THE SURVIVAL OF SCOTLAND’S CULTURE, despite the
destructive forces ranged against it, has been the inspiration
for much of Paul Scott’s writing as cultural historian, literary
critic and political campaigner. The Union of 1707 threatened
the very existence of Scotland as a distinct culture; one of the
reasons why this did not happen is that generations of writers,
thinkers and artists believed that Scotland had something valuable
and distinctive to offer the world and were determined to prove
it. This is Paul Scott’s fourth collection of essays, articles, letters,
speeches and reviews covering the last two decades when the
political and cultural resurgence of Scotland was at its height.The author has himself been an important part of this process. In the words of Tony McManus, he was "one of the most influential voices in the political-cultural debate which began after the referendum ‘defeat’ of 1979". Alex Salmond said that he "provided an intellectual rigour for the national movement at precisely the moment when it was most needed". Comments on the earlier collections include:
"A formidable historical scholarship, allied to a cool rationality evoking the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment is a virtually irresistible brew".
(Ian O’Bayne in CENCRASTUS)
"An outstanding collection, notable for its trenchancy; humour, huge erudition, sharp insights and intriguing asides".
(John Cairns in SCOTTISH HISTORICAL REVIEW)
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