Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Botany    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Botany & plant sciences    5. Local history    6. Scotland   

Reviews (2)

Interesting premise, but poorly written and argued
The research and quotes used throughout this work seem well documented, and the premise seems sound...that James the VI and I was maligned due to the antagonism of court intriguers who were ousted as favorites with hisreign, and who had strong prejudices against the "uncivilizedScots" Anyone with any experience of the literature and sensibilitiesof the times would recognize that the sentimentality and expressions oflove that were purported to be the evidence of James' homosexuality wereabsolutely normal and common speech of the times.However, I object to thehomophobic tone that the writer pursues, as if such accusations were themost evil thing one could say of another, and I find the organization andarguments to be rambling and excessively repetitious. The author could haveused a strong editor with a red pencil. The theme could have been fullydiscussed in an article of magazine length, rather than a $15 book.

Excellent history of James as king, father, and man
While King James has often been accused by both secular and Christian history as a man of ill repute, little has been offered in his defense.However, Unjustly Accused? certainly has defended the honor of this king, central to both politics and religion, in a more than adequate manner.While admitting his flaws, the book also emphasizes his accomplishments as a king, as a father, and as a man. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Biography    3. History   

Reviews (3)

Good for facts on his character
For Kirk and Covenant is an easy book to pick up and get a feel for John Knox--particularly his character.But I have not found the result of reading it to be that I feel that I really know and love the man himself.The book's short chapters (topically arranged) are engaging but paint a choppy picture of his life.Author Douglas Wilson's aim to display his godly character and leadership requires him to continually protect Knox from his critics--the result being an almost perfect picture of him in every chapter.I'll use For Kirk and Covenant as a supplementary reference, but I look forward to reading a more comprehensive chronological biography.

Another 5 Star book from the Leadership Series...
A great reformer written from an honest perspective, well aware of our own culure... another great one for young and old alike!

Very engaging
I have read 3 or 4 biographies of Knox in the past ten years.Stanford Reid's *Trumpter of God* is considered the standard.But Wilson's is by far the most engaging.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Historical - General    7. Knox, John,    8. Reformation    9. Religious    10. Scotland    11. ca. 1514-1572    12. Biography: general    13. Knox, John    14. Protestantism & Protestant Churches   

Reviews (1)

William Wallace:Guardian Of Scotland
I thought that it was a very good book with a lot of good information that I did not have before on him. Would like to read more on him too.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. General    5. Guerrillas    6. History    7. History: American    8. Nationalists    9. Revolutionaries    10. Scotland    11. Sir,    12. Wallace, William,    13. Western Europe - General    14. d. 1305    15. Biography: historical    16. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    17. History / Great Britain   

Reviews (3)

A very well-written history...
This is simply put one of the best places to start an inquiry into Scottish history. History of Scotland
The book is full of history and appears balanced in view but has far too many references to things not documented.For someone who knows nothing about British royalty, Scots history and geography this is not the place tostart. A captivating history of Scotland and its people.
This book is written as more of a story of Scotland than a history.It iswell developed, interesting, captivating and exciting.Probably the finesthistory book I've ever read.Gives an incredible overview of Scotland, andexplains why those Scots who have become expats love their country despiteall of the problems they have had (Highland clearances).For anyone whohas been to Scotland this is a great way to learn so much about thecountry, and their courageous and proud people.I recommend this veryhighly.An enthralling book to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Scotland    7. British & Irish history    8. History / Europe / General   

Features

• Bargain Price

Reviews (1)

An authoritative blend of social history and culture
The Scots have influenced American history from Viking exploration times to modern times, so it's about time they deserve their own focus - and in How The Scots Made America, author Michael Fry provides this in a survey of how Americans of Scottish roots helped shaped the country. Fry is himself Scottish and has been called 'Scotland's most controversial writer': his columns have long focused on Scottish-American history both in America and England, so he's in the perfect position to provide an authoritative blend of social history and culture.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    3. General    4. History    5. History - U.S.    6. History: World    7. Scots    8. Scottish Americans    9. Social History    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. History / General    13. Bargain   

Reviews (1)

No melodrama - at last!
This, at last, is a book that focuses on what MQS actually DID as a queen, and what she didn't do.It measures her against the same stick used to measure other rulers of the same age instead of the usual sturm un drang offered up.She was no marytred saint, yet she was no she demon in velvet skirts.She was charming and lovely, however she was also inadequate. Kind of Queen-Lite, if you will.
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Subjects:  1. 1542-1587    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Europe - Great Britain - General    7. France    8. Great Britain - History - Tudor And Stuart (1485-1714)    9. Historical - British    10. History    11. Mary,    12. Queen of Scots,    13. Queens    14. Royalty    15. Scotland    16. Women    17. Biography: royalty    18. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    19. History / Great Britain    20. Mary    21. c 1500 to c 1600   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. United States - Civil War    3. History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)    4. Local history    5. Maritime history    6. Scotland    7. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Denominations    2. Christianity - Protestanism    3. Church history    4. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    5. History    6. History - General History    7. Protestant churches    8. Protestantism    9. Religion    10. Scotland    11. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    12. Cultural studies    13. History / General    14. Protestantism & Protestant Churches    15. Social history    16. c 1500 to c 1600    17. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (2)

