrative and clarity of argument that successfully tie together the many disparate strands of contemporary Scottish culture, politics, and society in interesting and perceptive ways.' - Journal of British Studies 'a clear and accessible description of the last fifty years of Scottish history ... [Pittock] deserves congratulation for tackling a difficult task and providing much to think about.' - Journal of Contemporary History 'entertaining and vigorously written ... intelligent and self-confident Scottish good sense.' - Journal of Scottish Historical Studies 'Both are tremendously good reads, but Pittock feels much more of our time and of the future.' - Canadian Journal of History 'This author's clear, thoughtful history of modern Scotland deserves to reach a wide audience - In a book packed with interesting detail, Pittock deftly weaves a narrative that is at once an intensely informative introduction to modern Scotland and a careful meditation about the nation's future' - The Historian 'The book is a balanced and perceptive introduction to the whole question of independence, but with much to say also to those already familiar with it.' - Paul Henderson Scott, former president of the Saltire Society, and author of Towards Independence and Scotland Resurgent