This is the 1982 revision and elaboration of Thomas Crawford's widely acclaimed 1965 study of Scott. All aspects of Scott's work as a poet, balladist and novelist are examined with lively critical insight in the light of both Crawford's own perceptions and of the many studies of Scott that have marked the modern revival of interest in the man and his work. Crawford comes to grips with the underlying intention and themes in the novels and demonstrates how these are developed in individual works and how they relate to Scott's presentation of action and characters. There is a particularly searching examination of The Heart of Midlothian, which Mr. Crawford regards as Scott's masterpiece.