Scotland Books

The editors, Rick Wolffe, Bob Trebus and Stuart Wolffe have produced their second of a three book series on A.W. Tillinghast. This book, "Reminiscences of the Links" is even richer than the first ("The Course Beautiful") with terrific photographs, revolutionary writing and astonishing admissions. Like Tillie taking a 17 on the closing hole at the Garden City Invitational, the incident regarding Johnny McDermott at Shawnee, or his suggestion that someday Bethpage will rank as one of the great golfing meccas of the world. It may have taken awhile for that prediction to come true but by the time the Open rolls around there will be few who will dispute it. And where else can you find the original routing plan for all the courses and such early photos of play on the Black? Good job, fellas! -- Bob Labbance, Editor for The Golf Collector's Society.

Having restored and modernized more Tillinghast layouts than any of us Rees Jones states in an introductory paragraph "A.W. Tillinghast was pure genius" while Ben Crenshaw in a companion paragraph says "he was an individualist to say the least. American golf was fortunate to have him around in the early stages."

Our profession (golf architecture) is indebted to the editors for their second volume of Tillinghast essays. It is to be followed by a third title within two years entitled GLEANINGS FROM THE WAYSIDE. (I think the first, THE COURSE BEAUTIFUL is still available.)

Frank Hannigan says in the foreword that golf architecture is an art form requiring engineering expertise mixed with 19th century principles of landscape design. Vision is also required in the creation of golf courses as it was in the creations by Olmstead and other 19th century landscape architects.

Somehow Tilly's essays demonstrate this. Reading them and studying the descriptive illustrations one reaches that conclusion.

REMINISCENCES...... IS A WORK WORTHY OF STUDY AND A PLACE IN ALL OUR LIBRARIES AND AS A GIFT TO CLIENTS AND OTHERS. We urge members to obtain it and if still available THE COURSE BEAUTIFUL. This trilogy will live and could influence our profession far into the future, because the three volumes will be studied by all seeking the upward progress of our profession which must be one of the most intriguing ever practiced. As Rees and Ben indicate, Tilly ranks among its most unique practioners.

-- Geoffrey S. Cornish, Historian, American Society of Golf Course Architects

George MacDonald's "Robert Falconer" is perhaps the best of his works that I have ever read. It deals extensively with a boy's search to know God personally while struggling with the concepts about God presented to him by his extremely strict Calvanist grandmother who raises him. It contains some of the best advice on Christian ministry that I have seen in a novel and I recommend this book highly. If you only want an entertaining book this may not be the best one since it is written in the phonetic Scottish accent, which can be difficult to understand. A few times I had to read it aloud in order to comprehend what he was saying. Still, the content is absolutely excellent, the story is entertaining (if you can get around the accent) and I am going to buy this book for my personal library when I can get some money together.

Robert Falconer should, in my opinion, be required reading for all who profess the faith of Christianity. The plot is simple and straightforward in that it does no more than recount the life and times of one man, Robert Falconer. Yet the lessons taught would be well-heeded by all who proclaim the Son of Man as Lord and Savior of their lives.

The story vividly portrays the misery, despair, confusion, hope, and all-consuming search of one small boy as he makes the arduous journey into manhood-a journey that too few seem either willing or able to make. Robert is forced to put away childish things, to submit to a stronger will and greater power than his own. He learns, not from his pious and orthodox grandmother, but from a bitter battle of endurance between God and self that the Father and Creator of all is also the greatest servant of all. He discovers that it is not through ritual and church service, not through hymns and rote prayers, but through service and obedience that one may know God truly. In order to serve God, one must serve his fellow creatures. There is no other way-"faith without works is dead."

This novel is founded upon a search-Robert's search for his Heavenly Father and his earthly father. While the plot line may not contain the action and intrigue desired of many, it is a perfectly realistic account of the battle that ensues when anyone would truly know God. It is the conflict between life and death. In my opinion, there is no greater battle to chronicle.

I invite you, nay beseech you, to walk alongside Robert Falconer as he begins a pilgrimage to Eternity. You will uncover much you may have forgotten of your own struggles, or you may find that your battle has not yet begun. If you can read this book with no pangs of conscience, no convictions of guilt, no mists of doubt, no desire to search your own heart, no compulsion to seek your Father then you are, indeed, to be commended or damned.

Robert L. D. Cooper's book "The Rosslyn Hoax" is perhaps the most important book yet published about Rosslyn Chapel, the Templars, Scotland and the Freemasons. What makes it so important is that he actually has physically investigated the many claims made about the enigmatic little church over the centuries, especially in the last few decades. He has laid his eye on so many artifacts described by others, and tracked them to their likely, provable meanings or sources. And he has traced the origins of so many legendary claims to their originators, instead of parroting the work of other "speculators."

I say it's an important book. I didn't say it will make everyone happy. And the reason why is because he slaughters an entire herd of sacred cattle with his investigations of the many claims of Templar involvement in Freemasonry's formation and the building of Rosslyn. Or to put it another way, if you believe Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry, The Temple and the Lodge, and Rosslyn: Guardian of the Secrets of the Holy Grail to be the truth, Robert Cooper is your blasphemer.

Cooper is the curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland's library and museum, which posseses much original material that other authors have written about, but never actually gone to look at and study in person. Moreover, Cooper takes claims of Templar sites, burial markers and supposed influence and subjects them to the historical record or compares them to provable, authentic Templar sites. Most important of all, he places the origins of the original claims made (often by 17th and 18th century Scottish Masons) into their proper historical and social context, exploring just why Scottish Freemasons might have desired an older, more glorious heritage for their fraternity than those uppity English Masons down in London who were claiming it as their own. Cooper makes an outstanding case for forgeries, Victorian alterations and a lot of wishful thinking.

