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The Thistle and the Rose: Six Centuries of Love and Hate Between the Scots and the English

The Thistle and the Rose: Six Centuries of Love and Hate Between the Scots and the English

by Allan Massie (Author)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2005

    $3.25

  • Used

    Paperback 2006

    $3.25
Synopsis

The thorny relationship between the thistle and the rose has been central to our history since the first attempt at dynastic union -- the 'Rough Wooing' -- between Margaret Tudor and James IV. Their great-grandson brought the nations together under a single monarch. A hundred years later, in 1707, the Treaty of Union was to link their destinies until the loosening of ties at the end of the twentieth century when the Scots opted for devolution.This compelling narrative is peopled with some of the greatest figures in history, from Bonnie Prince Charlie and Dr Johnson to James Boswell and William Pitt. The nineteenth century saw Glasgow become the second city of the British Empire, and Queen Victoria launch the cult of Scotland -- especially of the Highlands. The two World Wars brought the countries ever closer, only for the long story of devolution to begin. Margaret Thatcher's role in this growing disillusionment is analysed for the first time.In revealing how the two nations have seen and influenced each other, Allan Massie questions whether this historic and powerful union can survive.His inspiring narrative will unsettle received wisdom on this most fascinating, turbulent and romantic relationship.

$3.25

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 326
 Edition: 1st
 Publisher: John Murray
Published: 01 Aug 2005
ISBN 10: 0719559995
ISBN 13: 9780719559990

Media Reviews
'Typically sharp, sane and wise ... Massie explains -- and this is the best part -- how the two nations collaborated in creating each other ... Marvellous' -- Financial Times 20050820 '[Massie has] a depth of knowledge and an affectionate insight that few other writers of his generation could match ... He brings a healthy scepticism to some of the more self-serving of Scottish myths ... Striking' -- Magnus Linklater, New Statesman 20050905 'Well researched and highly readable ... Particularly illuminating ... A colourful examination of two countries inextricably bound together' -- Good Book Guide 20050901 'Wise and stimulating ... One of his book's many merits is its treatment of the nuances and complexities ... Allan Massie belongs to the ancient and distinguished tradition of the Scottish man of letters ... He is always readable, always reasonable, and often quirkily refreshing ... his is as authentic a voice of modern Scotland as the rasping rancour of Salmond or the sonorous platitudes of Sean Connery' -- The Spectator 20050820 'Typically erudite and perceptive' -- The List [Edinburgh Festival magazine] 20050818 'An entertaining account' -- Catholic Herald 20051014 'Interesting and entertaining ... Massie writes well, and this is a book well worth reading' -- Alex Salmond, Scotland On Sunday 20050731 'Compellingly provocative ... you see the virtue of Massie's book: you need to read it ... It is one of the most gloriously, deliberately troublemaking documents of the year' -- The Scotsman 20050806 'In everything Massie writes there is sympathy for the individual ... As ever, he writes with the seductive clarity and commonsense charm which make him such an employable and enjoyable columnist' -- Sunday Herald 20050724 Jeremy Paxman's 'summer reading' choice: 'I shall spend part of my holiday in Scotland reading Allan Massie's new The Thistle and the Rose, to try to understand why the relationship between our two countries is so hilariously testy.' -- Observer 20050710 'Massie the historian is as engrossing as the essayist ... Contentious, yes, but vivid ... Fascinating, but never frivolous, this is both erudite and entertaining. While many books are readable, here's one that will remain re-readable' -- Scots magazine 20051001 'A stimulating investigation' -- Scottish Field 20051001 'A thought-provoking collection' -- David McLetchie, MSP, Herald 20051203 'Allan Massie, practically without peer as a novelist and commentator, has been the most articulate and interesting of unionists by a mile ... Impressive ... Few commentators have Massie's sense of history, and none is so assured when debunking myths ... Excellent ... The book feels timely ... the importance of this book is that it sets out what needs to be considered' -- Irvine Welsh, Mail on Sunday 20050918 '[Massie writes] with the gentle elegance of a novelist who has pondered deeply on human nature in general as well as Scottish conundrums in particular ... Massie, as we'd expect, writes very acutely ... I'd be happy to see our Scottish Executive present The Thistle and the Rose to every fourth-former in the country' -- Angus Calder, Scottish Review of Books 20050703 'An idiosyncratic overview of cross-border relations ... Massie is every inch the ideal writer. Self-deprecating, prolific, well-known as a columnist and political observer ... he writes somewhat mischievously ... a highly personal response ... it's hard to imagine anyone more at home musing on the two-way traffic across Britain's northern borderlands' -- Glasgow Herald 20050716 'This excellent book is good-tempered and reasonable throughout ... highly original ... I enjoyed Massie's book, and learned from it ... [He] gives us a great deal to chew over' -- Literary Review 20050801 'One of Scotland's finest and most consistent writers ... [An] intriguing, elegant piece of work ... As ever, Massie's prose slips down effortlessly while he maintains a constant stream of provocative, ingenious ideas' -- Observer 20050807 'Infuriatingly reasonable. He wittily debunks the myths of Scottishness ... It is difficult to find fault with such a sensible and erudite writer' -- Sunday Telegraph 20050807 'Engaging ! you can always rely on Massie, a historical novelist and biographer, for a readable prose style' -- Jad Adams, BBC History 20051101 'Thoughtful' -- Dominic Sandbrook, Daily Telegraph 20051203 '[An] impressively informed and admirably un-black-and-white account of the two nations over the last 500 years' -- The Observer 20060820 'Allan Massie beguiles us through six centuries of love and hate between the English and the Scots' -- Nicholas Bagnall, Sunday Telegraph 20060820 'Massie's common sense, sadly, just isn't that common! his insights and perspective make this essential reading for anyone concerned with the nature and direction of the union. A second reason to read it is Massie's poised and near perfect prose. You may not agree with what he says, but you have to admire how beautifully he says it' -- Ross Leckie, The Times 20060819
Author Bio
Allan Massie is a celebrated novelist and biographer. He is also a leading columnist for the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times and The Scotsman. After reading history at Trinity College, Cambridge, he spent some years in Rome before returning to live in the Scottish borders. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.