Book Description
Though the catalyst for much of his poetry, Robert Burns' sex life is usually denied, ignored, or glossed over.Here Hugh Douglas examines the extravagance that shaped Burns' life and poetry, tracing the poet's relationships with women - from his mother to his mistress to his wife. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Burns is pleased from his place in history for Mr. Douglas' biography of him!
To say the least, THE TINDER HEART is the best biography of Robert Burns ever written. I have each page tagged with "Post-It's" in order NOT to turn down the corner of a single page. I have written; however, in every available space. This book covers the essence of whom and what Robert Burns was. Hugh Douglas took the years of Burns life, broke them down into the different periods of life as to where he lived, and explained each in great detail. Timelines, to me, are of great importance. Within this portrait of Burns, the "Clarinda/Jean Armour" time period is significant. "Ae Fond Farewell" has an entire new meaning to me. One needs to read THE TINDER HEART in order to understand my comment. This is only one instance where Mr. Douglas taught me more than I would have learned from anyone else!

Not only did he do this but he also quoted from other Burns biographies. The full spectrum is awesome! I looked at some of the other authors' books but none can compare to the great writing ability of Mr. Douglas. He kept me reading from page to page without want to put this book down!

I'm sure the fact that Hugh Douglas also hails from Aryshire has a lot to do with the brilliance behind his writing this particular biography. One of my wishes in life is to meet this writer of impeccable ability and talent to make one understand the true personality of the "ploughman poet." I have gone from a beginner in knowledge of Robert Burns to an American of Scot heritage that is proud of the fact that because of THE TINDER HEART, she knows much more about the National Bard (N with a capital N, and B with a capital B) of Scotland. Many of Burns escapades aren't boasted nor toasted on Burns Night. Mr. Douglas brought to life a real man whose realism got him into trouble a lot of times but who still wrote magnificent poetry. Robert Burns was passionate not only about his women but also his children, family and friends.

If I were to choose one biography out of the lot written about Robert Burns then THE TINDER HEART by Hugh Douglas is the one to purchase! You need NOT spend your money elsewhere!

Cheers! Janet "the Other Scot"
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Book Description
see subtitle ... Read more

Book Description
The annual Burns Supper, held on or around his birthday, January 25, has become something of a cult in virtually every country in the world where `Scottish' is spoken - and even where it is not. This is an occasion when people gather around a dinner table to give tribute to a Scottish poet who died more than two hundred years ago. It really is an extraordinary phenomenon.

Thus begins John Cairney's latest work focusing on Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns. To be asked to deliver the `Immortal Memory', the chief toast and centrepiece of the traditional Burns Supper, is recognised as a privilege cherished by Burns enthusiasts the world over. Immortal Memories is an extensive collection of these toasts, spanning two hundred years from the first Burns Supper in Alloway in 1801 to the Millennium Burns Suppers of 2001.

For over thirty years Cairney has been recognised as the embodiment of Burns thanks to his portrayal of the poet in the 1968 Scottish TV production Burns. He has delivered toasts `To the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns' or performed his Burns one-man-show in almost every country in the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must read for Burns lovers
R=This book is a comprehensive review of that ancient and lasting annaul geathering : the Burns Supper. The centerpiece of the event is the toast to the poet himself, known as the Immortal Memory. The speech takes the form of aspecial tribute and commentary as to why this 18th century poet farmer from an obscure corner of the globe remains so popular and relevant today.
This bookis a superb aid to anyone invited to give this speech, and in fact to anyone who has fallen under the spell of Burns' magic ability to write poetry. ... Read more

Book Description
Follow Scotland's bard: the Burns trail provides a splendid introduction to Burns and a new challenge to Burns fanatics. John Cairney visits more than 100 places connected with Burns. He has been described as a living embodiment of Burns and has written and performed Burns for stage, radio, film, television, and festivals around the world. His use of Burns' own poems and correspondence helps to set the scene and the mood of Burns' travels as well as his own.
-- Includes Burn's poems and correspondence
-- Detailed maps and comprehensive map references. ... Read more

Book Description
These essays set out to provide new literary light on Robert Burns. The authors include: Iain Crichton Smith on Burn's lyrical poetry; John C. Weston on the satires; Scott Wilson on the epistles; Caterina Ericson-Roos on the songs; Kenneth Simpson on the letters; David Muirison on the language; Ronald Jack on his use of bawdy; and Andrew Noble on his relationship to English Romanticism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very good research, poor writing
The author performed an incredible amount of extensive research using primary sources.In _Dirt and Deity_ he also dispels many of the legends associated with Burns in the past.However, the book suffers a major shortcoming: the book is written like a stream of events, many of them unrelated, rather than in coherent phases.There are chapters, of course, but McIntyre does not summarize or "re-cap" each one (or any of them, really).This leads to confusion and a lack of coherence in the reader's mind.

Burns without apologies
An excellent biography of the great Scottish poet and songwriter. It sits proudly on my bookshelf next to the Burns biography by Mackay. Much blather has been written about Burns, of course, and in a crowded field, I think these two books stand out. A worthwhile purchase. ... Read more

Book Description
A sprightly account of the great poet's life and work, interesting and informative. Includes good source material.

THIS TITLE IS CITED AND RECOMMENDED BY:Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature. ... Read more

Book Description
A lively interpretation of Burns, his poems, and the 18th century Scotland where he lived. ILLUS.

THIS TITLE IS CITED AND RECOMMENDED BY:Books for College Libraries. ... Read more

Book Description
Burns's first collection, chiefly in the Scottish dialect,won him immediate popular acclaim; he remains Scotland's greatest lyricpoet. For this edition, published to commemorate the bicentenary of hisdeath in 1796, two poems have been added: "Holy Willie's Prayer,"previously omitted for fear of libel, and the earthy comedy "Tamo'Shanter." ... Read more