'McCaffrey's book is a concise yet detailed introduction to nineteenth-century Scotland and has the rare virtue these days of being both inexpensive and accessible. It is a particularly useful addition to undergraduate reading lists on British history, as it cogently explains what was distinctive about Scotland as one of the constituent components of the United Kingdom.' - Irene Maver, Victorian Studies 'Dr McCaffrey has coped with this formidable task in an exemplary fashion...This is a very clearly written work, in which the linking passages between topics are fluent and virtually seamless, with no jarring dislocations. Where generalisations occur, they are never bland and vague, but pointed and perceptive...His extensive and up-to-date reading in the secondary literature is carefully deployed to excellent effect.' - I.G.C. Hutchison, Scottish Labour History 'The utility of this book for the lay reader and for educationalists is beyond question. It has all the hallmarks of other works in this series which quickly become the most 'dog-eared' in undergraduate short-loan collections.' C.M.M. Macdonald, Innes Review 'The series and this work should become an essential addition for every undergraduate and graduate library...Students and historians alike have needed a shorter, yet detailed exploration of this complex world of deprivation and social division, a critique of the radical and socialist tradition that has retained its distinctive identity within the United Kingdom. Now, we have such a work.' - Paul J. deGategno, Albion 'In fewer than 130 pages of text he succeeds in providing the reader with remarkably clear and comprehensive coverage of the subject.' - John L. Gordon, Jr, Scotia 'This book is more than a valuable starting-point for beginners in modern Scottish history; it has much to say, too, to establish historians of Scotland. Moreover, ...its inclusive but cleverly-balanced overview of an extraordinarily complex era in Scotland never loses sight of the often awkward inter-relationships that existed within the United Kingdom.' - D.J. Withrington, Records of the Scottish Church History Society '...the volume is a welcome attempt to synthesise recent research on nineteenth-century Scotland.' - W.W. Knox, The Scottish Historical Review 'On finishing it, one reaction is to recall how much information has been packed in unobtrusively; a second is to think how many topics - industrial, social, religious and political - have been discussed...Have no fears about this little book; readers will be taking part in an illuminating journey which I hope they will enjoy.' - William W. Scott, Books in Scotland
