- Paperback: 144 pages
- Publisher: Pesda Press (13 Sep 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1906095086
- ISBN-13: 978-1906095086
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 19.8 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 614,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
This book is a celebration of the life and adventures of Andy Jackson, Scottish kayaking legend. In December 2004 the kayaking community was stunned by the premature death of Andy Jackson. "Tall Stories" collates accounts and photos of the tall man's adventurous life. As we follow him around the world, Andy's gregarious good humour comes across at every turn. From his native Scotland to Nepal, New Zealand and North America on his 'World Tour' and on to Iceland and Chile, Andy made a friend of everyone he met.Every first weekend in September, kayakers from around the world gather at the Wet West Paddlefest to celebrate his life and paddle two of his favourite rivers. Andy will remain an inspiration for generations to come.Ron Cameron first encountered Andy Jackson in Tain, Easter Ross when Andy was 19 and he was 43 and kayaked, skied and climbed with him regularly until the time of his death, suffering no significant injuries as a result. He was stupid/smart enough to rent Andy a house for about six years. Sometimes he thinks he should have stuck to climbing but paddling and skiing with Andy was a life enhancing experience.
About the Author
Age: Classified secret (61).Race: Native Lochaber person.Education: Highly resistant to (prefers not to talk too much about that).Occupation: Crofter (although he seems to remember teaching history at one time. Taught African history to Africans in Kenya 1971-76).Recreation: His early adult life was mainly devoted to climbing hills (best climb West Face of Mt Kenya with John Temple, 7th ascent). He has done all the Munros and a variety of other silly things. His first kayaking experience was about 1970 but he didn't continue in Kenya (crocs and hippos plus too many hills to climb). Started paddling again in Kelso c1979. Best river, the Affric with AJ and Bridget c1995.Started skiing in 1985 (aged 37) with intent to ski tour. Best hills: West Face of Aonach Mor with AJ, Toubkal (Morocco), Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and the Gran Paradiso.Ron first encountered Andy Jackson in Tain, Easter Ross when Andy was 19 and he was 43 and kayaked, skied and climbed with him regularly until the time of his death, suffering no significant injuries as a result. He was stupid/smart enough to rent Andy a house for about six years. Sometimes he thinks he should have stuck to climbing but paddling and skiing with Andy was a life enhancing experience.Writing and broadcasting: Ron has written an number of School history books and magazine articles (in both Gaelic and English) on a weird variety of topics. He has appeared on quite a lot of Gaelic Radio and TV slots.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
TALL STORIES-ANDY JACKSON A BIOGRAPHY
Many have said he was a pioneer of paddle sport but Ronald Cameron has managed to show that Andy Jackson was much more than a tall Scottish kayaker with a thirst for river running. The book will appeal to all those that have heard of Andy and all adventure seekers who haven`t. It is not just kayakers who will devourer the book! I just could not put the book down.
The book shows that Andy was a true legend in the genuine sense of the term, without boundaries or limits. It is a credit to Ronald that he has made the book both rich in content and readable in wording. Using dialogue with friends and family the chapters allow the reader into a private world whose stories and comment resonate with compassion, love and life. Words cannot express the feelings emerging in the last chapter. Bridget, without a dry eye in the house, all the thanks go to you . All who read this book will close it knowing that life will never be the same. With open eyes personal goals will be refreshed, knowing that others have more than the clichéd `fire in the belly`.
d
Many have said he was a pioneer of paddle sport but Ronald Cameron has managed to show that Andy Jackson was much more than a tall Scottish kayaker with a thirst for river running. The book will appeal to all those that have heard of Andy and all adventure seekers who haven`t. It is not just kayakers who will devourer the book! I just could not put the book down.
The book shows that Andy was a true legend in the genuine sense of the term, without boundaries or limits. It is a credit to Ronald that he has made the book both rich in content and readable in wording. Using dialogue with friends and family the chapters allow the reader into a private world whose stories and comment resonate with compassion, love and life. Words cannot express the feelings emerging in the last chapter. Bridget, without a dry eye in the house, all the thanks go to you . All who read this book will close it knowing that life will never be the same. With open eyes personal goals will be refreshed, knowing that others have more than the clichéd `fire in the belly`.
d
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great stories from an inspirational character sadly no longer with us, very nicely written, an enjoyable read whether you knew him or not, and whether you kayak or not.
I first got to know of this book, when I saw it on a bookshelf in Ronald Cameron's holiday cottage in Banavie in north-west Scotland. At first sight, it looked like a good book about an adventure sports enthusiast; and it seemed like a decent way to pass the dark evenings in what is increasingly seen as Scotland's premier adventure sports centres (Fort William).
A few pages into the book you quickly become gripped reading about the too short life of the very tall Andy Jackson (AJ). AJ started out as a normal kid, doing the normal things that most boys would do (building dens, having fun and trying any and every new sport). Ronald Cameron skilfully selects, sources and writes a variety of articles about AJ to tell the story of his remarkable life and how he developed into a world-class kayaker, legendary Scottish adventurer and inspirational friend. There were many times as I read through the book; that I just had to read passages and quotations by or about AJ to my family; and they all agreed that he must have been a great guy to have spent time with and be inspired by.
There is huge sadness towards the end of the book as it becomes obvious that AJ has poor health. Even now, several years after his untimely death; it is obvious that AJ is greatly missed by many of the people who were close to him.
Importantly though, this book is not just for the friends who knew him through the kayak/canoe scene, but for all the others who met him and for the very many other people who wished they had. No-one should need a kick up the rear end to do something with their lives, but this book should help inspire any-one to think about what they want to do, set some goals and just damn well get out there are do their thing. If this excellent biography of Andy Jackson proves anything it is that we only have relatively little time to do the adventurous things in our lives.
It is an excellent book about a highly inspiring man. It should be compulsory reading for any-one who is not yet blessed with the word "adventurer" in their blood.
Simon Flory
A few pages into the book you quickly become gripped reading about the too short life of the very tall Andy Jackson (AJ). AJ started out as a normal kid, doing the normal things that most boys would do (building dens, having fun and trying any and every new sport). Ronald Cameron skilfully selects, sources and writes a variety of articles about AJ to tell the story of his remarkable life and how he developed into a world-class kayaker, legendary Scottish adventurer and inspirational friend. There were many times as I read through the book; that I just had to read passages and quotations by or about AJ to my family; and they all agreed that he must have been a great guy to have spent time with and be inspired by.
There is huge sadness towards the end of the book as it becomes obvious that AJ has poor health. Even now, several years after his untimely death; it is obvious that AJ is greatly missed by many of the people who were close to him.
Importantly though, this book is not just for the friends who knew him through the kayak/canoe scene, but for all the others who met him and for the very many other people who wished they had. No-one should need a kick up the rear end to do something with their lives, but this book should help inspire any-one to think about what they want to do, set some goals and just damn well get out there are do their thing. If this excellent biography of Andy Jackson proves anything it is that we only have relatively little time to do the adventurous things in our lives.
It is an excellent book about a highly inspiring man. It should be compulsory reading for any-one who is not yet blessed with the word "adventurer" in their blood.
Simon Flory
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A very well written account of an amazing person
What has really surprised me with this book is how well written it is! I met Andy Jackson just twice, but that was enough to know he was an outstanding character as well as a world... Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2009 by C. P. Hennessy
author's comments
All royalties from "Tall Stories" go to charity. The Andy Jackson Fund for Access and IcFEM, a remarkable Kenyan run organisation doing brilliant development work in Kimilili,... Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2009 by J. R. Cameron
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