Scotland Books

Crofts and Crofting by Katherine Stewart is an excellent book which describes what life was, and still is like, living and working on an authentic highland croft. Drawing on her 92 years of experience, Katherine writes with great skill and passion, which makes this a must read book for anyone with an interest in the subject, or just simply an interest in very high quality writing. 5 Stars.

I have not yet completed this little book which I received from a very perceptive friend! There are many kind of crooks from physical disabilities in ourself to circumstances that appear out of no where in our life causing great sorrow. This book beautifully declares the providence and sovereignty of God and shows us how and why we must accept what comes from His Hand, give praise and gratitude and love to a great and holy God for all that enters our life! Many biblical examples are given with the verses which clearly validate this really helpful book! This is a great book for yourself or for a friend who is going through a really difficult time in their life!

I am a huge fan of Tranter and this book was a two day read for me. I never wanted to put it down. I had to keep finding an excuse to keep reading. Crusader is about David de Lindsay, a Lord of small standing who ends up in high places. Catching the eye of the young Prince Alexander shortly before the King's death, David becomes a Pseudo father figure and mentor to the young King Alexander III. Trying to steer clear of the politics and turmoil of the Regents, David falls in love with Alexander's illegitimate sister. Alexander III proves to be a lively child and we see him grow from 8 to his majority and subsequent assumption of the realm at 19. All this through David's eyes and by his guiding hands. David de Lindsay becomes royal cup Bearer, Knight, Chamberlain and ultimately becomes Alexander's Regent and is present in much of the negotiations and trials with Alexander's Father-in-Law, King Henry III of England and the issue of English paramountcy over Scotland. A great story with insight to the early factions and rivalries of government between the Bruce/Durward and Comyn factions. All pre-cursor to the wars of independence and rise of Robert the Bruce to the throne. An easy and action packed book which leaves you looking for the next book.

This book was recommended by a Tour Director in Scotland when I visited the bridge from which James Stewart's body hung until his body fell piece by piece from it's chains. I had always found myself interested in why the Highlanders came down to fight for Bonnie Prince Charlie and where they found their courage. Even though this book takes place in the aftermath of Culloden, James Hunter explained to me the structure, loyalty, and fierceness of the clans through the life of James Stewart. It was insightful in a writing style that I could see within the hearts and minds of these people. The bravery of James Stewart and his senseless murder is a story that was well written, so that I was able to experience life in the times after Culloden. I would recommend this book to anyone who's asks "Why" and "Where did they find their courage". Thank You Ian for guiding me to this book!

I read this book in April of 2002 before going to Scotland for ten days on business and pleasure. Please pardon the lack of detail in this review, since it has been a year. It gave me a good foundation for understanding many aspects of Scottish society and history. I did not want to read a simple tourist reference guide about the attractions of Scotland-I desired to know more about the people and culture. It turned out to be a terrific book was for me.

Author, Jamie Grant, touches uses his "Guide to Customs and Etiquette" to describe history, stereotypes and the nature of the people, "fitting in", doing business, arts & entertainment, food & drink, the outdoors, The Highlands, and Do's and Don't. His humor makes helps to make an already interesting book fresh.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone going to Scotland who wants to get a comprehensive overview of Scotland, especially if it is their first time. I learned a lot from it.

-EH

I bought this book at my husband's request. He is of Scottish descent, and we have visited his cousins in Caithness, Scotland, so this book was of great interest to him. He has enjoyed the book immensely, learning lots of interesting and unusual facts about the country and it's people, and has even started contacting various Scotsmen he knows to check out and verify some of those facts. Most interesting to him was the information about John Ross, and he is now trying to find relatives or descendants of John Ross.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of Scotland...it has been a great read for my husband, quite enjoyable and at times very humorous.
Written in the voice of a Scotsman, the book is eloquent yet succint.

A great look at King David I of Scotland. Very informative and well written. With several older brothers David never expected to be King he spent most of his time before then in the background or riding the coat tails of his sister Edith/Matilda Queen of England before becoming King of Scotland. Even after becoming King he still had to worry about other relatives trying to take the throne with him while trying to establish a archbishop in Scotland instead having to rely on the English on among other things. Its a great book

This is not nearly as nice as another David Robert's book, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, but the images are just as beautiful, even in their reduced size. His work is truly amazing and after traveling in Egypt you really appreciate his vision of the past.

Whether she's the reigning "Queen of Crime" or not (and she probably doesn't care!),
P.D. James is unbeatable with the police procedural. And her latest, "Death in Holy
Orders" is, once again, James par excellence. What scope, what depth, what sheer writing
talent when it comes to a gripping, mesmerizing, no-holds-barred whodunit! James
brushes aside her critics and continues writing in the way she knows best, unassuming and
literate, psychological and breath-taking!

And her main man, Adam Dalgleish is back, along with his trusted assistants, Kate Miskin
and Piers Tarrant, as the superintendent enters ecclesiastical waters in this episode. A
theological student has been found dead on the East Anglian shore, a tragedy ruled
"accidental." However, pressed by the student's father, Dalgleish re-examines the ruling
and James is off to the races in typical (read that "exciting") style. Known as the "dark
poet of Scotland Yard," Dalgleish finds himself, once again, in familiar territory, as he
recalls having visited the College of St. Anselm in his youth; however, momentary nostalgia
aside, he finds more than he could possibly have anticipated. Of course, there is soon
another death and Dalgleish's own "little gray cells" begin working overtime! Indeed, this
may be the more horrifying case he's encountered, as James explores evil as she's never
done before.

Once again, James takes some time to present Dalgleish, the man, as well. Each of the

books in his series provides more and more insight into this incredibly complex policeman.
Dalgleish fans will welcome this, of course. "Death in Holy Orders" is yet another of those
books that find themselves almost impossible to put down. James and Dalgleish--what a
combination, what a read!

Though billed as a Bob Skinner book he is not prominently a part of the story until the last 4th of the book. Again, a well crafted story that keeps your attention. Jardine's prose and style are hard to put down. I recommend this book.