Reviews (4)

An invaluable book on Fair Isle and Shetland knitting
This book is a classic. Ms. Feitelson starts off by laying out the history of Fair Isle knitting and progresses to technique and color theory. The patterns that she provided are beautiful in terms of fit and silhouette, not to mention color choices and pattern designs. I have knitted a few Fair Isle articles and I wish I had bought this book first before knitting my caps and socks. This book is a must-have for anybody wishing to embark on the wonderful journey of Fair Isle and Shetland knitting.

Fad or classic resurgent
At this time it looks as though the art of Fair Isle is making a huge comeback.Books that are out of print are selling for ten times the original price. Old magazines are being sought in every nook and cranny. Newer yarns are now colored to automatically create Fair Isle color patterns.
formidable exposition of knitting lore
When, as a naive young knitting-ingenue, I bought this book, I did not realize what a veritable corncopia of woollen joys awaited my delectation. Having opened that Pandora's Box, I now find myself unable to concentrateon my daily life. I eat, drink, breathe, and sleep, Fair Isle knittingpatterns. Ah, Ann Feitelson, see what thou hast done to me! Thou hastverily unwoven the weft of my wool. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fair Isle    4. History    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Knitting    7. Needlework - Knitting    8. Patterns    9. Scotland    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Editorial Review

"I am a Scotsman," Sir Walter Scott famously wrote, "therefore I had tofight my way into the world." So did any number of his compatriots over a periodof just a few centuries, leaving their native country and traveling to everycontinent, carving out livelihoods and bringing ideas of freedom, self-reliance,moral discipline, and technological mastery with them, among other keyassumptions of what historian Arthur Herman calls the "Scottish mentality."Read more

Reviews (66)

Capturing Human Nature & Defining Good Policies for Government
It was nice to re-learn the old adage to "not judge a book by its cover". I had been reluctant to read the book by the title alone and what a missed pleasure and educational experience that would have been. As some other reviewers have noted, the title is not entirely indicative of the topics explored. The wealth of knowledge of the new discoveries of human nature, good government, and historical shifts due to the 'changes in the means of production' (i.e. capitalism) abound from Lord Kames to Adam Smith during the Scottish Enlightenment. Also, if one is interested in the genesis of North America and other Democracies, one should not bypass this book.
Informative, readable, entertaining and surprisingly balanced despite the title
I am partially of Scottish descent, have the fortune of having a Scottish surname, and I get to wear the best looking kilt at the highland games every year. I even have my clan crest tattooed on my arm and mess around with my bagpipe chanters once in awhile. A friend of mine of German descent, knowing that I enjoyed my ethnicity so, bought this book for me for my birthday last year.
Great Discussion Book for Book Clubs
More about the Scots than most would ever want to know...Jewels of wisdom and insight, many in number, are contained herein, but finding them, at times, can be a difficult read...at other times, a thoroughly delighful read.One wonders if the author is not "reaching" at times, but the provocative thoughts make great discussion topics....This is an excellent book for book clubs, especially men's book clubs, evoking many different views and reactions on a number of important and timely topics.Just how much does the Modern World owe the Scots?More than you might think. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Civilization, Modern    3. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. National characteristics, Scottish    8. Scots    9. Scottish influences    10. History / Civilization    11. World history   

Reviews (6)

An historic perspective (by a non-mason)
Prof. Stevenson, a non-mason, has stumbled upon freemasonry while specialising in the history of the Scottish covenanters. He adds academic structure and his formidable historic knowledge to the unwritten part of Scottish masonry, - an oral tradition of memorized texts and a rich variety of lodge rituals, -way before George I's (a Hanoverian who spoke no English) attempt in 1717 to create a system of control by establishing the Grand Lodge of England. Mr. Stevenson may be forgiven for not understanding masonic imagery, however he has given us a well presented insight into Scottish masonry. His impressive work sets new standards in masonic history, based on verifiable and reproducable evidence rather than on wishful thinking. A highly recommendable book.

Half the story, and well done!
This well-researched and (necessarily) somewhat-speculative work covers the sustainment of Freemasonry in Scotland in the time just before Masonry went public in 1717. The title is less accurate than the subtitle, however, for it creates more questions than it answers. For convincing speculation on the actual origins of Freemasonry (and one that fits well before this book if one will take William Schaw as patron and not creator of the Craft), read "Born in Blood" by John J. Robinson.

