Posts Tagged ‘reviews’
The ideal book for the fisherman in your life
Reflections on the Loch is a wonderful hardback book, to warm the heart of any trout angler, and a perfect Christmas present. The widely-travelled Orcadian writes with passion, knowledge and experience, and is highly informative yet never dull. Not afraid to tackle issues, he is also very specific, giving tips on how to fish specific…
Read MoreFormer policeman uses his eye to write new novel
Peter Ritchie uses his past experience gained from a career as a senior police officer to write this crime fiction novel with astonishing authenticity and intrigue. The book has such character and charm that it makes the life of crime seem almost appealing, if it weren’t for the violence, illegality and constant paranoia that accompanies…
Read MoreA celebration of Stornoway in poetry
SY Story: A Portrait of Stornoway Harbour is a stunning poetry collection which explores the history of Stornoway from the Mesolithic time to its present-day life as bustling modern habour. Donald S Murray successfully brings to life the town’s triumphs and tragedies, which includes the sinking of the Iolaire and the departure of the Metagama…
Read MoreThe Scottish history of Game of Thrones
Setting out to show that Game of Thrones is rooted in Scottish history, David C Weinczok draws parallels between the history of this country and that of Westeros. This book helps a fantastical world become even more of a reality. It shows how Moat Cailin is inspired by Stirling Castle, and The Wall by Hadrian’s…
Read MoreNovel focuses on issues affecting our former soldiers
R L McKinney’s debut novel follows Sean, a British soldier who has returned from Afghanistan after his best friend, Mitch, in an act of heroism saved his life but lost his own. With Mitch talking to Sean from beyond the grave, Sean begins to question his own sanity and finds the only place he fits…
Read MoreA history of warships built on the River Clyde in photos
Following on from his book on Clydebank Battlecruisers, Ian Johnston has written another using archive photographs showing the ships built by John Brown, a name that is synonymous with shipbuilding on the Clyde. The storied shipyard built some of the finest and most famous ships of the 20th century. Johnston has laid the book out…
Read MoreThe man who saved the army – without holding rank
Sir John Pringle saved the lives of countless soldiers without ever commanding a battalion. This well researched book by a fellow physician tells the story of how his changes to hospital management, discipline and hygiene successfully reduced the numbers of deaths from diseases such as typhus and dysentry amongst the troops. Saving The Army: The…
Read MorePast and present collide in a thriller for teens
Sci-fi meets pre-history in Silver Skin, an epic adventure of a time-traveller, Rab, from the far future, who accidentally ends up in Skara Brae, Orkney during the Neolithic period. Throughout this story aimed at teenagers, Lennon paints a vivd picture of the pre-historic landscape and allows the readers to travel back in time. There is…
Read MoreCelebrating Scotland through some hearty eats
I like this book, despite its deeply dodgy design and layout and despite the fact that much of the photography looks dated. I can look past this because it is a book filled with the wonderful celebrations which take place around Scotland and some great recipes to see you through a year of feasting and…
Read MoreA cracking psychological thriller
In this psychological thriller, Breakers, 17-year-old Tyler is the glue that is holding his family together – just. Living in a deprived Edinburgh tower block, with drug addict mum and little sister, Tyler is coerced into a life of crime by his older half-brother, Barry. In a botched-up job, Barry stabs the wife of a…
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