John Buchan: The Presbyterian Cavalier - Softcover

Lownie, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1909609994 ISBN 13: 9781909609990

Publisher: Thistle Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

Forever associated with the classic thriller The Thirty-Nine Steps, Buchan wrote over a hundred books, including a series of 'shockers' as he called them, children's books and tales of the supernatural. He also wrote biographies and was the author of what many regard as the finest history ever written of the Great War. A man of formidable energy, he had a distinguished career in public life. He ran the Ministry of Information during the First World War, and after eight years as a Conservative MP he ended his career as Lord Tweedsmuir, Governor-General of Canada. In this, the first biography for thirty years, Andrew Lownie has been able to draw on private papers not used before, which have enabled him to paint a compelling picture of Buchan's life, and a panoramic view of British political, social and literary circles during the first half of the twentieth century. 'Admirably readable, this book will be invaluable to those who are now encountering Buchan's work for the first time. Lownie's lucid account of Buchan's life redefines the man as infinitely more complex than he thought he was.' The Sunday Times 'This formidably detailed study is a labour of love by a devoted Buchanite, a nuanced understanding of a figure who, for too long, has been regarded as an extension of his fictional heroes.' The Guardian 'Trumpets should now sound for Buchan; and I will sound one of my own for Andrew Lownie, who has brought this most extraordinary man to life in a way no previous writer has.' The Independent 'This exemplary biography, full of new insights and fresh documents unearthed and published for the first time, makes fascinating reading.' Robert Carver, Scotsman 'Andrew Lownie offers a solid and convincing portrait of a complex man and controls the innumerable aspects of Buchan's life in an exemplary manner.' Times Literary Supplement 'The book's strongest asset is its literary criticism. He is meticulous in exploring Buchan's non-fiction and poetry, as well as his no

About this title

Review:

Admirably readable, this book will be invaluable to those who are now encountering Buchan's work for the first time. Lownie's lucid account of Buchan's life redefines the man as infinitely more complex than we thought he was.

About the Author:

ANDREW LOWNIE was educated at Fettes, Westminster, Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he was Dunster History Prizeman and President of the Union, and at Edinburgh University. He has been a journalist contributing to The Times and The Spectator and has worked in publishing. A past Council Member of the Buchan Society, he has written introductions to several Buchan novels and has edited a collection of Buchan’s poetry.

About this edition

• Publisher: Thistle Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1909609994
• ISBN 13: 9781909609990
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 450