audiobook Stone Voices: The Search for Scotland by Neal Ascherson in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Understandable Scottish historyBy PictomaniacI have read; or attempted to read; several books of Scottish history over the past 40 years. "Stone Voices" is the first that really connected the threads of this confusing saga. I first borrowed this book from the local public library; then wanted a copy for my personal library. I was happy to find a "brand new" book at .The author has a remarkable understanding of the age old "personality" of the Scottish people; from Pictish times to the present. He deftly links historical events to Scottish decision-making today. For example; the very different attitude of the ancient Picts about choosing a king: This was a representative system; rather than a "divine right of kings" kingship. He talks about the Declaration of Arbroath; a letter from the Scottish nobles to the Pope in Rome in 1320; during the kingship of Robert the Bruce. Practically unknown in the US; it served as a model for our Declaration of Independence. The ancient political system in Pictland likely formed the basis for governance in the Presbyterian Church and the US Constitution.This is a must buy for Scotophiles.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Scots awa...By John the ReaderAnother eminently readable work by this author; this time returning to his own homeland; Scotland; whose history; Ascherson says is like a "huge; reeking tip of unsorted rubbish across which scavengers wander; pulling off interesting fragments which might fetch a price or come in handy".This is not a formal "history" of Scotland; no chronologic exploring of kings or themes; more an exploration of that mysterious "Scottishness" and the fierce pride and sense of place that finally led to the enactment of a British Home Rule law that created a Scottish Parliament so that "this proud country could rule its own affairs". Ascherson does not venture too deeply into how much this ambition has been achieved or how it could be supported without the overall security and infrastructure of a parent - plus of course; like the creation of all of the new wave of "independent" countries from regional aspirations; just a little more taxes. Politically active always in the pursuit of Scotland's "fredome" Ascherson credits two events for the final concession from Westminster - the Scots youth fascination with Mel Gibson's populist portrayal of William Wallace in "Braveheart" -" a hairy Hollywood distortion" and the death of Princess Diana. The crisis of the monarchy in England after this death led to a surprising resurging of ENGLISH nationalism. This; Ascherson argues; engendered a sympathy for Scotland's (and Welsh) autonomy; causing a turn-over of the long; political denial that finally led to the granting of some measure of the equally long-held need for independence.The voices of the stones the author hears are from rocks; mounts; monuments and walls of the Scottish landscapes; rocks; he says; that are as open to the Scots as the "throat of singing birds". That land is so hard and scarred by man that "Scotland is like 'a poor woman with little flesh between her skin and bones' who carries the scars of many years' use.Och aye; but she's bonny still.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The idea of the book is terrific to meBy Charlotte FairchildI have it by my bed and once in a while I read it. I don't know how long it will take to finish it with all the traveling I am doing. The idea of the book is terrific to me. I was told I was Scot from the time I was old enough to know about my Mother's family. My DNA says the women were 30% Irish; 29% Scandinavian; and 18 Scot/English/Welsh. So I am curious about the part of the 18%. Silly me.