The Two Unions

Reviews / Votes

This is an important book ... it is likely to secure its place as a work that will be read well after the current political debates are forgotten or have become potent memories or myths. * James Mitchell, Journal of British Studies * this is a story of decline, but one which stresses that, for long periods, the union in both Scotland and Ireland survived and, at times, prospered. As such, this book will be invaluable to historians of both countries and should be required reading for all those interested in the constitutional future of the United Kingdom. * A. J. MacPherson, Northern Scotland * In this distinguished book ... Jackson sets out to provide a rigorous comparative treatment of the Irish and Scottish experience of union, and to explain why both have endured, if only partly in the Irish case. The result is a richly textured work by a historian at the top of his game. Jackson's command of the historiographical debates pertaining to a daunting range of periods and issues in the history of the two unions, and his lucidly argued judgements and insights combine to put this book in a pole position in the area of comparative historical studies concerning these islands. It is a book that could hardly have been timelier .. * Graham Walker, Irish Historical Studies * This superb book provides the first complete cultural and political history of the unions ... Highly recommended * D. R. Bisson, CHOICE * What is illuminating is Jackson's brilliantly executed comparative approach to his subject ... [the state of the Union] is made crystal clear in what is an utterly compelling book. * Christopher Whatley, BBC History Magazine * Why was the one union a success, while the other failed? Alvin Jackson brings the tools of modern historical scholarship to answer this question in his impressive book. The Two Unions offers welcome relief from the usual polemics. * Vernon Bogdanor, Literary Review * A superb run-through of 300 years of critical issues with lots of topical relevance and interest ... [Two Unions] comes highly recommended from Talking History. * 'Talking History' programme, Newstalk Radio * Alvin Jackson, the author of two excellent histories of Ireland in (and not in) the United Kingdom, now broadens his canvas in a timely account of one [union's] death and the other's survival - so far. * Iain McLean, Times Literary Supplement * There could be no better moment to produce the first scholarly history of the two unions ... tough-minded, unsentimental ... [Jackson] has performed an extraordinarily valuable service ... perfect academic detachment is preserved throughout ... a superb book * A.B. Cooke (Lord Lexden), Parliament: The House Magazine * [Two Unions is] enlightening and even fun - smart, wonderfully learned and witty ... [This] book would make a splendid present for anyone interested in Irish (or Scottish) history. * Jude Collins, Book Programme, BBC Radio Ulster * meticulously researched ... conceptually important ... an important book [which] is likely to secure its place as a work that will be read after the current debates are forgotten or have become potent myths and memories * James Mitchell, Journal of British Studies * In this lucid, powerfully argued and often witty book, Alvin Jackson sets out to compare systematically the genesis, complex histories and contrasting fortunes of the Anglo-Scottish and Anglo-Irish unions nobody has matched the ambition, scope and indeed mastery of this work a summary does scant justice to the complexity and richness of Jackson's arguments and anatomisation of the two unions. This is a book based on considerable original research and a talent for synthesis and assimilation of a voluminous secondary literature. It sets an agenda for thinking about the union and unionisms Politicians at Westminster may well wish to read this book, and ponder hard. * Bob Harris, English Historical Review * The study is based on a very wide range of sources, is elegantly written, and is filled with new insights. It is in every respect a triumph. * Thomas Bartlett, Annual Bulletin of Historical Literature * a distinguished analysis, subtle, balanced and insightful ... tightly organised and closely argued * John Swift, Dublin Review of Books *