Posts Tagged ‘book reviews’
Book review – Septimius Severus in Scotland
Archeologist Simon Elliott’s romp through the history of Roman Scotland is a hugely enjoyable read. Elliott focuses on Emperor Septimius Severus, who in 208AD led his army of 40,000 men north of Hadrian’s Wall, marching north to take the Antonine Wall and then reoccupying many forts built by Agricola over 100 years earlier following the…
Read MoreLady Frances: Frances Balfour, Aristocrat, Suffragist
Joan B Huffman provides a compelling and meticulously-researched insight into one of the highest-ranking members of the British aristocracy to assume a leadership role in the women’s suffrage movement. The book depicts in rich detail the life of Lady Frances Balfour, a little-known character who did a lot for British women. With detailed accounts of…
Read MoreReview: The Willow Tea Rooms Recipe Book
This is far more than a straightforward recipe book, as The Willow Tea Rooms is the story of a piece of Glasgow’s history. It opens with an introduction by Anne Mulhern, who revived the tearooms in the 1980s, followed by a brief history of the original tearooms founded by Kate Cranston and designed by Charles…
Read MoreReview: The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster
With a refreshing new spin on the classic legend of the Loch Ness Monster, Lari Don offers children a tender and inspiring tale. Cousins Kenneth and Ishbel cross Loch Ness in search of the famed treasure beneath Urquhart Castle so they can buy food for the winter. Driven by the legend of the castle’s two…
Read MoreBook review: Spey Flies – How To Tie Them
Veteran fly fisherman and expert fly tier Bob Veverka offers perhaps the most extensive book yet on Spey flies. Putting all he’s learned down on paper, he includes how-to-cast guides complete with step-by-step photos and informative paragraphs on the different Spey patterns and colours. A must-have for any fly fishing enthusiast, the level of detail…
Read MoreBook review – 25 Years of the Ayrshire Road Run
What’s the story? Back in 1993, the Ayrshire Road Run was created as an adjunct to the established annual vintage rally organised by the Ayrshire Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club (AVT&MC). The idea was to promote the rally by running entered commercial vehicles around the major towns in Ayrshire. Over the following years the Road…
Read MoreBook review – The A-Z of Edinburgh
Part of Amberley’s A-Z series, A-Z of Edinburgh offers a well-rounded look into Scotland’s capital through succinct, informative pieces on its monuments, various locations, and remarkable people. Lisa Sibbald’s alphabetical selection, with Sean Connery, Dolly the Sheep, and Arthur Conan Doyle next to one another, makes for an interesting read. A treat for anyone looking to…
Read MoreCongratulations – Songwriter to the Stars
In this engrossing autobiography, Bill Martin, one of the most successful and prolific songwriters of the last few decades, tells not only the story of his Glasgow upbringing, but also some fascinating anecdotes from his long career in the music industry. Bill wrote several number one hits in the 1960s and 70s and received numerous recognitions…
Read MoreBook review – The 21 Escapes of Lt Alastair Cram
David M Guss has written the barely believable story of Alastair Cram, a Scottish prisoner of war who attempted a record 21 prison escapes during the Second World War. And it is as gripping as it is inspiring. Described by his widow Isobel as a private and reserved man, Cram wrote about his experiences in…
Read MoreBook review – Minister of Money
The name of Henry Duncan is one you may recognise. He was a parish minister who played a role in the Disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843, but most importantly, was the founder of the worldwide savings bank movement. He opened his first branch in Dumfriesshire in 1810 to encourage the poor…
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