Certainly there is a place for mythology in this world, and it would be a pretty barren life indeed if we didn't have our share of story tellers who, with a gleam in their eye and a wink to the knowing, began by speaking the words, "Once upon a time..." Freemasonry is no different. Just as long as we understand what is myth and what is history, and the difference between them.

As I said, if you believe the Knights Templars saved the day at Bannockburn, built Rosslyn Chapel, and then morphed into the Freemasons, you should undoubtedly already be collecting logs and kindling for Robert Cooper's pyre. But if you are a seeker of the truth behind this curious and beautiful place, start with The Rosslyn Hoax.

Believe all that stuff about the Knights Templar running off to hide in Scotland? Convinced that there are a bunch of things buried under Rosslyn or that there are all sorts of secret signs carved into the pillars? If so, you should order overnight delivery on this book and read it from cover to cover. When you're done, you'll have either done a 180 degree turn-around OR you'll have to admit to yourself that you're simply intransigent to reality. Robert L. D. Cooper is the curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland's library and museum where much original material written about by other authors is held. What you'll find astonishing is that those many authors who opine so persuasively on items such as the above have never once gone to look at the source material and study it in detail. Cooper, wearing velvet gloves, demolishes books by Lomas, Knight, Wallace-Murphy and many, many more with undisputable facts, buttressed by ancient documents which he can hold each day.

Further, Cooper is a biographer of the Sinclair family and knows his topic from top to bottom. He's not swayed by fanciful theories or the pseudo-history of the past two decades. Rather, he cites specific documents held by the Grand Lodge of Scotland - again and again and again. He footnotes how contrary claims have been made by specific 'Templar fantasy' authors again and again and again. It is to laugh.
If you want to live in a fantasy world, do avoid this book but if you want find out facts, you'll love it. It's not easy reading: dealing with the many claims that have gained so much sway is not an easy task and the footnotes are copious. You'll be rewarded, though, with a factual understanding which will enable you to laugh when friends, neighbors, and fellow Masons decide to 'educate you' on the Apprentice Pillar or the Battle of Bannockburn's appearance of the Knights Templar. You might even deign to educate them as well. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

A survey of prehistoric and Roman Scottish archaeology, always interesting reading. Intriguing sites are discussed and black and white photographs and pictures illustrate the text quite well. As an introduction to the field (spoken as a neophyte) I recommend it.

Academic in tone and style. Of interest to the tourist who would like to put cairns and duns, henges and Roman forts seen on a visit to Scotland in some sort of context.

One of the best travel book series, with attention to detail, plus numerous color photographs and fine maps. Lots of instructions regarding practical travel matters. (Travel Books Review)

If these delectable guides' plentiful pix don't get you drooling to explore, you need to get your salivary glands checked. The text is also noteworthy. (...)

With wit, the author explores the distinctions between the Highlands and Lowlands, the solidarity of its cities and its castles, and the beauty of the scenery from the wilder north to the gentle, comely, rolling border country and the rugged islands. He explores its traditions, eccentricities, and contradictions: clans, kilts, tartans, and bagpipes; golf, dances, and Highland games as well as education, religion and politics and much much more.

This is a great book, where you can find marvelous Tintin illustrations, and informations about Scotland. If you are a Tintin fan (and like Scotland) you must have it!

Good book and very informative for planning a trip to Scotland (especially for someone who's never been).

I am planning a family trip to visit my parents homeland. Scotland for Dummies has helped me to learn a great deal in a short time. I love the Stickers to highlight the places you want to go. The cheat sheets should prove valuable too.

This was our most used guidebook on a recent trip to Scotland. It is divided into a vast range of categories (including recommended places to stay and/or eat, interesting sights, hikes...) which are numbered and referenced on regional maps. The author also uses a check system to rate what he considers to be the most exceptional and unique. Wherever you might find yourself, you can check the map to see the recommendations for everything in that area (especially useful when you're on the road and looking for a place to eat). Our only complaint is that many items were included in more than one category with slightly different information in each listing - which results in numerous numbers for the same item on the maps. In spite of a few typos, we highly recommend this savvy and informative guide.

We have used this guide extensively in our many visits to Scotland. It's a little confusing to get the organizational structure but once you get it, it's a great guidebook. Much more info than any regular guidebook. And 95% of the time the descriptions and recommedations are right on. I won't go to Scotland without it.

This is a very well produced book on Scotlands great lost estates. The text is highly informative and the images are fanstastic. It is so disgraceful that so many of these great houses were so underappreciated, they were torn down like dilapidated public housing: it's tragic. The great Robert Adam house Bardelie was the worst lose, how anyone could tear down this masterpiece is unfathonable. The book is a joy to peruse, but you can't help but have a touch of meloncholy for the ease at which the philitines pulled so many of these great houses down. Be assured, you'll never see the likes of these houses again.

As a fan of Scottish country houses I found this book to be very interesting reading. There are many particularly fine photographs detailing the history of these fine buildings which unfortunately became victims of changing times.

Purser's large volume offers a broad overview of Scotland's music, from far off pre-history to modern times. Unlike many more specialized works, he incorporates a wide variety of sources and covers Highland as well as Lowland traditions with proper weight and attention given to Gaelic, Latin, Scots, Norse and Welsh. There are many useful illustrations and a detailed bibliography, making it very useful to the researcher. This is a great place to start to understand a rich and diverse history of music of all sorts in Scotland.

Anyone who is doing any kind of reading or research on either traditional or classical music from Scotland should be familiar with this book. Purser outlines how the traditional and classical are related up to present times. He not only gives information on the composers, but also on the performing artists. Interested persons should also explore his radio program on BBC. The book is laid out that it could be read cover to cover or as a resource for looking up information on a specific topic.