Alumni Services

August 2015

This month's bookshelf covers both fact and fiction, including a satirical look at American democracy, a new selection of previously uncollected poems and a murder mystery set in St Andrews.

1.

Author Ian Simpson
Degree LLB
Book

Sons of the Fathers

Is one of the world’s top golfers a child-killer? Or is it a camp follower, or a local? Sheriff Hector Drummond’s gardener’s son is murdered so for him it is personal.

It is 1927 and Bobby Jones arrives in St Andrews. He is favourite to retain his Open crown but can he win the hearts of the people of St Andrews? More murders follow, but Hector believes the police have arrested the wrong men. Meanwhile his step-son has a crisis of identity. This well-researched book takes the reader back to St Andrews in 1927. As the Open reaches its climax, Hector’s unconventional investigations come to a tense and violent conclusion.

Sons of the Fathers

2.

Author

Tessa Ransford

Degree Arts MA
Book

A Good Cause

A Good Cause offers a new selection of previously uncollected poems, the ‘good cause’ being ultimately the intrinsic good of poetry itself.

A Good Cause

Scottish Poetry Library Tessa Ransford founder dies (2 September 2015, BBC News)

3.

Author

Andrew Heaton

Degree

MSc International & European Politics

Book

Laughter is Better Than Communism

A political satire collection of funny articles and cartoons about American democracy from a libertarian perspective. Learn about inland whaling laws, Zeppelin subsidies, the effects of lesbianism on cyclones, and economics explained by cavemen and robots.

Laughter is Better Than Communism

4.

Author Jill Colonna 
Degree BMus Music
Book

Teatime in Paris! A walk through easy French patisserie recipes

Get cracking the eggs as Jill Colonna shows you the easiest way to make the Parisians’ favourite afternoon treats: éclairs, tartlets, millefeuilles, and macarons, and guides you to many of Paris's best patisseries and tea salons.

Share in Jill’s enthusiasm and skills learned from the French over her 22 years in Paris to help you master patisserie easily at home. With 50 typical teatime recipes, enjoy tips, stories and a walks section that shows where to taste many of the best pastries in Paris.

Teatime in Paris! A walk through easy French patisserie recipes

5.

Author Iain Macwhirter
Degree MA Politics
Book

Tsunami: Scotland’s Democratic Revolution

Following on from the critically acclaimed Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster Won A Referendum But Lost Scotland, Iain Macwhirter casts his expert eye over the SNP’s victory in the 2015 General Election, which saw Scotland swept by an unprecedented wave of SNP yellow.

One of the UK’s most insightful political writers, Macwhirter examines the factors behind this result including the demise of the Labour party in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP vision and leadership, the growing dissatisfaction with Westminster, and the enduring passion for independence. He also examines emerging divisions in the non-aligned independence movement. Tsunami ends with Macwhirter looking forward to ultimately consider where Scotland, and the UK, must go.

Tsunami: Scotland’s Democratic Revolution

Please note

All of the further information links listed are the external websites of the book publisher, the author, or the bookseller. The University of Edinburgh is not responsible for the content and functionality of these sites.