Scotland (Modern World Nations)

Finally here is a book about Scotland that keeps kilts, bagpipes and such in proper perspective. In the first paragraph Mr. Dendinger lists images everyone associates with Scotland, then adds that it is also the country that produces half of all laptop computers sold in Europe. He adds details about the international technological activity in Scotland's Silicon Glen that lets the reader know Scotland is a technologically sophisticated country. As he describes the romance and beauty of the Scottish countryside, he also tells about the effects of devolution, supranationalism, the European Union and North Sea oil. Instead of falling back on simplistic conclusions about complex issues, this author provides a balanced discussion of the many viewpoints about these and other topics that affect life in Scotland. He describes Scotland's past and even tackles projections about the future. This excellent book in the "Modern World Nations" series includes these chapters: "Introducing Scotland," "Natural Landscapes," "Scotland Through Time," "People and Culture," "Nation and State," "Economy," "Regional Contrasts," and "Future of Scotland." In addition, the book has maps, facts and history at a glance, further reading, Internet-accessed resources, a bibliography and an index.