This is a vivid narrative account of the events, troubles and triumphs of the opening decade of the eighteenth century - of the life and death of Prince George, the trial of Dr Sacheverell, the Great Wind of 1703, the duke of Marlborough's victories in Europe, and of the union of Scotland with England and Wales - the creation of the British Nation.

After an introduction setting the social and political scene, a chapter is devoted to each year. The rhythm of life was conditioned by frequent general elections of which there were no less than six, and the country was in an almost permanent state of election fever. Scotland too underwent a decisive election in 1703 which paved the way for the Union of 1707.

Whether or not (as the author enquires) this was the greatest political conspiracy of the century, Scots now shared with English voters in contests for the return of MPs to what for the first time could be called the Parliament of Britain.

This is far from being merely a history of great events: the author seeks to discover the contemporary concerns of the people, whether or not these proved of subsequent importance. So great is his skill in interweaving the momentous with the minute and in summoning the presence of the individual actors of the time, that the reader's only regret in completing the book will be to have wished it longer.

This is history writing at its best - evocative, clear, imaginatively sympathetic, and firmly based on an unrivalled knowledge of the period.