Top 10 Scottish Books

September 2004

'What Jack Alexander gives us is an intriguing and often moving history...Alexander's book is full of absorbing stories. He claims that it was 16 years in the writing and I believe him. Judging by the footnotes, appendices, bibliographies and acknowledgements his research was extraordinary.'
Scottish Sunday Herald

'this book is of wider interest than just to Hearts fans or students of Edinburgh's history. Anyone who wants to see how a team of footballers can translate that familiar sporting cliche of "taking the fight to the opposition" into reality should read it. This is, quite simply, the best football-related book of the year.'
Times of London

'full of intriguing details, some humorous, some tragic...Burrowes has written a good, solid, lively piece of popular history.'
Sunday Herald

'Burrowes has done a remarkable job in telling this engaging tale of privation and evolving social history in an incisive way.'
The Good Book Guide

'Making extensive use of contemporary documents, he attempts to explain the very complex social, political and cultural tensions which still thrive in Glasgow today and shows how the "Irish" acted as a catalyst for issues of Scottish identity and nationhood itself. An enthralling read and an absolute must for anyone in Ulster doomed from birth to supporting either Celtic or Rangers.'
The Belfast Telegraph

'The joys, the risks and the motivatations of mountain climbing are at the heart of this remarkable book.'
The Glasgow Herald

'joyfully recalls more than half a century of expeditions in every corner of the globe...This however is not simply a boastful account of Slesser's albeit impressive achievements. Nor is it an inventory of hardships withstood. Instead, it uses his ample stock of stories to question why climbers choose to face such enormous risks - of hypothermia, altitude sickness and fatal falls...This fine book could make even the most armchair-bound readers reach for their boots.'
Daily Mail

Rangers entered the new world of sport and big business in April 1986 when they signed Graeme Souness, a man with no previous connections to a club steeped in its own historical traditions. These traditions are ineluctably intertwined with those of their great Glasgow rivals, Celtic, whose origins as an Irish Catholic club set up the rivalry that became known as the Old Firm, once said to be 'a business based on bigotry'.

Celtic were slow to react to the Souness challenge at Ibrox, especially when Souness was joined by a new owner at Rangers, millionaire businessman David Murray, but after years of squabbling at Celtic Park, Celtic's saviour arrived in the form of expatriate millionaire Fergus McCann.

'an honest, yet balanced account'
Scotland on Sunday

Providing an invaluable guide to the surnames of Scotland each entry in this book covers the history, areas of family lands, castles and tartans (ancient and modern) associated with the powerful clans of the Highlands - and the great families of the Lowlands.

 

 

As one of a handful of UK police officers trained in SAS deep-cover surveillance, David Corbett infiltrated the toughest communities, living among junkies, prostitutes, murderers and firearm dealers in order to gather evidence that would lead to dozens of convictions.

The pinnacle of his career was an operation in the former pit town of Blyth, where there had been 15 drug-related deaths in 12 months. Leaving his wife and family, he spent five months undercover, wired up, winning the confidence of the dealers, and had to cope with having his life endangered by a corrupt officer.

Corbett's work led to 31 convictions and commendations from his superiors, but, without any form of counselling, the stress took its toll and he was forced into early retirement, feeling betrayed by the force that had sent him out on these dangerous missions.

Fiona lives in a beautiful corner of the Hebridean Isle of Islay, a wilderness steeped in mystery, legend and folklore, abundant in wildlife and haunted by seals which frequent the rocky islets and changing seas around Kildalton.

But these seals, the people of the sea, are under attack from both man and nature. As a deadly virus sweeps through hundreds of seal colonies, Fiona realises that she must sacrifice her unique and intensely personal relationship with these animals to public scrutiny in order to save them from the cruelty of man. By exposing her music and songs to a wider, human audience, Fiona hopes she can awaken a deeper communication between man and animal, and so prevent the bloodshed.

SEAL is a unique, inspiring and true story. It is a story about a relationship born of music and love, and of a woman's fight to save the true inhabitants of the seas.

In Harry Henniker's guide to Scotland's National Cycle Network, clear instructions are given on how to navigate the many Sustrans cycling routes across mainland Scotland through user-friendly maps and detailed height profiles.

Also featured are lists of B&Bs and places to stay on all the bike routes, interesting information on the towns, villages cyclists will pass through on their journey and tips on what equipment to take and instructions on exactly how to get there.

'This is the essential guide to the many routes available in Scotland, describing the network and listing B&Bs and places to stay on all bike routes as well as providing clear instructions and easy-to-use maps.'
Greenock Telegraph

Years of tradition crashed around the ears of Celtic supporters when the Jungle was demolished and replaced by seating to conform with the Taylor Report.

It might never have been the most attractive setting in which to watch football but to the fans who occupied the gentle slopes under the covered North Enclosure it was as familiar as their own living-room.

To them it was the nerve-centre of all that was good about their team and about Scottish football in general.

Perhaps one of the most popular of Stevenson's works, A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES, first published in 1885, is regarded universally as one of the greatest recollections of childhood in verse.

 

 

 

Archive: June 2005 | December 2004 | September 2004 | July 2004 | May 2004 | February 2004

Click here for the Online Top 10 or here for the Sports Top 10