At Last! Some Factual Pre-1717 Masonic History!
The question of Freemasonry's origins and history prior to the establishment of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717 is such a morass of speculation, supposition, and wishful thinking that professional historians- Stevenson included - feel the need to justify their researches in thissubject lest they be tainted by its disrepute among their fellows. Againstsuch a background this book really stands out. Stevenson bases his researchon actual records of almost a hundred Scottish Masonic lodges that datefrom the 1600's, along with municipal records, other guilds' records,diaries, and royal statutes.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. Freemasonry    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Western Europe - General    7. Freemasonry & secret societies    8. Freemasonry - Scotland - History    9. History / Great Britain    10. History of ideas, intellectual history    11. Western Continental Europe    12. c 1700 to c 1800    13. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Another Genealogy Gem
George Fraser Black, Ph.D., compiled this listing of Scottish surnames from public and other records of Scotland throughout the centuries.An impressive and detailed bibliography lists his sources.The listing includes all the variations of spelling for each name, the date when it appeared and the location, and some insights or explanation, where appropriate.The 838 page volume includes a Glossary of Obsolete or Uncommon Scots Words. This is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in Scottish genealogy. It can quickly aid the person who is unsure whether his or her ancestry is Irish or Scottish.I highly recommend this book and am proud to have it in my library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Etymology    2. History / Europe / Western    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Reference    5. Reference / Genealogy    6. Europe - Western    7. Genealogy    8. History    9. Names, Personal    10. Scotland   

Reviews (1)

One of the great cultural movements in the world
The editor Alexander Broadie is Professor of Logic and Rhetoric at Glasgow University- a chair once occupied by Adam Smith author of "Wealth of Nations".This book, "The Scottish Enlightenment", written for the general reader, is a great treatise on a most astonishing period of Scottish history during the 18th century.Broadie writes; "that what gave the Scottish Enlightenment its character as a distinct historical movement was the complex set of relations with a group of geniuses and other immensely creative people living in each others intellectual pockets.Broadie and his colleagues write about the leading Scottish luminaries in the fields of science, philosophy, history, economics, and the arts.The ideas of Hume, Smith, Reid, Ferguson, Hutcheson, Kames, Turnbull, and others had an immense influence on the great thinkers of Europe as well as our founding fathers here in America.
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Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    3. Enlightenment    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. History & Surveys - General    6. Intellectual life    7. Literary Criticism    8. Philosophy    9. Philosophy, Scottish    10. Questions & Answers    11. Scotland    12. British & Irish history: c 1700 to c 1900    13. History of ideas, intellectual history    14. Philosophy / History, Criticism, Surveys   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

You will become the Teller of the Tale...
Jack Vettriano is a unique observer of the Human Condition.Vettriano's work gives you a picture that tells YOU it's story, it's subtleties lie in your imagination, and when you describe the picture to someone you can't help but become the Storyteller. His use of light, shade and shadow may draw you into a corner of a Pub or Cafe, or onto a sun filled Beach where in either place you may find sadness or joy. Women are frequently the Conquerors and Men their willing subjects. And sometimes they are just mutual partners in enjoying themselves. You canfeel their ebb and flow like the tides of the Ocean. Enjoy Vettriano's work like a fine Cigar, a Good Wine or a Fine Repast: you've worked hard and deserve it!

The Best Justice for Vettriano
This covers a broad range of his work, I'm very pleased with the size and content. There is barely any text in this book, other than titles of his work and short intros to chapters, the images speak for themselves. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Catalogs    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    5. European    6. Individual Artist    7. Techniques - Painting    8. Vettriano, Jack    9. Art / History / European    10. Art styles: c 1960 -    11. Individual artists    12. PAINTERS_SCOTLAND    13. Painting & paintings   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Medieval    6. Scotland - History    7. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    8. Scotland   

Reviews (14)

The birth and assimilation of a people
Book contents: foreword - 2pp, table of contents - 4 pp, text -344pp (including 5 maps), timeline of Scotland - 3pp, notes -16pp, bibliography - 19pp, and index - 5 pp.
Scottish people don't refer to themselves as "Scotch"
Scots, maybe, but usually just plain Scottish. Scotch is a common name for whisky.It amazes me how many people here tell me that they are "Scotch-Irish" - to me it makes them sound like an idiot.
"For They Desired a Better Country"-Hebrews 11:16
This is the first book I've read about the Scotch Irish and seems to be the accepted standard on the subject. Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethnic Studies - General    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. Great Britain - History    4. History - General History    5. Ireland    6. Scotland    7. Scots    8. Scots-Irish    9. Social conditions    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    14. British & Irish history    15. History / United States / General    16. Immigration & emigration    17. Social history    18. USA    19. ethnicity; heritage; national identity; migration to America; regionalism; Scottish; Highland Scots; Lowland Scots; Scotch-Irish   

Reviews (38)

FYI...Biographies should be NON-fiction.
I could go on about this one forever. So i'll keep it short and simple(simple for all of those people who gave this book a good review). This author is completely biased, objectivity being alien, which is a very unwelcomed quality in a biographer. With all the obvious research that went into this book, Antonia Fraser clearly didn't do her homework. Shame, shame!! A "biographer" should know better. I will never buy another "biography" written by this woman.

