 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in Scotch on the Rocks: The True Story Behind Whisky Galore for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS, the true story of the sinking of The Politician, the ship which spawned Sir Compton MacKenzie’s world famous wartime yarn Whisky Galore, has been re-published by Edinburgh based Luath Press. Author Arthur Swinson’s seminal work was published in 1963 to much critical acclaim but has been out of print for 40 years. Its re-publication has a foreword by the author’s daughter, columnist and writer, Antonia Swinson.
Says publisher MacDougall: "The story of The Politician and its cargo of 22,000 cases of fine malt whisky occupies a unique place in the public consciousness. Arthur Swinson’s work is a long lost gem and we are delighted to be publishing his account especially at a time when the fictionalised story is about to be brought to a new generation of film-goers."
Scotch on the Rocks tells the fascinating story of how the 8,000 ton Politician, with its enormous cargo of nearly a quarter of a million bottles of duty-free whisky, ran aground off the coast of the Hebridean island of Eriskay in 1941. It was enroute to join an Atlantic convoy heading for the West Indies and then up to Canada where it is thought that its precious cargo was to be sold. The true story of 'The Polly' has its own place in Scotland’s social history and Antonia Swinson has put the story in an entirely new context for a self-confident devolved Scotland.
Says publisher MacDougall: "The story of The Politician and its cargo of 22,000 cases of fine malt whisky occupies a unique place in the public consciousness. Arthur Swinson’s work is a long lost gem and we are delighted to be publishing his account especially at a time when the fictionalised story is about to be brought to a new generation of film-goers."
Scotch on the Rocks tells the fascinating story of how the 8,000 ton Politician, with its enormous cargo of nearly a quarter of a million bottles of duty-free whisky, ran aground off the coast of the Hebridean island of Eriskay in 1941. It was enroute to join an Atlantic convoy heading for the West Indies and then up to Canada where it is thought that its precious cargo was to be sold. The true story of 'The Polly' has its own place in Scotland’s social history and Antonia Swinson has put the story in an entirely new context for a self-confident devolved Scotland.
Says MacDougall: "Swinson’s account of what exactly happened is a masterly piece of detective work and is as fresh today as when first written. The story itself has lost none of its ability to fascinate, fuelled by a combination of alcohol and D notices."
One mystery Arthur Swinson couldn’t answer was, why was there so much cash on The Politician, and why was it hidden amongst the whisky? We now know there was almost £90 million pounds (in today’s money) in currency on board. And even today there is speculation as to the intended purpose for this money.
About the Author
Arthur Swinson (1916–1970) was an extraordinarily prolific writer with over 30 books to his credit – many on military history, including the acknowledged classic Kohima – plus over 300 radio and TV and theatre plays and documentaries, including many of the vintage early series of Dr Finlay’s Casebook. He was a splendidly thick-skinned investigative writer, with a wonderfully witty sense of humour.
Antonia Swinson is an award winning journalist, and the author of four books. She writes a bi-weekly column in the Scotsman and for six years wrote a weekly column in the Business section of Scotland on Sunday. An Edinburgh University graduate and former Chairman of the Society of Authors in Scotland, Antonia lives with her family in Edinburgh.
Antonia Swinson is an award winning journalist, and the author of four books. She writes a bi-weekly column in the Scotsman and for six years wrote a weekly column in the Business section of Scotland on Sunday. An Edinburgh University graduate and former Chairman of the Society of Authors in Scotland, Antonia lives with her family in Edinburgh.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
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
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"In the war (the duty on whiskey) was increased several times and in 1941 the price was 16s. per bottle of which 11s. 4d. was tax." - from SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS
In the early morning hours of February 5, 1941, the 8000-ton cargo ship S.S. Politician ran aground in the narrows between the islands of South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Among other things, the ship was carrying 20,000 cases - roughly a quarter million bottles - of Scotch whisky in its number 5 hold.
For over a month, the Politician's owners salvaged what they could from the vessel. Finally, they abandoned to the sea what remained, including the whisky, which was considered not worth the effort. This was what the local island residents, suffering wartime shortages of everything including the national drink, had been waiting for, and they began rescue efforts, a surreptitious activity that brought them into direct conflict with the law and , more specifically, the local (and perhaps overzealous) Customs officer, Charles McColl.
