British History, 1660-1832: National Identity and Local Culture(British Studies Series)

This is an interpretative study of the idea of Britain, examining the transformation of a sectarian concept into an imperial ideology forged during a period of sustained warfare in Europe and ever-expanding areas beyond Europe during the second half of the Eighteenth century. It seeks to examine constitutional history from a non-Anglocentric perspective and to relocate it to historiographical developments in Social History and the History of Ideas. Based on more than 25 years of research, it seeks to examine critically a concept which increasingly has come under public debate during the past decade.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Region and Locality The Stuart Monarchy and the Idea of Britain James Loses the Kingdoms: The Revolutions of 1688 in their British Context The Union of England and Scotland and the Development of the Hanoverian State The Idea of Britain and the Creation of the First British Empire Peripheral Nations? Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Provincial England Cultural Politics: National Culture in a Metropolitan State The American Revolution and the Origins of the Second British Empire War and Nation 1793-1815: British Identity and the New Empire Empire and its Discontents: English Nationalism and the Imperial State Notes Bibliography Index.

About the Author :
ALEXANDER MURDOCH is Senior Lecturer in Scottish History at the University of Edinburgh, UK. ALEXANDER MURDOCH is Senior Lecturer in Scottish History at the University of Edinburgh, UK.

Review :
'Alexander Murdoch's book presents a series of interlocking arguments about why the idea of Britain and British history matters in the 'long eighteenth century', and is, in part, a firm, but always courteous and balanced, response to such criticisms and doubts. It is also a timely volume, given the apparently mounting public pressures for 'nationalist' histories in present-day Scotland.' - Bob Harris, Scottish Historical Review 'This little book provides a helpfully broad view of the period' - Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum, Annotated Bibliography for Georgians and Jacobites: Scotland 1715-1800 'students of the seventeenth century will find much of interest' - Barry Coward, Annual Bulletin of Historical Literature 'This is a learned, lively, thought-provoking attempt to grapple with a range of very complex issues.' - Bob Harris, Scottish Historical Review