A wonderful book
Mary Queen of Scots is one of the most enigmatic figures in European history. In this book, Antonia Fraser gives us a detailed history of not only Mary's life, but her emotions and feelings as she's living through the events. And Fraser doesn't seem to be taking sides one way or the other. She doesn't overly praise or overly villify Mary for anything she did or thought.
With cousins like this...
A richly researched book that the history enthusiast will want to read.This book takes much concentration, but I enjoyed contrasting it with Margaret George's fictional account about Mary.Some of the differences are interesting.Whichever you prefer -- this fact-filled work-- or the easier reading fiction, Mary's life was indeed stranger than fiction.She was a fascinating woman, and this book leaves supplies all the detail you'll ever want to know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1542-1587    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Europe - Great Britain - General    7. General    8. Historical - British    9. History    10. Mary Stuart, 1542-1567    11. Mary,    12. Queen of Scots,    13. Queens    14. Scotland    15. Scotland - History    16. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    17. Mary   

Reviews (4)

A Review from Mom
I bought this book at my mother's request.She loved it.I'll be getting it back from her and reading it too.

My heart's in the Highlands -- or is it?
I couldn't put this charming book down.Having a near life-long desire to live in Scotland or Ireland (I know -- they're not the same!), I couldn't resist ordering this book.Ms. Rathbone is a fine writer and evokes her Scottish home in both its glory and its -- well, not tatters, but let's say less happy aspects.I still want to go to Scotland -- but she made me see things a little more realistically than I had before.
the after of jane austen's before
What a suprising treat this book is! Darcy and Elizabeth meet some two centuries later (sure enough, at a wedding), their courtship is literally a picnic, and they proceed to spend the next ten years trying to bring his four-hundred-year-old estate back to its former glory, absent one essential ingredient: money. While Rathbone clearly has other mentors besides Austen -- Henry James, Evelyn Waugh and John McPhee come to mind -- her voice is distinctly her own, often funny, always precise. The perfect book to give to friends who are sick and tired (much as they were 200 years ago) of reading about war.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Historical - British    7. Manors    8. Married people    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Scotland    11. Biography & Autobiography / General    12. Local history   

Reviews (7)

William Wallace
This goes good with the other book that I have on him William Wallace: Guardiian of Scotland.
A Candid Look at a Legend of a Man
This book was a laborious read, as most works of history are. But the information didn't come as a bombardment, it came in morsels amidst a story that the reader wants to know. It is widely believed this is the definitive depiction of Wallace, and it is clear why, it is not solely about the man himself, but about the political climate and the players and the men in power around him.
Over my head...
With someone with little background in medieval history this book was well over my head.It felt as if the author assumed the reader to have a basic background on the subject.I do not and was hoping to build one with this book.Obviously I was wrong. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Europe - Great Britain - General    6. Guerrillas    7. Historical - General    8. Nationalists    9. Revolutionaries    10. Scotland    11. Biography: historical    12. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    13. Wallace, William    14. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Central Scotland    6. History / General    7. Local history   

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Reviews (30)

Ubermonkey says thumbs ....
THE GOOD:The book is interesting but largely because of the target and not so much due to the execution of relaying the story about said target.This was my first step into the life of William Wallace and will admit that I enjoyed it, somewhat.
best possible work with little availiable sources
I have read many reviews, and as a medieval history student people need to realize when writing about the middle ages many sources are not original. This is a great book, that argues from many points of where Wallace may have lived. They are guesses, but based on the best availiable sources. Also writersd need to take into consideration where the accounts came from, and how they were altered in such a way. Of course accounts from an english lord wont be in favor of wallace. What i did liek about the book, is how it is left out about the battle at york, which in the movie got peope excited. #1 sieges almost never worked for opposing armies, also if an opposing army did break through walls were lines with archers and it was rare that anyone would take the castle. #2 It was a small rebel army, nit a trained military, and at this point the whole english army would have been sent north for protection, so i highly doubt wallace would have sacked york, the movie is incorrect as usual. As for the book, the author does the best he can with what is given to him.

brave travesty
As a Wallace aficionado, i looked forward to reading this, but to say i was disappointed was an understatement.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Europe - Great Britain - General    6. General    7. Guerrillas    8. Historical - British    9. History    10. Nationalists    11. Revolutionaries    12. Scotland    13. Sir,    14. Wallace, William,    15. d. 1305    16. Biography: historical    17. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    18. WALLACE, WILLIAM, SIR, 1272-1305    19. Wallace, William    20. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (2)

the fountains of the nile
In fact the is a misconception of the reality of the Nile.
This is a biography
This is an interesting book, with many quotations from the great explorer, including 100 or so pages of his last journal entries (with minimal and helpful editorial comments).Read more

Subjects:  1. 1813-1873    2. Adventurers & Explorers    3. Africa, Central    4. Africa, Southern    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Explorers    10. Historical - General    11. Literary    12. Livingstone, David,    13. Scotland    14. Africa    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. Biography: general    17. Geographical discovery & exploration    18. Livingstone, David   

Reviews (8)

It wasn't a done deal.

