Stewart Books

One of the most intriguing characters in the history of 16th century Scotland was Francis Stewart, Fifth Earl of Bothwell. Cousin to King James VI and godson of Mary Queen of Scots, Bothwell was a pivotal figure in what the book's cover copy aptly terms "the nightmare politics of his day."

Handsome, charismatic, and wildly popular, Bothwell was both rallying point and poster boy for such disparate groups as the border reivers, bishops of the Kirk, and ambitious Catholic noblemen. Although Bothwell stood uncomfortably near the throne (his father was one of James V's [illegitimate] sons), King James VI was openly fond of his cousin, granting him honors and restoring to him lands and titles lost by his uncle James Hepburn, the fourth Earl of Bothwell (and Mary's third husband.)

Bothwell rewarded his royal cousin's favor with a campaign of terror -- repeated efforts to kidnap James, as well as several strange, almost inexplicable assaults on the king's privacy and peace of mind. The turbulent, fragmented culture and the constantly shifting loyalties of Scotish nobles and clery made it extremely difficult for James to censure Bothwell, much less contain him. Bishops praised Bothwell from the pulpits as the "sanctified scourge of God," castles guardians quietly released him from any attempted imprisonment, and the border reivers, always eager for adventure and plunder, flocked to his banner, providing Bothwell with a personal army that was often far superior to anything the king could muster.

Courted by nearly every faction in Scotland, financed by his marriage to a wealthy widow (and through under-the-table stipends from Queen Elizabeth, who encouraged many of his exploits), Bothwell led a charmed life, albeit a highly complicated one. As Lord Admiral of Scotland, he carried on secret and highly treasonous negotiations with Spain in the uncertain days before the attack of the famous Spanish Armada. He accepted money from England's queen while he plotted to free his royal godmother from an English prison. Such was his popularity and power that he weathered two of the most deadly accusations possible: treason through witchcraft.

When storms waylaid James' expected bride, Anne of Denmark, the king gallantly set sail to meet her in Norway. Their return was hampered by such fierce storms that Danish sailors suspected witchcraft. James, who survived the first of many assassination attempts when he was still in his mother's womb, was a justifiably nervous man, always alert to any threat to his person and position. Back in Scotland, he learned that a conspiracy of witches in North Berwick, alledgedly led by the Earl of Bothwell, had performed dark rites in an attempt to bring about the king's death. A trial resulted, but Bothwell was easily acquitted by this peers (due in no small part to the large band of "toughs" who were much in evidence during the trial.)

This is easily the best, most informative source I've found on the Fifth Earl of Bothwell. The author writes well. The information is organized well, researched throroughly, argued clearly, and presented in an accessible style. This book filled in the gaps left by several intriguing, unanswered questions raised by other histories of the period, including several biographies of King James VI. Few books present the complicated politics of 16th century Scotland so vividly. Some characters cannot be defined by a recitation of their actions; their power comes largely from a personal charisma, and can only be perceived in the context of their times and through the eyes of the people who knew them. Bothwell was such a man, and any attempt to "explain" him is likely to fall well short of the mark. Not even a reliable portrait remains to help our imaginations conjure the "wizard earl." That said, this book exceeded not only my expectations, but my hopes. I came away with a far better understanding, not only of Francis Stewart, but of this fascinating era.

Some readers might be unnerved by the author's implied assumption that malevelent witchcraft not only existed, but actually worked. Skeptics would do well to remember that this book attempts to bring the reader into the mindset of 16th century Scotland. Read in this context, such passages add to the narrative rather that detract from its credibility.

Highly recommented book. It's hard to find a copy, but well worth the effort.

A young boy and his stuffed bear travel in a cardboard box to a strange planet. Can they escape the dangers of the alien planet and find their way home? A cute book for very young pre-readers, `The Box' is a true picture book: no words at all. But the absence of words can help young kids make up their own words to go with the pictures. A nice book.

i fortunately got this book along with the rest of the trilogy for my 4th grade son for christmas. a great move, he blasted thru these books with in 4 months. this is the 2nd of the triology. of the 3 he loved this one the best. wish scott young banged out a couple more. truly timeless, well written books for a young hockey fan. thanx & let's go flyers !!!!!!!!!!

All the books in the Stuart Hoag series are great reads, but this one was the best so far. There are not one, but two surprise endings and you won't know who the killer is until the final pages--I was totally wrong the entire time, and that doesn't happen very often! The story is about Stuart Hoage, a ghostwriter who has been hired to write the official biography for the wunderkind director, Matthew Wax, as a PR stunt to slant publicity in his favor as he battles in divorce court against his wife for control of his studio and custody of his baby son. The cast of character is quirky without being annoying. As Hoage digs into Mathew's past, he finds all kinds of skeletons in the closet & then people start getting murdered. You will not be able to put this book down! It's a great read & an excellent story. I'm surprised this series isn't more well-known than it is.

If you grew up listening to Foster and Bill Hewitt, Danny Gallivan, Ward Cornell, Ed Fitkin and Jack Dennett, this book is must reading. Scott Young, the author played a large role in Hockey Night in Canada on radio on the Hot Stove portions of the broadcasts during intermission. He takes a loving look at Canada's highest rated program on CBC and probably in Canadian broadcasting history. Everything is in it from the politics with the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs with the CBC and their choice of announcers to Esso gas station attendant, Murray Westgate's, "Always look to Imperial for the best!" tagline at the end of every hockey broadcast. Growing up watching Hockey Night in Canada in Detroit, (Windsor, Ontario was just across the border) we never knew why some changes were made on "HNIC," but now I do. I sure do miss Foster Hewitt doing the 3-star selection which were the two goalies, and Dave Keon!

