How The Scots Invented The Modern World

I can safely bet that you live in the "modern" world. We use things that yesterday seemed too fantastic to exist outside of science fiction and we are hardly able to absorb new technologies as they increase exponentially like a piece of dough pulled into millions of thin noodles by a Shanghai chef. We can all repeat the handful of names that are credited with the invention of these miracles, as per our history books.

Have you ever wondered why the world turned modern and who were the people responsible? And just when did the modernization start to happen? Depending on your education, you would answer these two questions quite differently than another person from a different locale. Arthur Herman gives us his answers to these questions in his stimulating book, How The Scots Invented The Modern World. Oops, the title gives it away!

Reading this book is like encountering an old friend after many years of separation and discovering that they are absolutely fascinating in ways you never dreamed of when you "knew" them. Mr. Herman holds a PhD in history and his is a thoroughly researched book. His focus is as clear as a mountain stream. The book is very readable and yet is written with a master's skill. It is made even more enjoyable by anecdotal passages. These are perfectly balanced with historical information, insights, opinions and the pure facts. The result is a book that is more than the sum of its parts. You will learn about many people who permanently changed the planet you live on. You will meet others who have been long hidden behind the names of other men. You will encounter pioneers in every conceivable field of study.

Time and again, it was a Scot who did a great deed or it was a Scot who was the teacher, tutor, mentor, or inspiration of the man who did. You will learn who taught the founding ideals for the formation of America. You will see the large debt that Canada, England and Australia owe to the Scottish intellect. You will see a definite pattern emerge from this book. New ideas are conceived, nurtured and delivered. Anything that does not work properly is simply re-invented by the Scots. Their areas of accomplishment include architecture, medicine, philosophy, engineering, all branches of science, education, politics, warfare, literature, commerce, manufacture, religion and many more besides.

The stage is every corner of our planet. All from Western Europe's poorest nation. A people with innate humour and bone deep common sense. It is very clear, that these people possess hungry minds that cannot ever be sated. They have learned to endure their empty stomachs. Their martial spirit, coupled with a brilliant intellect and a non-racist attitude, is the force that is driving the ship of modern civilization. While many of us were looking at the horizon, we forgot to peek into the engine room. Arthur Herman will give you a tour of that engine room and dispel many of the stereotypes and myths of this Promethean branch of humanity.

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