Shakespeare didn't have far to go
What a wonderful insight into British and Scottish history.Leanda de Lisle's book is as good as any Masterpiece Theater with the added benefit of true history.
Very Well Written Stuart History
I was always under the impression that, upon the death of Elizabeth and the succession of James VI/I in 1603, Robert Cecil had engineered a relatively quiet and peaceful passage of the Crown.This book is fantastic, it describes how Cecil remained in court favor, how the Catholic faction viewed the new King (with hopes of tolerance not matched by James), Arbella Stuart's attempts at the Crown and the downfall of Sir Walter Raleigh in connection with the "Bye" and the "Main" plots.The passage of the Crown was not, afterall, a quiet affair.
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Subjects:  1. 1566-1625    2. Biography    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. Great Britain    5. Great Britain - History - Tudor And Stuart (1485-1714)    6. Historical - British    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. James    11. James I, 1603-1625    12. King of England,    13. Kings and rulers    14. Renaissance    15. Royalty    16. History / Europe / General   

Editorial Review

Jane Dunn’s Read more

Reviews (31)

Jane Dunn should reflect on her own issues before writting another book aboutwomen...
Jane Dunn, Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens - I would not advise any avid Mary Stewart admirers (or feminists) to purchase this book. Jane Dunn in my mind (and from the extensive text I have read) does Mary Stewart a great injustice with her blatant Elizabethan bias. She over looks the obvious motives of Queen Elizabeth for Mary's murder, instead painting Elizabeth as a strong woman in a man's world who had no option but conspire against, imprison and eventually have her cousin put to death.
"This island isn't big enough for the two of us"
First, I would like to review the book itself, and then address some of its critics.
engrossing dual biography
Jane Dane has done an excellent job in this dual Bio of
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Subjects:  1. 1533-1603    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Elizabeth    7. Europe - Great Britain - General    8. Great Britain    9. Historical - British    10. Monarchy And Aristocracy    11. Queen of England,    12. Queens    13. Royalty    14. Scotland    15. Western Europe - History +    16. Women    17. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

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Reviews (1)

Very complete guide to golf in Scotland
I bought this book "on site" in Scotland in 2000. A really great book. I agree with the descriptions of the courses, at least the dozen of the I�ve played. A funny thing is that the chapter about scottish players, the players of the future does NOT include Paul Lawrie, who soon after the book was printed became the first Scot to win the Open for a long time. But despite that, the book is great. You will find all the inspiration you need here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Directories    2. Europe - Gt. Britain/Scotland    3. Golf    4. Golf - General    5. Golf courses    6. Guidebooks    7. History    8. Reference    9. Scotland    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Cultural Region/British Isles    13. Sports & Recreation / Golf    14. Travel/Europe - General   

Reviews (2)

Scotland: wee giant of the British Isles
What is an American reader who is neither a Scot nor a scholar of Scotland likely to know about that country? That there are highlanders who wear kilts and eat haggis. That Shakespeare's Macbeth was once Scotlands's king. That Robert the Bruce learned patience watching a spider weave its web. That John Knox brought a dour Calvinism to the Kingdom, at the same time putting the skids under Mary Queen of Scots. That Walter Scott and George Gordon Lord Byron (who had a titled Scottish mother) wove long narrative poems and Scott also wrote IVANHOE and other novels about the past of England and Scotland. Maybe an American reader has also seen movies such as KIDNAPPED, ROB ROY, BRAVEHEART and the TV series THE HIGHLANDER.
Through 80 pages ...
Having been published very recently, this book with many contributors synthesizes the latest scholarship.I have just finished the second chapter, AD 1100-1300.This period of Scotland becoming a nation seems to pivot on the reign of David I (1124-53), although later monarchs' of Scots achievements are detailed too, such as the bringing of the Western Isles into the realm.It is worthwhile reading, but occasionally the author's grammar or an obscure reference is confusing.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    3. Europe - Ireland    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Scotland    8. British & Irish history    9. History / Great Britain    10. History, World | British