Scotlands of the Mind

by Calder, Angus

• ISBN13: 9781842820087
• ISBN10: 1842820087
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-05-31
• Publisher: Luath Press Ltd

Summary

Does Scotland as a "nation" have any real existence? In Britain, in Europe, in the World? Or are there a multitude of mulitform "Scotlands of the Mind"? These soul-searching questions are probed in this timely book by prize-winning author and journalist, Angus Calder. It ia a journey through many possible Scotlands - fictionalised, idealised, and politicised. This perceptive and often highly personal writing shows the sope of Calder's analytical power. Fact or fiction, individual or international, politics or poetry, statistics or statehood, no subject is taboo in a volume that offers an overview of the vicissitudes and changing nature of Scottishness.

Author Biography

Angus Calder, author of the widely read The People's War: Britain 1939-1945 is a freelance writer based in Edinburgh. An essayist and poet, his other works include The Myth of the Blitz, Colours of Grief and, with Luath Press, Scotlands of the Mind. Poet and activist Beth Junor has been writing poetry, essays and pamphlets since she was 19. During the Cold War she was jailed seven times for non-violent protests against the military. She is a health professional and her work in paediatric language and communication disorder is widely respected.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	v
Introduction	ix
PART I Living Somewhere
Three Days of Scotland, 1999	1	(12)
Like a Stranger in a Strange Land	13	(8)
By the Water of Leith I Sat Down and Wept	21	(20)
On First Looking into In Memoriam James Joyce	41	(7)
Allan MacCartney	48	(3)
Norman MacCaig	51	(3)
lain Crichton Smith	54	(7)
John Prebble	61	(8)
PART 2 When Was Scotland?
Stone of Destiny	69	(2)
Pict `n' Mixt Identity	71	(4)
Once and Future Knox	75	(16)
Describing Scottish Culture	91	(18)
Scotland Since 1707	109	(7)
Livingstone, Self-Help and Scotland	116	(18)
The Disruption in Fiction	134	(29)
When Was Scotland?	163	(6)
Imperialism and Scottish Culture	169	(15)
Poetry, Language and Empire	184	(15)
Index	199