An incredibly detailed, accurate, and stimulating account of a fascinating time in history. The author's beautifully researched story allows the reader to experience a wonderful journey to the past.
I highly recommend.

I received a copy of this for my own wedding. The book is attractive, colorful and creative. The book is hand illustrated and printed in soft pastels. Truely beautiful. It takes you through your history together, your past, present and a leap into the future, where do you want to go in your life together? What are your dreams? Once completed, each section takes you down memory lane. From your first meeting, first impressions of each other, special moments shared, etc... It provides space for detailed information of your engagement, parties in your honor, wedding memories, honeymoon, and your dreams for the future. I cherish mine. As my daughter grows, she enjoys looking at it. Seeing how her parents got together and the romance they shared. As I age, it reminds me of all the wonderous things we experienced together. In addition it reminds me of where we started and all of the goals we have achieved. This book can always take me back to those romantic feelings once again. I highly recommend this book for the bride to be. She will treasure it for years and probably pass it on to her children.

Fun and excellent book on bidding fundamentals. Not simple stuff like what do you respond with 6-9, etc. Instead it shows bidding sequences and asks you to figure out pards hand shape. There are some good play problems requiring visualization and deduction, (rather than advanced squeezes). The book will expose gaps in your knowledge of fundamental bidding. This is far more valuable than studying new conventions.

A GREAT book for Intermediates.

I bet many of you "advanced" players would get a lot of this BASIC and FUNDAMENTAL material wrong.

According to me, the best history is read as biography, or best of all, as autobiography. Broad histories of countries, historical events or even so-called social history get bog-downed in minutaie and analytical discussions. I prefer personal history, even of unimportant people. This book is an exception, and I don't know why exactly.

Churchill Falls is, by capacity, the single largest hydroelectric site in Canada. Its development posed numerous engineering problems not the least of which was the long-distance transmission of electricity. Financing the project and getting the Newfoundland, Quebec and Canadian federal governments to agree posed problems of a different sort: human, ego and how to cut the proverbial cake. Some 30 years later, it's still an issue.

This book should be of interest to anyone connected to hydroelectricity. But that's not really the point. For the book also provides, if actions speak louder than words, a fascinating glimpse into the true political style of Joey Smallwood and the political changes ongoing in Quebec in the 1960s. To students of contemporary Canadian history, this book is a joy. And it has made me wonder if the best way to look at history is to see how different parties put together a complex deal.

We must give Wayne Grady full marks for ambition. When his editor wished to elevate him to "the Canadian David Quammen", Grady upped the ante. He wants to be the "John McPhee" of The Great White North. That's about as lofty as you can get. Does he succeed? Does this book herald a replacement for The New Yorker magazine's eclectic journalist? The topics are varied and interesting. Grady explains them clearly and earnestly, with flashes of dry wit.

In his "First Words" introduction, Grady demonstrates his desire to set new patterns. He notes that this collection relies on his columns in "explore" magazine without simply reprinting old material. He has expanded and updated the original material, sometimes overly restricted in lengths and deadline limitations. These, he says, are essays, not merely retread columns. Further, he wishes to have these essays seen as a "single voice" addressing a "unified theme." The voice is his and the theme is that humanity considers itself detached from the remainder of the world. That, he stresses, is an attitude that must be overcome. The theme, thus, is a reconsideration of where evolution has left our species in the natural order of things.

Technology, in its various forms, has allowed this one species to inhabit nearly all the planet, Grady says. Instead of adapting to the local environment, Homo sapiens has learned how to change its surroundings to suit itself. Agriculture remade land use. Various animals were brought into our communities and put to work or on the table. Darwin's natural selection has been replaced by artificial selection of both plants and animals. More, these technologies now have a global reach and impact. Technology now brings to our table products from Mexico and Africa. Is this innovative practice the result of our sub-tropical origins? Do we need these "exotic" foods to survive?, he asks.

We are going beyond the changing of some species to our design, however. We are eliminating species we deem "harmful" in some way. Killing wolves and coyotes was almost a daily ritual for herdsmen a few years ago. It still is for some. Grady's account of the Harters, a retired couple who chase coyotes with a pick-up and a dog team is stomach-wrenching. Their motive, "It keeps us young" beggars comment. The modern capacity to assign guilt by proximity led to the killing of a cougar suspected of attacking a jogger. It was the wrong cougar. Our desire to limit the world we must cope with goes beyond a few geriatrics chasing coyotes or slaughtering predators until we find the one that may have attacked a human. We are expanding our denial of life's diversity into government policy. Grady quotes his hero: "Nature has become an enemy of the state". Grady wants at least an armistace, if not a peace.

Grady isn't contending we give up the benefits our evolved intellect has granted us. His articles on health and dealing with natural threats show his broad approach. It's not a return to our primitive roots he seeks, but the application of some common sense. He also knows that won't be forthcoming unless we are informed about the world around us. He's like his idol in that sense. Has Grady achieved his goal of using nature writing to become the northern equal to McPhee? His thinking certainly places him close, even if his stylistic abilities fall slightly short. And it's Grady's knowledge of and depiction of the issues that make this book valuable. If he's fallen short, it's not for want of trying or talent. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]