A road trip book with a difference. Stars of Outlander - Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish - explore Scotland, a land of raw beauty, poetry, feuding, music, history and warfare.Narrated by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, with a foreword written and read by Diana Gabaldon.From their faithful camper-van to boats, kayaks, bicycles and motorbikes, join stars of Outlander Sam and Graham on a road trip with a difference.Unlikely friends Sam and Graham begin their journey in the heart of Scotland at Glencoe and travel from there all the way to Inverness and Culloden battlefield, where along the way they experience adventure and a cast of highland characters. In this story of friendship, finding themselves and whisky, they discover the complexity, rich history and culture of their native country.PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

A soldier’s true story of danger and adventure as a modern-day legionnaire in Kuwait, Bosnia, and beyond.   With no French language ability, Alex Lochrie approached recruiters for the French Foreign Legion in Paris and embarked on the demanding selection process that followed. When he was accepted, he and other prospective legionnaires were sent to Southern France to begin the harsh recruit training course. The mix of nationalities and backgrounds among his fellows was enormous. New members are traditionally allowed to change their identities—and Lochrie chose to alter his age, becoming twenty-eight instead of thirty-eight.   Elite paratrooper training followed in Corsica before Lochrie earned his wings. The FFL is never far from the front line, and in this book he tells of challenging active service in former French colonies in Africa as well as during the first Gulf War, evicting Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, and operations in Bosnia and Sarajevo.   This gripping account lifts the veil of mystery and myth, pulling you into the action—and revealing much about the realities of service in the Foreign Legion.   Read more

Before the Greeks and Romans, the Celts ruled the ancient world. They sacked Rome, invaded Greece, and conquered much of Europe, from Ireland to Turkey. Celts registered deeply on the classical imagination for a thousand years and were variously described by writers like Caesar and Livy as unruly barbarians, fearless warriors, and gracious hosts. But then, in the early Middle Ages, they vanished. In The Celts, Ian Stewart tells the story of their rediscovery during the Renaissance and their transformation over the next few centuries into one of the most popular European ancestral peoples.The Celts shows how the idea of this ancient people was recovered by scholars, honed by intellectuals, politicians, and other thinkers of various stripes, and adopted by cultural revivalists and activists as they tried to build European nations and nationalisms during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Long-forgotten, the Celts improbably came to be seen as the ancestors of most western Europeans—and as a pillar of modern national identity in Britain, Ireland, and France.Based on new research conducted across Europe and in the United States, The Celts reveals when and how we came to call much of Europe "Celtic," why this idea mattered in the past, and why it still matters today, as the tide of nationalism is once again on the rise. Read more

An exciting account of the origins of the modern worldWho formed the first literate society? Who invented our modern ideas of democracy and free market capitalism? The Scots. As historian and author Arthur Herman reveals, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Scotland made crucial contributions to science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce, and politics—contributions that have formed and nurtured the modern West ever since.Herman has charted a fascinating journey across the centuries of Scottish history. Here is the untold story of how John Knox and the Church of Scotland laid the foundation for our modern idea of democracy; how the Scottish Enlightenment helped to inspire both the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution; and how thousands of Scottish immigrants left their homes to create the American frontier, the Australian outback, and the British Empire in India and Hong Kong. How the Scots Invented the Modern World reveals how Scottish genius for creating the basic ideas and institutions of modern life stamped the lives of a series of remarkable historical figures, from James Watt and Adam Smith to Andrew Carnegie and Arthur Conan Doyle, and how Scottish heroes continue to inspire our contemporary culture, from William “Braveheart” Wallace to James Bond. And no one who takes this incredible historical trek will ever view the Scots—or the modern West—in the same way again. Read more

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**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**A Scotsman’s guide to the extraordinary tapestry of the land, history, folklore and stories of his homeland. From the majestic beauty of the wild Scottish landscape to the hidden traces of its history waiting to be uncovered in every town and village, Andrew McAlindon is enthralled by the country he is lucky enough to call home. As one of Scotland’s busiest tour guides in real life and online, Andy travels around the country to ancient sites such as castles, cemeteries, burial chambers and prisons, celebrating the history, folklore, superstitions and the fascinating people that make Scotland so unique.Lochs and Legends is Andy’s love letter to Scotland, a love that began when he landed a part on the worldwide phenomenon Outlander, and led to him dedicating his life to learning more about the true star of the show – Scotland. A social media sensation as Andy the Highlander, his first book opens up Scotland’s secrets to anyone, even if they can only explore it from the comfort of their armchair. It invites you to time travel with Andy, walking in the footsteps of kings and queens, lairds and ladies, murderers, farmers, poets, invading armies, and everyday folks like himself. It is Scotland as you’ve never seen it before. Read more

