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Book Reviews

Scottish American Society

We are always interested in information - fact or fiction - which features different aspects of Scotland or life there. 

Read any good books lately that will fit our parameters?  Please submit your review for this area.
 
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YE CANNA JOIN IN OOR GAMES
By Nancy Parsons
 
This delightful book about growing up in a Scottish American household is one that should be preserved and cherished by all those who share the same experiences.  Perhaps it will shed a little light on the subject for those who do not have the same heritage.   In any case, it is a pleasant read for anyone.  I highly recommend it. 
 
Order from the author at:  writer.parsons@verizon.net
Or from this website:  www.foursquare-books.com.  Reviews and excerpts are included there.
 
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The book Captains of Concrete by author Sonny Moran is about North America's first self-propelled ship made of concrete.  
 
The book can be purchased at this Web site http://captainsofconcrete.web.officelive.com/info.aspx
 

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The Mystery Animals of the British Isles:

The Western Isles (ISBN 9781905723423)

This award winning book covers both the Inner and Outer Hebrides and brings together for the first time reports of the strange and mysterious animals from past centuries to the modern day.

The land, inland waters and surrounding sea are all covered; reported sightings include demon dogs, big cats, water horses, lake monsters, sea serpents, mermaids, Albert the lonely albatross, and the fate of the great auk.

Featuring werewolves on Lewis, big cats on Mull and Colonsay, faery dogs on Uist, sea monsters in the cool waters off Skye and dragons on Islay, while Benbecula has played host to a multitude of creatures including faery dogs, a bear, a globster, and there is even the grave of a mermaid to be found - the only sign of a tragic tale.

Complementing the text are illustrations, maps, an illustrated spotter’s guide, a glossary, and a comprehensive index. The book covers subjects as diverse as cryptozoology, folklore, history and mystery and will be of interest to inhabitants of and visitors to the islands alike.

Variously described as ‘a cracking read’, ‘an excellent and valuable study’, ‘the work of an old world story teller’ and ‘a travel guide’ The Mystery Animals of the Western Isles is in a league of its own.

The book is available in the United States at: www.amazon.com

It is currently priced at from $19.65

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THE SCOTTISH ARMADA

By John Young

 

I have just published an historical novel based on almost 30 years of research into an apparent piece of Scotland’s missing history. The title is 'The Scottish Armada', which features Lord John Maxwell 8th Lord of Caerlaverock Castle near Dumfries in Scotland as the principal hero.

I was born in Glasgow and moved to Ayr where I started researching my historical novel as the result of locating Spanish galleons sunk in the Solway Firth. 
The story is based on the involvement of Scottish Catholic Lords with Philip II of Spain, where a plan was agreed to land Spanish troops at Kirkcudbright near Caerlaverock Castle in 1588 and join with the Scottish Catholics to attack England. I have documented proof that Lord John Maxwell, Earl of Morton was in Madrid with Philip II to formulate these plans, from the translations of Philip’s papers the ‘Simancas’.

'The Scottish Armada' ISBN 9781449023898 and is now launched and is available in 32 outlets including Amazon etc. www.bookbutler.com will give full details. I felt it might be of interest to your members. The novel was launched in Kinsale, Ireland, where I live, on the 28th November and was well received.

The launch in Scotland will be in the spring of 2010. If you require further information please contact me.
Sincerely John Young

 

Contact John via e-mail at:  igraine_camelot@hotmail.com

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My Mother's Cousin and Other Memorable Characters
by Bill "Snakebite" Ferguson
 
Bill writes of his book: "It is a series of short stories covering my Uncle Jock's adventures from the 2nd. World War in North Africa to his civilian life as a senior official working in the deep level gold mines near Johannesburg. Those mines are more than two miles deep. I also write about some of his contemporaries and some of the real characters I worked with in the same mines. I had a career in mining that spanned forty seven years, and describe what it was like working more than 12000' underground. There are thirty four stories in the book and my Uncle is the central character. He was my mother's cousin and he and my father, both single at the time, immigrated to South Africa in the mid-thirties. They had worked in Knockshinnoch coal mine in New Cumnock, Ayrshire."
 
The book is 267 pages in length, including foreword and glossary and costs $18 (Cdn).  For more information, you may contact the author,
Bill Ferguson.   Box 519, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, Canada.  R0E 1A0
or via e-mail at:  mbferg@mts.net
 
This book is a jolly good read.  It provides an insight into mining operations that can only be provided by someone who has been there, and amusing anecdotes about an uncle who must have been a real and very Scottish character. [m.a.f.]. 
 
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My Mother's Cousin. To link to the author's Blog page, click here

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Scotland:  A Very Short Introduction by Rab Houston.
 
