The histories of the "three kingdoms" or "four nations" that eventually became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801 are distinct but not separate. From the Restoration of Charles II to the Act of Union with Ireland, Jim Smyth interweaves the different national stories into an authoritative account of the creation of the modern British state. Including discussion of society and economy alongside analysis of contemporary politics and the religious question, Smyth shows how the experiences of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland were shaped by unity as well as diversity. In an age of anxiety about national identity and the future of the United Kingdom, this is a timely and important book.