One of the Best Read-Alouds
Scotland's Story is simply wonderful!It's an old classic that's finally available again at a reasonable price.Marshall writes for children, and my K- and 2nd grader have loved these stories, but I've been equally enthralled.She begins with legends of the earliest Scots, and becomes more authoritative as she gains the ground of documented events.Read about Macbeth and Macduff, Malcolm Canmore, the beloved William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, all the Jameses, Mary-Queen of Scots, and on up through their Union to England, the last of the Stewarts (a line birthed with a wonderful tale in the early part of the book), and into the 19th century a bit.The chapters are not especially long, but even so are broken up into short sections for quick, easy read-alouds.We're ordering this book, as renewing it from the library is getting tiresome....and it's one we want to add to our library!

Puts the "story" back into "history"!
This delightful book recounts the history of Scotland in language simple enough for a child to understand and appreciate, yet colourful and detailed enough to provide an accurate and comprehensive treatment of this vast subject.It transports the reader to another world, of mighty rulers, daring knights and heroic princes.It is so riveting that I read it three times in a row when I was seven, and remember it fondly to this day... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 3-4    2. History - Europe    3. Juvenile Nonfiction   

Reviews (5)

Gorgeous photos...
This really is a wonderful book. I've been reading through it in the bookstore and need to pick up my own copy now. It goes into tons of clans' tartans, with a photo swatch of each one. It also has a small history for each clan and it's tartan. It also connects famous people to the clans, such as General Douglas MacArthur. It's not a very in depth book about the clans, but gives a wonderful into to each of them. Nothing very new with this book
This book was a bit of a disappointment because it does not include a lot of standard information I have seen in earlier books on clans and tartans. For instance, there is no listing of septs and other family names that are associated with some of the Highland clans. Furthermore, most people of Scottish heritage are what is referred to as "clanless Scots". But, ALL the clans at least come from a District and it would be nice to have information on the District tartans (and photos). That is also lacking. Yes, there are some nice photos of surrounding landmarks and a color swatch of each of the main highland tartans. Plus a bit of history for each of the 140 clans, but it is basic information available from several other sources.

Caution needed for contact information
Surprised to find a swatch of Barclay hunting tartan used on the back cover, I quickly flipped to the Barclay section.I was pleased to again find Barclay hunting used, rather than the normal yellow Barclay tartan. The write up of the historical information was accurate UNTIL I got to theend which stated that the current chief lives in Essex.Sure enough, whenI checked the address listing, our current secretary in Richmond Virginia'saddress is correct, BUT, the other address is Colchester in Essex.Thishas not been our chief's address for over 10 years.I wonder how theauthor picked one current address and not the other.In addition neitheraddress identifies to whom you would be sending information at the addressgiven.In the midst of a visually appealing and otherwise nice book, thiserror and lack of detail was most disappointing.Carolyn L. Barkley, FSAScot, Genealogist, Clan Barclay International, Ltd. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clans    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    4. Genealogy    5. Highlands    6. Highlands (Scotland)    7. History    8. History: World    9. Reference    10. Scotland    11. Tartans    12. History / Great Britain   

Reviews (8)

Otterly fantastic
I read this book when I was a child, and I really enjoyed it. I've seen the movie version several times since, and just recently decided to re-read the book. I was not disappointed. It starts off kind of rocky, but once the otters enter Maxwell's life, it's pure magic. He's an incredibly good writer with the ability to make you "see" everything he describes.
A Book that Will Become Part of the Dream of Your Heart
Forever after you read A Ring of Bright Water, the beauty, wonder, and humor of this book will gently surface with a ring of bright ripples in the waters of you mind.I am never able to remember this book without simultaneously wanting to laugh and to cry-and always with a sense of awed wonder.This is the true story of Gavin's befriending of otters (or perhaps we should say of the otters' decision to befriend Gavin.)In one scene, on the first night Gavin has one of the otters in his home, the otter carefully watches Gavin get into bed and pull the covers to his chin.The otter then crawls in beside Gavin, lies on its back, and pulls the covers to its own chin.Other scenes describe Gavin's losing efforts to make certain parts of his cottage off limits to otters.Gavin never for the rest of his life produced prose that so translucently coveys the beauty of the waters around his cottage, or the sense of his own evolving life and emotions. Reading this book is giving a gift to yourself. It is one a dozen that I always look for used to give to friends.