The definitive history of Scotland, "told as a tale from its beginnings up to now" (The Observer). Hailed as a “vast, superb history [that] relates Scotland’s past over a dozen millennia” (Kirkus Reviews), Magnusson draws on a great deal of modern scholarship to redefine a nation’s history. He charts the long struggle toward nationhood, explores the roots of the original Scots, and examines the extent to which Scotland was shaped by the Romans, the Picts, the Vikings, and the English. Encompassing everything from the first Mesolithic settlers in 7000 B.C. to the present movements for independence, Scotland: The Story of a Nation is history on an epic level, essential reading for anyone interested in the rich past of this captivating land. Read more

"Terrifying, fascinating, and important." ―Sara Sheridan, author of Where Are the Women? and The Fair BotanistsNothing brings people together like a common enemy, and witches were the greatest enemy of all.Scotland, 1563: Crops failed. People starved. And the Devil's influence was stronger than ever―at least, that's what everyone believed. If you were a woman living in Scotland during this turbulent time, there was a very good chance that you, or someone you knew, would be tried as a witch.During the chaos of the Reformation, violence against women was codified for the first time in the Witchcraft Act―a tool of theocratic control with one chilling goal: to root out witches and rid the land of evil. What followed was a dark and misogynistic chapter in history that fanned the flames of witch hunts across the globe, including in the United States and beyond.In How to Kill a Witch, Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell, hosts of the popular Witches of Scotland podcast, unravel the grim yet absurdly bureaucratic process of identifying, accusing, trying, and executing women as witches. With sharp wit and keen feminist insight, they reveal the inner workings of a patriarchal system designed to weaponize fear and oppress women.This captivating (and often infuriating) account, which weaves a rich tapestry of trial transcripts, witness accounts, and the documents that set the legal grounds for the witch hunts, exposes how this violent period of history mirrors today's struggles for justice and equality. How to Kill a Witch is a powerful, darkly humorous reminder of the dangers of superstition, bias, and ignorance, and a warning to never forget the past… while raising the question of whether it could ever happen again. Read more

Like the soul-stirring call of bagpipes echoing over a misty moor, Our Hearts Are in Scotland bids one to explore the heritage and culture of this hauntingly romantic destination.Our Hearts Are in Scotland takes readers on a memorable journey through this majestic country and is replete with page after page of beautiful interiors and exteriors that offer an impassioned salute to our most cherished destinations in Scotland.Filled with lush photography and enchanting prose, this exquisitely bound and beautifully produced hardcover book is one to savor as we voyage together in search of Scotland’s very essence. Brew a cup of your favorite blend and settle in a cozy corner to explore – and to celebrate – this treasured isle that we love so well. From the editors of Victoria magazine. Read more

A new history of the Celts that reveals how this once-forgotten people became a pillar of modern national identity in Britain, Ireland, and FranceBefore the Greeks and Romans, the Celts ruled the ancient world. They sacked Rome, invaded Greece, and conquered much of Europe, from Ireland to Turkey. Celts registered deeply on the classical imagination for a thousand years and were variously described by writers like Caesar and Livy as unruly barbarians, fearless warriors, and gracious hosts. But then, in the early Middle Ages, they vanished. In The Celts, Ian Stewart tells the story of their rediscovery during the Renaissance and their transformation over the next few centuries into one of the most popular European ancestral peoples.The Celts shows how the idea of this ancient people was recovered by scholars, honed by intellectuals, politicians, and other thinkers of various stripes, and adopted by cultural revivalists and activists as they tried to build European nations and nationalisms during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Long-forgotten, the Celts improbably came to be seen as the ancestors of most western Europeans—and as a pillar of modern national identity in Britain, Ireland, and France.Based on new research conducted across Europe and in the United States, The Celts reveals when and how we came to call much of Europe “Celtic,” why this idea mattered in the past, and why it still matters today, as the tide of nationalism is once again on the rise. Read more

