Written by the cream of academic talent in modern Scottish history and politics this book provides a comprehensive examination of the past present and future prospects of the Anglo Scottish Union A scholarly but accessible read its contributors do not shy away from the controversies surrounding the Union Their cutting edge research is presented in a lucid style serving as an excellent introduction to some key aspects of the Anglo Scottish relationship between 1707 and 2007 Scotland and the Union 1707 2007 covers all the key themes Why the Union took placeA growing acceptance of the Union in the 18th centuryThe impact of Scots central role in the British EmpireThe politics of unionismThe challenge of nationalismThatcherism and the UnionDevolution and prospects for the futureNo other volume considers the entire 300 year experience of union from its origins in the early 18th century to the historic parliamentary victory of the SNP in May 2007 This is the essential text for understanding one of the most burning issues in British public life today