- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd; New edition edition (23 July 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0750919035
- ISBN-13: 978-0750919036
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 2.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,432,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Thought the catalyst for much of his poetry, Robert Burns' sex life has often been denied, glossed over, even bowdlerized out of recognition. How could a man who revelled so unashamedly in earthy, unending sexual adventures write so tenderly about women and love? How could he father eight illegitimate children, yet conceive that timeless song of faithfulness "John Anderson my Jo"? Was Robert Burns not so much a conspicuous sinner as a man who sinned conspicuously? This volume seeks out the truth about Burns to show a man who was much less secure than his action suggest, one of whom sex was an act of rebellion as well as love. His peasant background was a shaping force in his attitude to women. Though amorous love was the impulse which drove him to verse, his love for his children usually transcended that for their mothers. Burns called himself "an extravagant prodigal of affection" and Hugh Douglas here examines the extravagance which shaped Burns' life and poetry, tracing his relationships with women from a loving apprenticeship at his mother's knee to Jean Armour, his loyal, supportive wife. He also examines Burns' many amorous adventures: Nelly Kilpatrick, his harvest-field partner, who first inspired him to write; Highland Mary Campbell; the enigma of "E"; Peggy Chalmers, who rejected him; Clarinda, who always held back; and Maria Riddell, who came nearest to being his intellectual equal.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was the first of several biographies of the Bard I read. It stands apart from the others partly because it was the first and partly because, unlike so many biographies, I was presented with a warts and all picture of the man.
I loved they way Douglas was able to illustrate the work with the relevant section of Burns' song or poem which gave his insights into Rabbie's behaviour and demeanour a double strength.
More used to reading critques where the quotations are often used to display the intellect of the writer of the piece rather than the subject, I found this approach a refreshing change.
There are now many contemporary biographies available, and with Year of Homecoming there'll be more I'll warrant, but this still has pride of place on my shelf for its readability and understanding.
A caveat: don't just read this one though, the Carswell work is worthy of mention and so is Crawford's, bandwagonesque, The Bard. I am still waiting to read Scott Hogg's take on the wee man's life, which judging by its title may come from left field. (no pun intended).
Don't forget to read the poems, however!!
I loved they way Douglas was able to illustrate the work with the relevant section of Burns' song or poem which gave his insights into Rabbie's behaviour and demeanour a double strength.
More used to reading critques where the quotations are often used to display the intellect of the writer of the piece rather than the subject, I found this approach a refreshing change.
There are now many contemporary biographies available, and with Year of Homecoming there'll be more I'll warrant, but this still has pride of place on my shelf for its readability and understanding.
A caveat: don't just read this one though, the Carswell work is worthy of mention and so is Crawford's, bandwagonesque, The Bard. I am still waiting to read Scott Hogg's take on the wee man's life, which judging by its title may come from left field. (no pun intended).
Don't forget to read the poems, however!!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Burns is pleased from his place in history for Mr. Douglas' biography of him!
29 Mar 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
To say the least, THE TINDER HEART is the best biography of Robert Burns ever written. I have each page tagged with "Post-It's" in order NOT to turn down the corner of a single page. I have written; however, in every available space. This book covers the essence of whom and what Robert Burns was. Hugh Douglas took the years of Burns life, broke them down into the different periods of life as to where he lived, and explained each in great detail. Timelines, to me, are of great importance. Within this portrait of Burns, the "Clarinda/Jean Armour" time period is significant. "Ae Fond Farewell" has an entire new meaning to me. One needs to read THE TINDER HEART in order to understand my comment. This is only one instance where Mr. Douglas taught me more than I would have learned from anyone else!
Not only did he do this but he also quoted from other Burns biographies. The full spectrum is awesome! I looked at some of the other authors' books but none can compare to the great writing ability of Mr. Douglas. He kept me reading from page to page without want to put this book down!
I'm sure the fact that Hugh Douglas also hails from Aryshire has a lot to do with the brilliance behind his writing this particular biography. One of my wishes in life is to meet this writer of impeccable ability and talent to make one understand the true personality of the "ploughman poet." I have gone from a beginner in knowledge of Robert Burns to an American of Scot heritage that is proud of the fact that because of THE TINDER HEART, she knows much more about the National Bard (N with a capital N, and B with a capital B) of Scotland. Many of Burns escapades aren't boasted nor toasted on Burns Night. Mr. Douglas brought to life a real man whose realism got him into trouble a lot of times but who still wrote magnificent poetry. Robert Burns was passionate not only about his women but also his children, family and friends.
If I were to choose one biography out of the lot written about Robert Burns then THE TINDER HEART by Hugh Douglas is the one to purchase! You need NOT spend your money elsewhere!
Cheers! Janet "the Other Scot"
Not only did he do this but he also quoted from other Burns biographies. The full spectrum is awesome! I looked at some of the other authors' books but none can compare to the great writing ability of Mr. Douglas. He kept me reading from page to page without want to put this book down!
I'm sure the fact that Hugh Douglas also hails from Aryshire has a lot to do with the brilliance behind his writing this particular biography. One of my wishes in life is to meet this writer of impeccable ability and talent to make one understand the true personality of the "ploughman poet." I have gone from a beginner in knowledge of Robert Burns to an American of Scot heritage that is proud of the fact that because of THE TINDER HEART, she knows much more about the National Bard (N with a capital N, and B with a capital B) of Scotland. Many of Burns escapades aren't boasted nor toasted on Burns Night. Mr. Douglas brought to life a real man whose realism got him into trouble a lot of times but who still wrote magnificent poetry. Robert Burns was passionate not only about his women but also his children, family and friends.
If I were to choose one biography out of the lot written about Robert Burns then THE TINDER HEART by Hugh Douglas is the one to purchase! You need NOT spend your money elsewhere!
Cheers! Janet "the Other Scot"
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Historical > Britain > Social & Urban History
- Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > Europe
- Books > Biography > Historical > Social & Urban History
- Books > Biography > Medical, Legal & Social Sciences > Philosophy
- Books > Biography > Novelists, Poets & Playwrights > Poets
- Books > Biography > Women
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Scotland
- Books > History > Cultural History
- Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > Poetry > Genres > Love
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Philosophy
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