An expert historian on Mary, Queen of Scots draws on hundreds of her encrypted letters to paint a vivid portrait of one of history’s most compelling figures.For almost two decades before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was a prisoner. From her chambers, she wrote countless letters, many encrypted using complex ciphers to prevent her communications from being intercepted. In this way, she used language to exert her will and her influence, even while incarcerated. More than four hundred years after Mary’s death, the discovery of further encoded letters has led to renewed interest in the breadth of her correspondence while in captivity. In Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots, Jade Scott draws on hundreds of these ground-breaking letters to create a vivid picture of one of history’s most fascinating personalities. She interprets Mary’s complex relationships with friends and enemies alike throughout the years of her imprisonment, illuminating Mary's strategic vision while bringing her captivity to life like never before. Read more

The dramatic story of Scotland - by charismatic television historian, Neil Oliver.Scotland is one of the oldest countries in the world with a vivid and diverse past. Yet the stories and figures that dominate Scottish history - tales of failure, submission, thwarted ambition and tragedy - often badly serve this great nation, overshadowing the rich tapestry of her intricate past.Historian Neil Oliver presents a compelling new portrait of Scottish history, peppered with action, high drama and centuries of turbulence that have helped to shape modern Scotland. Along the way, he takes in iconic landmarks and historic architecture; debunks myths surrounding Scotland's famous sons; recalls forgotten battles; charts the growth of patriotism; and explores recent political developments, capturing Scotland's sense of identity and celebrating her place in the wider world. Read more

An exciting account of the origins of the modern worldWho formed the first literate society? Who invented our modern ideas of democracy and free market capitalism? The Scots. As historian and author Arthur Herman reveals, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Scotland made crucial contributions to science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce, and politics—contributions that have formed and nurtured the modern West ever since.Herman has charted a fascinating journey across the centuries of Scottish history. Here is the untold story of how John Knox and the Church of Scotland laid the foundation for our modern idea of democracy; how the Scottish Enlightenment helped to inspire both the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution; and how thousands of Scottish immigrants left their homes to create the American frontier, the Australian outback, and the British Empire in India and Hong Kong. How the Scots Invented the Modern World reveals how Scottish genius for creating the basic ideas and institutions of modern life stamped the lives of a series of remarkable historical figures, from James Watt and Adam Smith to Andrew Carnegie and Arthur Conan Doyle, and how Scottish heroes continue to inspire our contemporary culture, from William “Braveheart” Wallace to James Bond. And no one who takes this incredible historical trek will ever view the Scots—or the modern West—in the same way again. Read more

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“A book that will leave few readers unmoved.”–San Francisco ChronicleShe was the quintessential queen: statuesque, regal, dazzlingly beautiful. Her royal birth gave her claim to the thrones of two nations; her marriage to the young French dauphin promised to place a third glorious crown on her noble head. Instead, Mary Stuart became the victim of her own impulsive heart, scandalizing her world with a foolish passion that would lead to abduction, rape and even murder. Betrayed by those she most trusted, she would be lured into a deadly game of power, only to lose to her envious and unforgiving cousin, Elizabeth I. Here is her story, a queen who lost a throne for love, a monarch pampered and adored even as she was led to her beheading, the unforgettable woman who became a legend for all time. Praise for Mary Queen of Scots“She was sometimes reviled as a scheming whore, sometimes revered as a misunderstood martyr. But she was invariably regarded as fascinating. Antonia Fraser’s richly readable biography demonstrates that Mary’s great fascination continues unabated.”—Time“Compassionate, illuminating, rich in human interest.”—The New York Times ”One of the most fascinating figures in history.” —The Columbus Dispatch “With grace, sensitivity, and a sharp eye for detail, lady Antonia Fraser has succeeded not only in recapturing the real Mary from the symbol but also in illuminating the chaotic age in which she lived.”—Newsweek Read more

“A brisk and accessible guide to a thousand years of reiving and rivalry in the Highlands.” ―The Scotsman The story of the Highland clans of Scotland is famous, the names celebrated, and the deeds heroic. Having clung to ancient traditions of family, loyalty, and valor for centuries, the clans met the beginning of their end at the fateful Battle of Culloden in 1746. Alistair Moffat traces the history of the clans from their Celtic origins to the coming of the Romans; from Somerled the Viking to Robert the Bruce; from the great battles of Bannockburn and Flodden to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Risings; and from the Clearances to the present day. Moffat is an adept guide to the world of the clans, a world dominated by lineage, land, and community. These are stories of great leaders and famous battles, and of an extraordinary people, shaped by the unique traditions and landscape of the Scottish Highlands. It’s a story too about the pain of leaving, with the great emigrations to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand that began after Culloden. Complete with a clan map and an alphabetical list of the clans of the Scottish Highlands, this is a must for anyone interested in the history of Scotland. 86 illustrations, 35 in color Read more

