A review by zhelana
How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It by Arthur Herman

challenging slow-paced

0.0

Guys, I found a dinosaur! Someone writing Great Man History in this century, and literally writing a 500 page book without mentioning a single woman! Anyway, after reading this entire book I have no idea how the Scots invented the modern world other than Adam Smith happened to be a Scotsman and a Scotsman improved the steam engine to the point that it could be used. There were a few other philosophers and artists mentioned, but no one I actually recognized I don't think (though admittedly once I got about halfway into this book I started 'grad school reading' it because I wanted to finish only because I needed a book about Scotland for a reading challenge and wasn't going to finish another book if I started one in time!) 

Honestly, I am starting to think there ought to be a limit on professors. If your phd is more than 30 years old you're required to do it again if you want to continue as a professor. Or maybe just a hard stop at 50 years. Step aside and let someone younger have a job. Because I'm sure that not only is this guy writing misogynistic Great Man history, he's also teaching it to 101 students and turning them off history forever and teaching it to grad students teaching them that it is alright to write a 500 page book without mentioning a single woman. 

Honestly, I can't even with this book. I regret giving this guy the pennies he earns from royalties on the book