Independence or Union: Scotland's Past and Scotland's Present

Deserves to be read by everyone interested in the future of the United Kingdom, and by those involved in the European referendum who would like some clues about winning and losing... this is analytical, synthetic, argumentative history at its best; it slays lazy myths and tells us the "why" of a momentous story every intelligent Briton ought to understand...cracking. (Andrew Marr The Sunday Times)

His aim was to write a history "with a commitment to impartiality, the use of representative evidence and the due respect for conflicting opinions." This he has done brilliantly. The success of the union is well sketched. As is Scotland's role in the British Empire-for good and ill, and the making and maintaining of a Scottish identity. (John McTernan Prospect Magazine)

Brilliant. Easily surpasses any of the glut of books surrounding our constitutional upheaval of the last five years or so. (Kevin McKenna The Observer)

Never less than compelling ...Independence or Union is his best book to date, is required reading and a perfect example of why history matters. (Alan Taylor The Herald)

Surefooted, balanced and reliable in analysis throughout. (Colin Kidd London Review of Books)

This is analytical, synoptic, argumentative history at its best;it slays myths and tells us the 'why' of a momentous story every intelligent Briton should understand... a cracker (Andrew Marr Sunday Times)

The book offers a crisp and well-paced assessment of the Union... a thoroughly reasoned assessment (Donald MacRaild Times Higher Education)

Briskly, clearly and fairly he sketches a complex and detailed history, bringing new life and fresh perspectives to old stories... if he hadn't already been knighted for services to Scottish history, Devine would have been high on the list for preferment after this new work. (John McTernan Prospect Magazine)

Devine brings his usual acute historical critique to the question in hand ... the analysis of the changes that worked their way into Scottish society during the last four decades of the twentieth century is convincing.The most profound point in Devine'a argument is that it was the Conservatives who unwittingly undermined the Union. (Keith M. Brown Times Literary Supplement)

Its accessibility provides a very welcome service in opening up the flowering of history to a wider audience (Irish Times)