The story of the S.S. Politician served as a basis for the 1947 novel Whisky Galore (Vintage Classics) by Compton Mackenzie, which was itself made into a comedic film in 1949 (Whisky Galore! [DVD] [1949]).
Author Arthur Swinson first heard of the shipwreck in 1943 while serving as an army staff officer in Burma. By 1962, he was a documentary writer in London researching a possible series on Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. One thing led to another and what resulted was SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS, a journalistic investigation of the affair of the S.S. Politician and its now-famous liquid cargo.
To the interested reader, SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS presents as an engaging historical narrative of a peripheral incident during Britain's wartime effort, an interesting travel essay about a remote place, and a social commentary about the effect of a sudden, unexpected windfall on an ordinary populace. Above all, it's the cautionary tale of the ridiculous extremes to which a government will go in the pursuit of revenue under the guise of law - Section 536 of the 1894 Merchant Ship Act forbids the removal of any cargo from a stranded ship - and the measures a wily and aroused citizenry will take to thwart that authority.
Swinson's narrative style is relaxed and appealing. By the end of the story, his sympathies clearly, and perhaps not surprisingly, lie with the islanders. He included in the volume a barely adequate section of black and white photos and a couple of maps.
SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS is a diverting read that's sure to complement a wee dram of Scotland's best savored next to the cozy warmth of a peat fire.
According to the Web, as late as 1989 twenty-four Polly bottles were recovered from the remains of the hulk. Sláinte!
In the early morning hours of February 5, 1941, the 8000-ton cargo ship S.S. Politician ran aground in the narrows between the islands of South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Among other things, the ship was carrying 20,000 cases - roughly a quarter million bottles - of Scotch whisky in its number 5 hold.
For over a month, the Politician's owners salvaged what they could from the vessel. Finally, they abandoned to the sea what remained, including the whisky, which was considered not worth the effort. This was what the local island residents, suffering wartime shortages of everything including the national drink, had been waiting for, and they began rescue efforts, a surreptitious activity that brought them into direct conflict with the law and , more specifically, the local (and perhaps overzealous) Customs officer, Charles McColl.
The story of the S.S. Politician served as a basis for the 1947 novel Whisky Galore (Vintage Classics) by Compton Mackenzie, which was itself made into a comedic film in 1949 (Whisky Galore! [DVD] [1949]).
Author Arthur Swinson first heard of the shipwreck in 1943 while serving as an army staff officer in Burma. By 1962, he was a documentary writer in London researching a possible series on Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. One thing led to another and what resulted was SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS, a journalistic investigation of the affair of the S.S. Politician and its now-famous liquid cargo.
To the interested reader, SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS presents as an engaging historical narrative of a peripheral incident during Britain's wartime effort, an interesting travel essay about a remote place, and a social commentary about the effect of a sudden, unexpected windfall on an ordinary populace. Above all, it's the cautionary tale of the ridiculous extremes to which a government will go in the pursuit of revenue under the guise of law - Section 536 of the 1894 Merchant Ship Act forbids the removal of any cargo from a stranded ship - and the measures a wily and aroused citizenry will take to thwart that authority.
Swinson's narrative style is relaxed and appealing. By the end of the story, his sympathies clearly, and perhaps not surprisingly, lie with the islanders. He included in the volume a barely adequate section of black and white photos and a couple of maps.
SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS is a diverting read that's sure to complement a wee dram of Scotland's best savored next to the cozy warmth of a peat fire.
According to the Web, as late as 1989 twenty-four Polly bottles were recovered from the remains of the hulk. Sláinte!
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bought as a present this book of the story of Whisky Galore arrived very promptly in a bubble pack envelope, and in excellent condition.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
Scotch on the Rocks shows that truth is often funnier than fiction.
8 Sep 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Scotch on the Rocks is a journal of an investigation too understand the anomolies in the real story that was the basis for the book and movie "Whiskey Galore". It is a little slow in the beginning, but it picks up pace later in the investigation. The book is well written and entertaining. I not only recommend it to the interested reader, but I shared it with friends and family.
Scotch on the Rocks: The True Story Behind Whisky Galore
Scotch on the Rocks: The True Story Behind Whisky Galore
A salty yarn of revenuers and Polly bottles
15 Aug 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"In the war (the duty on whiskey) was increased several times and in 1941 the price was 16s. per bottle of which 11s. 4d. was tax." - from SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS
In the early morning hours of February 5, 1941, the 8000-ton cargo ship S.S. Politician ran aground in the narrows between the islands of South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Among other things, the ship was carrying 20,000 cases - roughly a quarter million bottles - of Scotch whisky in its number 5 hold.
