Books published by Birlinn General

A mixture of Morgan¿s science fiction poems and concrete poems. There¿s the famous encounter between humans and aliens in `The First Men on Mercury¿, early digital tongue-twisting in `The Computer¿s First Christmas Card¿ and the effects of teleportation in `In Sobieski¿s Shield¿ ¿ on earth or in outer space Morgan explores what it is to be human.

Introduced by Ali Smith, the title of this group of poems about people is taken from Morgan¿s poem `Pelagius¿, the theologian who is a kind of alter ego. Morgan has the ability to enter into so many lives: the blind hunchback of `In the Snack-bar¿, Jesus¿s judge in `Pilate at Fortingall¿, the Polish juggler and acrobat `Cinquevalli¿ (another alter ego), even Rameses II in `The Mummy¿. `Morgan, I said to myself, take note, / Take heart. In a time of confusion / You must make a stand.¿

Introduced by Liz Lochhead, in this selection we journey round Scotland in Canedolia, study its history in Picts, home in on Morgan's own city of Glasgow in Glasgow Sonnet v, imagine the country's future in The Coin.

In this volume Michael Rosen introduces Edwin Morgan¿s animal poems. Morgan¿s empathy with animals is well represented, from the still very topical `The White Rhinoceros¿ to the prehistoric `The Bearsden Shark¿ and the famous `The Loch Ness Monster¿s Song¿. Birds, beasts and fish, real and imaginary, are all here in this selection.

Introduced by Jackie Kay, this selection of poems include the famous Strawberries and One Cigarette and four from Morgan's autobiographical sequence, Love and a Life - love in all its aspects.

A commanding history of the most northern outpost of the Roman Empire.

The Declaration of Arbroath, 6 April, 1320, is one of the most remarkable documents to have been produced anywhere in medieval Europe. Signed by 51 Scottish nobles, it confirms Scotland¿s status as an independent sovereign state with the right to use military action if unjustly attacked.Quoted by many, understood by few, its historical significance has now almost been overtaken by its mythic status. Since 1998, the US Senate has claimed that the American Declaration of Independence is modelled upon `the inspirational document¿ of Arbroath. This is the first book-length study to examine the origins of the Declaration and the ideas upon which it drew, while tracing the rise of its mythic status in Scotland and exploring its impact upon revolutionary America.

The Jacobite army marches into England and Alistair Maclean, close confident of Charles Edward Stewart embarks on a secret mission to raise support for the cause in the west. He soon begins to suspect someone close to the Prince is passing information to the Government, but just as he closes in on the traitor his own life is put in danger. Who is the turncoat and can Maclean save his own life and his Prince?Regarded by many critics as one of the finest historical novels ever written, Midwinter is a classic tale of intrigue, treachery and suspense.With an introduction by Stuart Kelly.This edition is authorised by the John Buchan Society.

Henderson wrote, sang, and agitated for a Scottish socialist republic, for the dissolution of the British empire and its legacies, and for a conception of human value incommensurable with exploitation under late capitalism.

From humble beginnings at Fairlie, Ayrshire, in the early years of the nineteenth century, William Fife and Son grew to become one of Britain's premier yacht-building yards. This memorable story of enterprise and craftsmanship chronicles the development and progress of the Fife yard and its business during its 125-year history.

A guide for anyone intending to hold or attend a Burns Night of any size or ilk, or for those who simply have a keen interest in Burns and the great traditions that have been laid into place in his honour.

An Lasair (The Flame) is a colorful new anthology of over sixty poems from one of the most dynamic periods of Gaelic literature.

Duanaire na Sracaire is the first anthology to bring together Scotland's Gaelic poetry from the millenium c.600-1600 AD, when Scotland shared its rich culture with Ireland.

Almost eighteen years in the making, this collection is a love poem to a rural community in Scotland. The freshness of its language brings the daily grind, its joys and harsh realities, to vivid life; its final elegies form a moving testament to a lost generation of family, friends, farmers and farms.

First published in 1969, An Orkney Tapestry, George Mackay Brown's seminal work, is a unique look at Orkney through the eye of a poet and a celebration of Orkney's people, language and history. Unavailable for many years, this new edition has a specially commissioned Introduction written by Kirsteen McCue and Linden Bicket.

A history of Scotland through the lens of the historically pivotal women. St Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots and Judy Murray all feature.