Customer Reviews

Scotland Is Not for the Squeamish

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought Bill Watkins would find it hard to top his first book "A Celtic Childhood" but he's done it! "Scotland Is Not For the Squeamish" is a rip-roaring, 'seat of the pants' adventure that will thrill Scotophiles and armchair travelers alike. His discriptions of Scotland and its hardy people sing out from the page in crackling poetic imagery. History and song blend to fill the reader with salty tales of the high seas and earthy stories of everyday life in pre-oil boom Aberdeen and the magical city of Edinburgh. Though his contorted trail takes him up mountains and down mine shafts, panning gold in the Highlands and fishing for cod in the Arctic, he entertains another ambition; to become a Druid! See how he gets on in this feast of a book. Hurry up and write the next one, Bill. I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

How long has it been since you've read a book that captured you on the first page and didn't release you until the last? If it's been a long time since you have experienced that supreme pleasure, buy a copy of this book and head for a comfortable chair--you won't be moving for a while.

Bill Watkins has an amazing talent for combining poetic storytelling with well-timed humor and a bit of mystery. Whether he's telling about Pete the Poisoner (you have to read the book to find out about him), Adolf Hitler or King James, the reader always finds out something unexpected, and it's all learned on a merry romp through Scotland. The author's adventures alternately terrify and pacify; the people he meets show that he's an equal opportunity friend; and his good-humored spirit is always evident. Anyone who reads this second book of Watkins's trilogy should be prepared to laugh a lot and maybe shed a few tears, but most of all, enjoy an incredibly worthwhile book. One more thing--when you finish the book, hang on to it. You'll probably want to read it again.

This continues Bill Watkins's autobiography through his time at sea, and in the Scotland of the late 60's and ealy seventies.

As well as the humour, you'll love the evocative prose, which with a surprisingly few words summons up as vivid a picture as any I've ever read.

Especially clever is his rendition of the Scots tongue.

His stories of the start of the Celtic music revival, of living "on the broo" in Edinburgh and the start of the "Silly Wizard" folk group will make anyone smile.

This is a great book. I couldnt put it down! - riotously funny in places but very poignant in others. Dont let the title put you off - this is a very memorable book and you will be glad you took the time to read it!

Bill Watkins' second book is at least as good as the first('A Celtic Childhood'), and continues the 'History of Bill' through his young adulthood with great adventure in Scotland('Course, he has to get there first). I rated this book five out of fibe stars only because that is the limit. It's easily a 10!

Bill,
Delighted to purchase Scotland is not for the squeamish. I'm buying a celtic childhood again to give as a gift, what a riot reading this book on the plane,with the headphones on and "Laughing out loud."well, its that sort of funny book

Watkins has only got better. This second of a trilogy has it all.To quote " a smile that would free anyone's soul from gravity. " Read on.

Watkins weaves half a lifetime of experience and centuries of history into a supurb adventure tale. As a good storyteller should, Bill blends anticipation, humor, sadness, fear, triumph, success, self-discovery and fun in a recipe that is easy to enjoy and satisfying long after the last page. The power of the imagery let me come away feeling I had gained some of the same wisdom and insight that Bill did, without having to live though every situation myself!

A real pleasure. I am looking forward to the third chapter of the trilogy.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! After reading his first book, Celtic Childhood, I couldn't put that down, or this one as well. He has a way of telling these stories, that make you laugh out loud... Very interesting reading for a fan of anything Celtic. Lorraine

Contrary to the notion that a sequel is never as good as the original, Bill Watkins has shown that you can improve on a good thing. Scotland is Not for the Squeamish brings the "coming of age" story to new heights. Bill's storytelling expertise transfers to the written word equally as well. I could actually hear the thick Scottish brogue in his dialogue, could feel the water spray on the North Sea, and could see the beauty of Scotland through his eyes; even though I've never been there myself. As is usually the case with a good book, I couldn't put it down, staying up to all hours of the night trying to find out what would happen next. Can't wait for Part 3 to come out! Bravo, Bill!