The Two Unions
Ireland, Scotland, and the Survival of the United Kingdom, 1707-2007
Published on 11. July 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
484 pages
978-0-19-967537-1 (ISBN)
Description
Much has been written about the decline of the United Kingdom. The Two Unions looks instead at the lengthy survival of the Union, examining the institutions, structures, and individuals that have contributed to its longevity.
In order to understand its survival, the author, one of the foremost historians of modern Ireland and of the British-Irish relationship, sustains a comparison between the Irish and Scots Unions, their respective origins and subsequent development. He provides a detailed examination of the two interlinked Unionist movements in Scotland and Ireland. Alvin Jackson illuminates not only the history and varied health of the United Kingdom over the past 300 years, but also its present condition and prospects.
In order to understand its survival, the author, one of the foremost historians of modern Ireland and of the British-Irish relationship, sustains a comparison between the Irish and Scots Unions, their respective origins and subsequent development. He provides a detailed examination of the two interlinked Unionist movements in Scotland and Ireland. Alvin Jackson illuminates not only the history and varied health of the United Kingdom over the past 300 years, but also its present condition and prospects.
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 * lucid, powerfully argued and often rather witty ... A summary does scant justice to the complexity and richness of JacksonAcs 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. Politicians at Westminster may well wish to read this book and ponder hard. * Bob Harris, English Historical Review * 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 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
2 maps and 10 black and white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 181 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
722 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-967537-1 (9780199675371)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
12/2011
Oxford University Press
€96.90
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Alvin Jackson has been Professor of Modern Irish History at Queen's University Belfast, and Burns Visiting Professor at Boston College. He was educated at Corpus Christi College and Nuffield College, Oxford, and has held a British Academy Senior Research Fellowship as well as a British Academy Research Readership.
Content
I THE MEASURES AND THEIR HISTORIES ; II THE SURVIVAL OF THE UNIONS: OVERVIEWS ; III THE SURVIVAL OF THE UNIONS: PEOPLE, IDEAS, INSTITUTIONS ; IV REFLECTIONS ON THE UNIONS