For over a month, the Politician's owners salvaged what they could from the vessel. Finally, they abandoned to the sea what remained, including the whisky, which was considered not worth the effort. This was what the local island residents, suffering wartime shortages of everything including the national drink, had been waiting for, and they began rescue efforts, a surreptitious activity that brought them into direct conflict with the law and , more specifically, the local (and perhaps overzealous) Customs officer, Charles McColl.
The story of the S.S. Politician served as a basis for the 1947 novel Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie, which was itself made into a comedic film in 1949 (Whisky Galore).
Author Arthur Swinson first heard of the shipwreck in 1943 while serving as an army staff officer in Burma. By 1962, he was a documentary writer in London researching a possible series on Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. One thing led to another and what resulted was SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS, originally published in 1963, a journalistic investigation of the affair of the S.S. Politician and its now-famous liquid cargo.
To the interested reader, SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS presents as an engaging historical narrative of a peripheral incident during Britain's wartime effort, an interesting travel essay about a remote place, and a social commentary about the effect of a sudden, unexpected windfall on an ordinary populace. Above all, it's the cautionary tale of the ridiculous extremes to which a government will go in the pursuit of revenue under the guise of law - Section 536 of the 1894 Merchant Ship Act forbids the removal of any cargo from a stranded ship - and the measures a wily and aroused citizenry will take to thwart that authority.
Swinson's narrative style is relaxed and appealing. By the end of the story, his sympathies clearly, and perhaps not surprisingly, lie with the islanders. He included in the volume a barely adequate section of black and white photos and a couple of maps.
SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS is a diverting read that's sure to complement a wee dram of Scotland's best savored next to the cozy warmth of a peat fire.
According to the Web, as late as 1989 twenty-four Polly bottles were recovered from the remains of the hulk. Sláinte!
In the early morning hours of February 5, 1941, the 8000-ton cargo ship S.S. Politician ran aground in the narrows between the islands of South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Among other things, the ship was carrying 20,000 cases - roughly a quarter million bottles - of Scotch whisky in its number 5 hold.
For over a month, the Politician's owners salvaged what they could from the vessel. Finally, they abandoned to the sea what remained, including the whisky, which was considered not worth the effort. This was what the local island residents, suffering wartime shortages of everything including the national drink, had been waiting for, and they began rescue efforts, a surreptitious activity that brought them into direct conflict with the law and , more specifically, the local (and perhaps overzealous) Customs officer, Charles McColl.
The story of the S.S. Politician served as a basis for the 1947 novel Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie, which was itself made into a comedic film in 1949 (Whisky Galore).
Author Arthur Swinson first heard of the shipwreck in 1943 while serving as an army staff officer in Burma. By 1962, he was a documentary writer in London researching a possible series on Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. One thing led to another and what resulted was SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS, originally published in 1963, a journalistic investigation of the affair of the S.S. Politician and its now-famous liquid cargo.
To the interested reader, SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS presents as an engaging historical narrative of a peripheral incident during Britain's wartime effort, an interesting travel essay about a remote place, and a social commentary about the effect of a sudden, unexpected windfall on an ordinary populace. Above all, it's the cautionary tale of the ridiculous extremes to which a government will go in the pursuit of revenue under the guise of law - Section 536 of the 1894 Merchant Ship Act forbids the removal of any cargo from a stranded ship - and the measures a wily and aroused citizenry will take to thwart that authority.
Swinson's narrative style is relaxed and appealing. By the end of the story, his sympathies clearly, and perhaps not surprisingly, lie with the islanders. He included in the volume a barely adequate section of black and white photos and a couple of maps.
SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS is a diverting read that's sure to complement a wee dram of Scotland's best savored next to the cozy warmth of a peat fire.
According to the Web, as late as 1989 twenty-four Polly bottles were recovered from the remains of the hulk. Sláinte!
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Ireland
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Scotland
- Books > History > Europe
- Books > History > Maritime History > Shipwrecks
- Books > History > World History
- Books > Reference > Transport > Ships > Ships & Shipwrecks
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.
|
