Last week saw many book launches here at Luath Press. Since it was such a busy week, we thought we may as well give you a wee flavour of what happened at all these events!
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, we effectively took over the Blackwell Bookshop at South Bridge in Edinburgh, for two launches!
SCOTLAND: THE GROWING DIVIDE
Tuesday saw the launch of Scotland: The Growing Divide by former First Minister, Henry McLeish. The launch featured a lively debate with Elliott Bulmer, the author of A Model Constitution for Scotland.
Following the launch, Henry McLeish appeared in an interview on STV’s Scotland Tonight, where he discussed his book, the position of the Labour party in Scotland and how he doesn’t believe that Alex Salmond has misled voters over the subject of legal advice over an independent Scotland’s position in the EU.
McLeish’s comments were also mentioned in a variety of news articles, including an article and an opinion piece in the Daily Record and on political blog, Left Foot Forward.
WALKING WITH WILDNESS
Wednesday saw our second day at Blackwell with the launch of Peter Wright’s new book ‘Walking with Wildness: Experiencing the Watershed of Scotland‘, the follow-up to the acclaimed ‘Ribbon of Wildness‘.
Peter Wright commented on his Facebook page for the series: “Brilliant turnout at yesterday evening’s event in Blackwell’s. Over 40 people, friends old and new, and from far and wide. Best wishes had been received from 3 Continents. One pretty content author, I'd say.”
Like Peter’s Page, ‘Friends of the Ribbon of Wildness‘ for all the latest events surrounding the launch of the book. There is also a lot more information on the books, the Watershed of Scotland and the Ribbon of Wildness Trust on the Ribbon of Wildness Website.
BYE BYE B&B
Thursday saw two launches! In the afternoon, Joan Campbell launched her new book ‘Bye Bye B&B‘, the follow-up to the hilarious and critically acclaimed ‘Heads on Pillows‘. The signing was well attended, and made up a part of a week of events held in Waterstones Inverness as a part of their re-launch week following a recent refurbishment.
A special little visitor also made it along, six-week old Alfie, who we think must be one of the youngest people to have ever attended the launch of a Luath book! It may be a while before he will be able to read his copy…
It was great to be a part of the re-launch of Waterstones in Inverness, they have done a great job of the refurbishment (and from what we have heard, they have done similarly throughout the country) – so we definitely recommend a trip to your local branch!
SIR WALTER SCOTT’S IVANHOE
The second launch on Thursday, was that of Professor David Purdie’s controversial abridgement of ‘Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe: Newly Adapted for the Modern Reader‘. The launch was held at Abbotsford House in Melrose, the home of Sir Walter Scott.
The book has received a great deal of attention. Rosemary Goring from The Herald stated that: “Only a purist wishing to keep Scott a minority interest could object to Professor Purdie’s dissected version of Ivanhoe…If Mr Purdie’s exercise introduces a fresh generation to the pleasures of Scott’s rip-roaring and unforgettably evocative tales, and if he piques their interest sufficiently then to seek out the originals, he deserves a small statue of his own in Princes Street.”
Ian Bell, a columnist at The Herald, also wrote a piece discussing the abridgement, and it also appeared as a news piece in the paper. Articles have also appeared in Scotland on Sunday, and throughout the world via Reuters.