To See Ourselves

To See Ourselves

A Personal History of Scotland Since 1950

About the Ebook

Since 1945 the world has changed at breakneck speed, and life in post-war Scotland is now entirely different from what it was like when Alistair Moffat grew up in the quiet Border town of Kelso in the 1950s. At that time the rhythms and practicalities of daily life which had remained constant for many generations were about to change in the most unimaginable ways.

This is a book about these changes – many of which have been dizzying and disorientating – and how they have affected each and every one of us in all parts of the country. The main themes, such as housing, healthcare, sport, the media, the arts and entertainment, urban and country life, our relationship with the environment, politics, religion and education, are all viewed through the lens of personal experience. Alistair's own recollections of big events and small, together with other eyewitness accounts, bring these decades alive in a way that no ordinary history can with a directness and poignancy that underlines how much has been gained – and how much lost.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Discover since 1945 the world has changed at breakneck speed, and life in post-war Scotland is now entirely different from what it was like when Alistair Moffat grew up in the quiet Border town of Kelso in the 1950s
• Explore at that time the rhythms and practicalities of daily life which had remained constant for many generations were about to change in the most unimaginable ways
• Gain expertise in Personal history and Scottish history
• Learn from proven expertise and experience

Reviews

• 'Filtering the last 75 years of Scottish history through the author's own experiences — gets the balance just right between capturing telling details and presenting the bigger picture' - The Scotsman
• 'Analytical yet elegiac, objective yet personal — a hard book to categorise but an easy book to love' - Books from Scotland 'A compelling social history — strongly recommended' - Country Life
• 'A wonderful evocation of a changing Scotland over the past 75 years' - Undiscovered Scotland 'A relatable and enjoyable march through the decades, taking in everything from health, housing and education to religion, sport, media and politics' - Sunday Post'

About the Author

Alistair Moffat was born and bred in the Scottish Borders. A former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Director of Programmes at Scottish Television and founder of the Borders Book Festival, he is also the author of a number of highly acclaimed books. From 2011 he was Rector of the University of St Andrews. He has written more than thirty books on Scottish history, and lives in the Scottish Borders.

Publication Details

ISBN (EPUB): 9781788857772
Publication Date: 12 June 2025
Pages: 272
Format: Ebook (EPUB)
Publisher: Birlinn

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