Scottish History in Verse

Aug 13, 2025 2:40 PM

Author:Louis Stott

Scottish history is unarguably rich and a number of notable anniversaries are looming, not least the quincentenary of Flodden in 2013 and the 700-year-anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014. There’s no better time, then, for Scottish History in Verse.

This unique anthology consists of some 230 poems and songs that mark various Scottish occasions and celebrate famous Scots. Topics range from the Carron Ironworks to the launch of the Hillman Imp, from Hardicanute to Georgie Porgie, from Somerled to John Maclean, and from James Watt to Ronald Ross. Places stretch from Clydebank to the Zambezi. Burns and Scott are there of course, but so are Shakespeare and Southey, not to mention W.N. Herbert and Robert Crawford.

Reviews

Her narrative vibrates with symbolism and portent. Every event, every encounter, every object shimmers with talismanic power

—— Michiko Kakutani , New York Times

As a book about the partiality of family history and the peculiar spells of memory, The Book of Colour could hardly be bettered

—— Observer

A brilliant fantasy of bizarre and magical imagination

—— Mary Wesley , Daily Mail

The relationships form haphazardly, in working hours: at Maura's pub, mostly, or on the paper round. Only the reader is priveliged to see the jigsaw fit together, deepening their mutual understanding. And the prose matches this, choosing similes that are both powerful and apt, making the whole narrative colourful and poetic. It is a delightful and illuminating book.

—— John Whitley , Sunday Times

A wonderfully imaginative and well-written tale of intrigue, high court politics and desperate love

—— Deseret News

Laura Andersen creates a fresh and vividly realized alternative world

—— Susan Elia MacNeal, author of , Mr. Churchill’s Secretary

Full of intrigue, conspiracies, and the accurate details so essential to good historical fiction . . . Anyone who has even the slightest fascination with the Tudors will want to devour this delectable novel in a single sitting

—— Tasha Alexander , New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Floating City

The Boleyn King deftly blends compelling characters, flawless social history, and courtly romance into an enthralling tale that’s impossible to put down

—— Stefanie Pintoff, , Edgar Award–winning author of Secret of the White Rose

... highly entertains with its fine pacing, plot, and detail. Perfect for Philippa Gregory fans

—— Julie Trevelyan

A sumptuous, vividly imagined novel of a Boleyn king’s fateful rise to power amid the treacherous glamour of the Tudor court. A fantastic debut!

—— C. W. Gortner, author of , The Queen’s Vow

A fascinating journey into what might have been, this novel of alternate history will keep you turning the pages and leave you hoping for a sequel

—— Kate Emerson, author of , A Royal Inheritance

Fans of both Stephenie Meyer and Philippa Gregory will find much to love in this evocative and well-written debut

—— Francine Mathews, author of , Jack 1939

Immensely addictive and twisty—kudos to Laura Andersen for her crafty plotting and rich characterizations. Deliciously scandalous and seductive, The Boleyn King delivers history and romance with equal passion

—— Becca Fitzpatrick , New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush

From the intrigue of the Tudor court to the battlefields of France, you will be entranced by the power, emotion, and sweeping romance of this spellbinding novel. I loved it and can’t wait for the next book in the series!

—— Syrie James, bestselling author of , The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

... a riveting page-turner ... For historical fiction fans and Tudor aficionados, The Boleyn King is a must-read

—— Sherry Jones, author of , Four Sisters, All Queens

Previous Article：Canti Next Article：Ancient Appetites

Comments

Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.