Discover the pivotal political, military, and cultural events that shaped British and Irish history, from Stone Age Britain to the present day, in this revised and updated ebook.Combining over 700 photographs, maps, and artworks with accessible text, the History of Britain and Ireland is an invaluable resource for families, students, and anyone seeking to learn more about the fascinating story of the England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Spanning six distinct periods of British and Irish history, this ebook is the best way to find out how Britain transformed with the Norman rule, fought two world wars in the 20th century, and faced new economic challenges in the 21st century.DK's visual guide places key figures - from Alfred the Great to Winston Churchill - and major events - from Roman invasion to the Battle of Britain - in their wider context, making it easier than ever before to learn how they influenced Britain and Ireland's development through the age of empire into the modern era. Read more

A “beautifully written” history of the Scottish Borders—from the Ice Age to present day—by the author of Scotland: A History from Earliest Times (Boston Sunday Herald).   This is the story of the border: a place of beginnings and endings, of differences and similarities. It is the story of England and Scotland, told not from the remoteness of London or Edinburgh or in the tired terms of national histories, but up close and personal, toe to toe and eyeball to eyeball across the tweed, the Cheviots, the Esk, and the tidal races of the upper Solway. This is a tale told in blood, fun, and granite-hard memory. This is the story of an ancient place where hunter-gatherers penetrated into the virgin interior, where Celtic warlords ruled and the Romans came but could not conquer, where the glittering kingdom of Northumbria thrived, where David MacMalcolm raised great abbeys, and where Walter Scott sat at Abbotsford and brooded on the area’s rich and historic legacy.   “Highly readable—a lively, clear style.” —Northern History   “Quirky, learned and utterly absorbing.” —Allan Massie, award-winning author of The Royal Stuarts Read more

Dominating the city from its volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. This natural stronghold has been occupied for thousands of years, shifting its shape as it was adapted for new uses and against new threats.The castle has long been a royal residence and a focus for national pride – a place of strength where kings and queens could enjoy relative safety in turbulent times, and national treasures could be securely stored.It has been at the heart of Scotland’s major events, fought over, held and recaptured time after time. In fact, it is the most besieged place in Great Britain, and remained in military use well into the past century.Over the years Edinburgh Castle has attracted countless visitors with an interest in Scotland’s dramatic history. This book invites visitors to explore the castle and learn about its extraordinary history and discover some of its fascinating secrets. Read more

The vast history of Britain is now at your fingertips!Britain has a long history, from the days of Roman settlements, such as Londinium (modern-day London), to the days of Britain ruling the waves to the subsequent decline of the empire and the rise of the commonwealth. It is hard to cover the entire history of Britain in just one book. However, this text seeks to break its history down into easily digestible sections.This book starts us off at the point at which Britain entered into the historical record. Follow along as we unveil the invasion of Julius Caesar and the conquests of later Romans. These were the first people to write down their thoughts and feelings about Britain’s inhabitants.The Roman Empire itself would eventually crash, but Hadrian’s Wall, as well as a multitude of Roman settlements, would remain. These were inherited by the Anglo-Saxons, who arrived from the German-speaking lands just across the English Chanel. The Anglo-Saxons created a rich history and culture but would be supplanted by the Normans in 1066.The Tudor dynasty emerged in 1485, fundamentally changing life in Britain. The most notorious Tudor of all, King Henry VIII, broke free from Roman Catholicism and instituted the Church of England with himself at its head.After the Reformation, Britain would go on to rule the waves and establish a vast overseas empire that would only come to an end after World War Two. Britain continues to take on a dominant role in world affairs today.Here is just a peek at what you will learn:The rise of Anglo-Saxon rule and the establishment of EnglandWilliam the Conqueror and how he changed the course of British historyHenry VIII and the Protestant ReformationThe many conflicts between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern IrelandThe legacy of Wales and Welsh cultureScotland’s role in British affairsBritain’s involvement in World War One and World War TwoFamous myths and legends of the British IslesAnd much, much more!Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to begin learning about the fascinating history of Britain! Read more