This is an excellent summation of Scottish history, covering everything from the Jacobites to devolution and the modern economy.  It has it all - in brief - or at least about as brief as it is possible to be and still contain information that will be useful.  This is Scotland's story without the myths.  While the myths are delightful, sometimes you need just the plain unvarnished (and unexaggerated) truth.  This book has it.  No doubt it should be on all our bookshelves. 

To order this book, contact the Oxford University Press, 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314.  Or e-mail andrew.varhol@oup.com

Better yet, click here for the link to Amazon.com:

'76 Arran
by
Gordon MacLeod
A novel based on the Clearances that took place on the island of Arran in Scotland.  It follows one man's attempts to trace his ancestors, taking him across parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.  As part of his quest, he has a plan to mark these momentous events.
 
The novel is on Amazon for Kindle and other applications.  Simply type in, when on the Amazon bookstore, the words '76' and 'Arran' and it will come up priced around US $1.50.
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To order, click here.

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ARRIVED !!
 
MAOLCOLM, BEQUEST OF THE BROTHERHOOD
 
*Available copies from Jim Frost include shipping and handling at this price - $19.00
 
Maolcolm's charmed life and a penchant for story-telling wouldn't have come as a surprise to the monks of Kilkillian Priory in Ireland where he was raised as a lad.  They would never find out, however for they lay dead, slaughtered by those who lusted for the presumed wealth of the monasteries of the sixteenth century and others, who were caught in the frenzy of reducing to mere brick and mortar a church they thought had strayed.
 
Maolcolm, the son of a midwife and blacksmith, two professions with exceptional powers, would carry on their legacy under the guise of a penitent banished from the priory in order to do penance in Scotland just as an ancient predecessor had done. Maolcolm follows pilgrim tracks across midland Scotland oblivious to the turmoil going on around him, including of all things, the Protestant Reformation.  As he travels, he encounters endless perplexing individuals, some reasonable, some saintly and some downright daffy.  His adventures enchant endless audiences in ancient alehouses or wherever he is able to assume his place beside the hearth.
 
There's a seriousness to Maolcolm's quest to accomplish the tasks that the monks of Kilkillian want him to accomplish, but alas, forces beyond his control twist his mission within a mix of sometimes tragic, sometimes triumphant, but always colorful circumstances.  A fatal error in judgment at the end of his journey was by design as we come to find out.
 
It wasn't his passing that was so disturbing, it was the demise of oral traditions and old belief systems that otherwise would be transmitted naturally to future generations.  Imperative was the need to find an ear to hear his story and possibly save the wealth of traditions for another millennium.  All is told in the old alehouse on the west coast of Scotland. 
 
Paperback     386 pages

Books are available only through the author Jim Frost at:  jfrost@nls.net
or call:  330-882-0342. 
 
Appeal  The Scottish and Irish among us
             Those who love fantasy
             Those who have a love of history
Others who have found as I did that 16th century Scotland is an endless source of movie plots.
 
*I have some copies.  More can be ordered and received quickly as this is print-on-demand.
 
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THE SUNDAY PHILOSOPHY CLUB
By Alexander McCall Smith
 
This is a charming mystery written with an eye to detail for all those who know Edinburgh well.  Isabel Dalhousie, a middle aged, rather well off lady, is rather fond of problems - even though she knows they are none of her business.  When she witnesses the death of someone she doesn't know, she makes it her affair to find out more about it and to solve the mystery behind it.  A good read.  Alexancer McCall Smith has written other books, well worth pursuing:
 
The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
 
Tears of the Giraffe
 
Morality for Beautiful Girls
 
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
 
The Full Cupboard of Life
 
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies

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A Cadger’s Curse

By Diane Gilbert Madson

Who’d have guessed that running employee background checks at a data corporation would make DD McGil the target of a ruthless killer?

For DD, a thirty-something English professor turned investigator, the routine job should have been a welcome distraction from her fiancé’s death and her eccentric aunt’s quest to authenticate a literary treasure.

Relying on her own moxie (bolstered by the occasional shot of Glenlivet),and help from others, she races to find out the source of high-tech treachery at the data corporation.

Available from www.midnightinkbooks.com, $14.95 US.

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Not a book, but for those of you who prefer to watch DVD's: 

The Bruce Trilogy is an historic three DVD set that brings to life Scotland's king, Robert the Bruce. These informative and entertaining videos are packed with spectacular Scottish scenery, lovely songs and music, compelling historic re-enactments and a fascinating, memorable narrative that adds dimension and colour to the story of Robert the Bruce.

For more information on these DVD's and how to purchase them, click here: