Product Description

The story of the land that became Scotland is one of dramatic geological events and impressive human endeavour. Alistair Moffats gripping narrative ranges from the great thaw at the end of the Ice Age which was instrumental in shaping Scotlands magnificent landscape through the megalith builders, the Celts and the Picts, to the ascension of King Constantine II. Moffat deploys his knowledge with wit and deftness, interweaving the story with numerous special features on topics as diverse as cave drawings of dancing girls, natural birth control, the myth of Atlantis and the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence all of them valuable, sometimes quirky, additions to the whole picture. Rounding out the account is a selection of carefully chosen colour photographs that give a strong sense of the Scottish landscape and monuments. Erudite and entertaining, Before Scotland, newly available in paperback, transforms our understanding of a neglected period. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the land that became Scotland.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #181250 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
`Lively and entertaining ... the text is sprinkled with the sort of facts that should make even the doziest reader sit up and think'
--Scottish Field

Customer Reviews

Buy it! It's a belter!
Moffat has written a superb book on Scottish Prehistory. Ranging from the end of the last ice age to 900AD, it explains and entertains in equal measure. Packed full of interesting information, this book is a masterly exposition of the continuity of culture across the millenia. If you are only going to buy/read one book on Celtic prehistory, make it this one! You won't be disappointed.

wonderful / direach sgoineal
This book accompanies the wonderful T.V series. It gives us an insight to our own prehistory - something that has up to recently been denied us or ridiculed as not been worth serious study - and not the give the information to the plebs! The t.v series was redone in Gaelic as Ro Alba. Personally, I preferred the Gaelic version - even though Moffat himself presented the English language version. Don't know particularly why preferred the Gaelic version - perhaps as it is our ancient past - felt more "connected" to the subject matter when done in Gaelic. It seemed to be more personal in a way. But having said that - both t.v versions were wonderful and the book allows us to go and follow up the information. If you have not had the chance to see the television programs - don't worry - the book will not be inaccessible for you; they complement each other - but can be viewed or read in isolation from each other. I just wish that they would bring out the t.v series on DVD.!

Fantastic
Accessible, fascinating and very, very enjoyable. This is the book that I've been waiting for!
Highly recommended.