Just Go Down to the Road

Just Go Down to the Road—A Memoir of Trouble and Travel

A boy who stole books ended up sharing a cabin with the founder of Fleetwood Mac and befriending James Baldwin.

About the Ebook

'A memoir which is also a work of art' – Allan Massie, The Scotsman The story begins with Campbell, aged 14, in a police cell in Glasgow. He's been charged with stealing books – five Mickey Spillane novels and a copy of Peyton Place. At 15, he became an apprentice printer, but gave that up in order to 'go on the road', fulfilling the only ambition he ever had while a pupil at King's Park Secondary School in Glasgow – to be what RLS called 'a bit of a vagabond'. On his hitchhiking journeys through Asia and North Africa, an interest in music, reading and writing grew.

Campbell also took a keen interest in learning from interesting people. In 1972 he worked on a kibbutz, living in the neighbouring cabin to Peter Green, the founder and lead guitarist of Fleetwood Mac, with whom he formed a two-man musical combo. At the same time, he was part of a group of aspiring writers in Glasgow, including Tom Leonard. His literary heroes of the time were Alexander Trocchi and John Fowles: Campbell tracked them down to their homes and wrote extensively about both. The stories Campbell are recounted in this book.

A crowning moment of his life was forming a friendship with the American writer James Baldwin. Campbell visited him more than once at his home in the South of France, and persuaded him to come to Edinburgh for the Book Festival in 1985. Campbell later wrote the acclaimed biography of Baldwin, Talking at the Gates.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• A vivid memoir from one of literary journalism's most distinguished figures
• Hitchhiking through Asia and North Africa, a love of music, writing and extraordinary people
• Includes the remarkable story of bringing James Baldwin to the Edinburgh Book Festival
• Read another celebrated title from Polygon - an imprint of Birlinn Ltd

Reviews

'A memoir which is also a work of art.' Allan Massie, The Scotsman

About the Author

James Campbell was born in Glasgow in 1951. Between 1978 and 1982 he was editor of The New Edinburgh Review. He is the author of Invisible Country: A Journey Through Scotland and Gate Fever: Voices from a Prison. He lives in London and was a regular contributor to the Times Literary Supplement. His critically acclaimed biography of James Baldwin, Talking at the Gates, was published by Polygon in February 2021.

Publication Details

Publisher: Polygon (an imprint of Birlinn Ltd)

Publication Date: 01 July 2021

Print Length: 256 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788852821

Format: Ebook

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