In the bicentenary year of the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s first novel Waverley, this is a timely republication of Buchan’s work The Man and the Book, originally published in 1925.

Buchan’s treatment is sympathetic but perceptive, and at points critical. Whilst acknowledging Scott’s weaknesses, the book also touches upon the creative pulse of his great predecessor’s achievement. Interspersed with superb extracts exhibiting Scott’s narrative arts, as a short introduction to and sampling of Scott, John Buchan’s work has never been bettered. To this day, this book remains the ideal advocate and guide to the great Sir Walter Scott.

John Buchan was a Scottish novelist, historian and Unionist politician who served as Governer General of Canada. Born in Perth, he studied classics at the University of Glasgow. He became a prolific author of fiction, poetry and non-fiction, with involvement in over 100 books. His works include  The Thirty-Nine Steps and Greenmantle.

DONALD SMITH is the Director of Scottish International Storytelling Festival at Edinburgh’s Netherbow and a founder of the National Theatre of Scotland. For many years he was responsible for the programme of the Netherbow Theatre, producing, directing, adapting and writing professional theatre and community dramas, as well as a stream of literature and storytelling events. He has published both poetry and prose and is a founding member of Edinburgh’s Guid Crack Club. He also arranges story walks around Arthur’s Seat.