Delightful Tale of Otters and More
Gavin Maxwell's Ring of Bright Water is a much-deserved classic.It tells the tale of the author's time on the coast of Scotland devoting the first half to his learning to live in this isolated paradise and the second half, slightly better, to his time consecutively with two otters (as well as other creatures, my favourite being the geese).As anyone who loves animals will know, tears will factor into this tale, but never at the expense of the joy and laughter.They are some very funny bits.It would almost be enough to get me to exhange my cats for otters (almost, but not quite enough).Some of the writing is a litte florid at times, particulary the brief section on killer whales, but, otherwise, this is an astounding and beautiful example of nature writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Essays    3. Maxwell's otter    4. Natural History    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Otters as pets    8. Scotland    9. Adventure / thriller    10. Maxwell, Gavin    11. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. Canada - General    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. British & Irish history    5. Canada    6. Civil rights & citizenship    7. Economic history    8. Ethnic studies    9. Immigration & emigration    10. Scotland    11. Social history    12. c 1700 to c 1800    13. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Scotland    7. Social life and customs   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. English Garden Design And Planting    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. GARDENS_SCOTLAND    7. Gardening / Regional    8. Gardens (descriptions, history etc)    9. SCOTLAND_GUIDEBOOKS    10. Scotland   

Reviews (1)

THE book for the study of the Scottish Wars of Independence
This is the best book for the study of this pivotal period in Scottish History. Barrow is the foremost scholar of the period and this book is a masterpiece. It covers the period from Alexander III's death in 1286 through to the death of Robert the Bruce in 1329, and is both detailed and also very readable. If you only buy one book on the period, this should be it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    3. Historical - British    4. History: World    5. Royalty    6. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    7. History / Great Britain    8. Scotland    9. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (1)

Tree of Life
Unless, you are already familiar with celtic artwork, really familiar, Idefinitely would not recommend this book.This is definitely not forbeginners. Directions are not very detailed.If you can figure out how todo the examples, though, it creates some very beautiful designs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Criticism    4. Decoration and ornament, Celti    5. Decoration and ornament, Celtic    6. Design    7. Design - General    8. Repetitive patterns (Decorativ    9. Repetitive patterns (Decorative arts)    10. Tree of life in art    11. Art techniques & materials    12. Folk art    13. History of art: c 500 CE to c 1400    14. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    15. Ireland    16. Scotland   

Reviews (1)

On wi' the Tartan !
This book follows a well worn pattern but does it well.A small section is devoted to each name, its tartan is illustrated and, in this case, a major advantage is the inclusion of the heraldic drawings of the chief'sarms and in some cases, standards, by the late Don Pottinger, Islay Heraldat the Court of the Lord Lyon. Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    2. Genealogy    3. Heraldry    4. History: World    5. Sociology    6. Family history    7. Scotland    8. Sale Books   

Reviews (4)

alt suggestion
I give this book 5 stars because I have not read it, so must presume it is excellent; its L.A. Times review upon launch caught my eye. The reason for this review then is to mention
comprehensive guide
Scotch Whisky by Charles MacLean is a comprehensive guide about the different single malt and blended Scotch whiskies available. It starts with a short history about Scotch whisky and goes on to the making, the regional differences and how to appreciate this very traditional Scottish drink. This is followed by a listing of all the different single malt whiskies and blended whiskies. Each of them is listed by category, distiller and owner. There is also a description of the history of the whisky as well as tasting notes. This guide to whisky is excellent reading for those interested in whisky from the connoisseur to the enthusiastic amateur. And, of course, this book is always a superb gift which is usually very much appreciated.

Esthery, with Hints of Batter,Peat, and Heather!
An excellent little guide to the making and tasting of Scotch whisky, both single malt (81 pages) and blended (94 pages).After the introductory chapters on the history, making, and appreciation of whisky, brief (2-5 paragraphs) descriptions of each whisky are listed.There is an emphasis on the history of the distillery; this makes it an ideal travel book.The book is part of the "Mitchell-Beazley Pocket Guides," so can be kept easily in a purse or coat pocket (and, yes, the print is legible but quite small).Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. BG-HUMOR/GAMES - BG-HUMOR    5. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    6. History of specific subjects    7. Scotland    8. Spirits & cocktails   

Reviews (5)

Factual and a fun read
Ms Plowden does a great job of keeping to the facts and keeping your attention.A must have for anyone interested in or required to learn about English and European history.

WONDERFUL!
I read this book for a British History class and loved it. Plowden makes the history of the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary come alive with many anecdotes. She describes in such detail the way the two lived and the era that the reader can almost visualize it. Boring summation of two fascinating women and queens
I love both of these women and their place in history, but Plowden's work leaves me cold. This could have been a fascinating, gripping, dynamic fiction tale of love, ambition, politics, history and royalty such as Susan Kay's "Legacy". Despite the alluring title, it's not. Not worth buying. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Great Britain - History - Tudor And Stuart (1485-1714)    6. Historical - British    7. Royalty    8. Biography    9. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    10. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    11. British History    12. England    13. History / General    14. Scotland