"Impressive. The strength of this book lies in the way events such as the Act of Union and the Clearances are revealed to have had global consequences."--Gerard DeGroot, The Times "Engaging, lively and full of insight, a vivid account of Scottish endeavours in politics, science, literature, art and economics. Pittock records the ebb and flow of Scotland's international experience with panache and pace."--Anna Keay, The Guardian "A much needed overview of a fascinating and underwritten subject. Spectacularly panoramic and sweeping while always remaining rigorously scholarly, it ranges effortlessly and with confident authority over 400 years of history, from Quebec to Calcutta, from Ossian to Trainspotting."--William Dalrymple, Spectator 'Books of the Year' "A monumental achievement. This is a tremendous book, a really significant contribution to Scottish history.

It will delight, surprise and irritate in equal measure."--Christopher Whatley, author of The Scots and the Union "A hugely important book which will astonish and delight everyone engaged in the matter of Scotland. What impresses is the range and scope of Pittock's global vision for Scotland, but what engages is the minute human detail of the people in the diaspora that he reveals to us, positive and negative. A magisterial work which Scots will actively return to again and again, as we redefine our role in Europe and the world in the 21st century."--Billy Kay, author of The Scottish World "As a consequence of both its long history as an independent kingdom, its position in the union state that is the UK, and the massive emigration that has characterised its modern history, Scotland has, for a small country, unusually broad and deep global connections. In this wide-ranging and engaging book, Pittock explores the survival of Scotland and the projection of its identity across the globe."--Ewen Cameron, author of Impaled Upon the Thistle "Spectacularly panoramic and sweeping while always remaining rigorously scholarly, Scotland ranges effortlessly over four hundred years of history from Quebec to Calcutta, from Ossian to Trainspotting . As admirably frank about Scottish participation in the slave and opium trade, and the looting of half the globe, as it is about Scotland's contribution to the finance, technology and innovation that drove the steam age.

A major contribution."--William Dalrymple, author of The Anarchy.