Edinburgh: The Autobiography

Edinburgh: The Autobiography

About the Ebook

From one of the earliest mentions of its name in the sixth century to the Covid lockdowns of the twenty-first, this is a magnificent portrait of one of the world's great cities in its many iterations, from 'Edinburgh, the sink of abomination' to the Athens of the North and everything – including the home of the Enlightenment, the Festival City, the Aids Capital of Europe and a Mecca for tourists seeking tartan tat – in between.

As the nation's capital it has been critical to its progress and a witness to epochal events, such the tumultuous reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Reformation, the Forty-Five rebellion, the Disruption of the Church of Scotland and the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament. All of these and more feature. But this is not simply a book about the great and good, the famous and infamous. There is testimony aplenty from ordinary folk who may not have made their mark on history but who have contributed to Edinburgh's ever-expanding tapestry.

There are stories of body snatching and murder, drunkenness and drug-taking, sex and shopping, as well rants against inclement weather and the city council.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Discover from one of the earliest mentions of its name in the sixth century to the Covid lockdowns of the twenty-first, this is a magnificent portrait of one of the world's great cities in its many iterations, from 'Edinburgh, the sink of abomination' to the Athens of the North and everything – including the home of the Enlightenment, the Festival City, the Aids Capital of Europe and a Mecca for tourists seeking tartan tat – in between
• Explore as the nation's capital it has been critical to its progress and a witness to epochal events, such the tumultuous reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Reformation, the Forty-Five rebellion, the Disruption of the Church of Scotland and the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament
• Gain expertise in Athens of the North and Edinburgh Fringe
• Learn from proven expertise and experience

Reviews

• 'A cornucopia of impressions of the city from 600CE to the present day — shrewdly combined, the book not only offers anecdotes by established commentators but also observations from librarians, athletes and musicians' - Times Literary Supplement
• 'A marvellous collection of stories and accounts — fresh and engaging, with delights pretty much every time you turn a page' - Undiscovered Scotland
• 'I've lived in Edinburgh for most of my adult life but Taylor's book told me much I didn't know or had never thought about' - Books from Scotland
• 'If you think you know Edinburgh, think again' - Product Magazine
• 'Every character of the city worth knowing about finds a place — it is immensely enjoyable. In it the city speaks for itself' - Irish Catholic
• 'An insightful, entertaining read that I would wholeheartedly recommend to those whose hearts have been lost to Auld Reekie' - Scottish Field'

About the Author

Alan Taylor has been a journalist for over 30 years. He was deputy editor and managing editor of The Scotsman, and for 15 years was Writer-at-Large for the Sunday Herald. He has contributed to numerous publications, including The Times Literary Supplement, The New Yorker and The Melbourne Age and was co-founder and editor of The Scottish Review of Books. He was editor of the centenary editions of the collected novels of Muriel Spark and has edited several acclaimed anthologies, including The Assassin’s Cloak (2000). He also wrote the bestselling Appointment in Arezzo: A Friendship with Muriel Spark (2017). He also edited Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries (2022).

Publication Details

ISBN (EPUB): 9781788856676
Publication Date: 03 October 2024
Pages: 368
Format: Ebook (EPUB)
Publisher: Birlinn

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