Homage to Caledonia by Daniel Gray sampler
The Spanish civil war was a call to arms for 2,300 British volunteers, of which over 500 were from Scotland. The first book of its kind, Homage to Caledonia examines Scotland's role in the conflict, detailing exactly why Scottish involvement was so profound. The book moves chronologically through events and places, firstly surveying the landscape in contemporary Scotland before describing volunteers' journeys to Spain, and then tracing their every involvement from arrival to homecoming (or not). There is also an account of the non-combative role, from fundraising for Spain and medical aid, to political manoeuvrings within the volatile Scottish left. Using a wealth of previously-unpublished letters sent back from the front as well as other archival items, Daniel Gray is able to tell little known stories of courage in conflict, and to call into question accepted versions of events such as the 'murder' of Bob Smillie, or the heroism of 'The Scots Scarlet Pimpernel'. Homage to Caledonia offers a very human take on events in Spain: for every tale of abject distress in a time of war, there is a tale of a Scottish volunteer urinating in his general's boots, knocking back a dram with Errol Flynn or appalling Spanish comrades with his pipe playing. For the first time, read the fascinating story of Caledonia's role in this seminal conflict.
The Spanish civil war was a call to arms for 2,300 British volunteers, of which over 500 were from Scotland. The first book of its kind, Homage to Caledonia examines Scotland's role in the conflict, detailing exactly why Scottish involvement was so profound. The book moves chronologically through events and places, firstly surveying the landscape in contemporary Scotland before describing volunteers' journeys to Spain, and then tracing their every involvement from arrival to homecoming (or not). There is also an account of the non-combative role, from fundraising for Spain and medical aid, to political manoeuvrings within the volatile Scottish left. Using a wealth of previously-unpublished letters sent back from the front as well as other archival items, Daniel Gray is able to tell little known stories of courage in conflict, and to call into question accepted versions of events such as the 'murder' of Bob Smillie, or the heroism of 'The Scots Scarlet Pimpernel'. Homage to Caledonia offers a very human take on events in Spain: for every tale of abject distress in a time of war, there is a tale of a Scottish volunteer urinating in his general's boots, knocking back a dram with Errol Flynn or appalling Spanish comrades with his pipe playing. For the first time, read the fascinating story of Caledonia's role in this seminal conflict.
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<strong>Daniel</strong> <strong>Gray</strong> the author of ten books on football, politics,<br />
literature, his<strong>to</strong>ry and travel, <strong>Homage</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Caledonia</strong> being the<br />
second that he wrote. His recent work has included screenwriting<br />
for the BBC, presenting social his<strong>to</strong>ry on television, and writing<br />
across a number of national titles. He is the Edi<strong>to</strong>r of Nutmeg<br />
magazine, and hosts and produces their podcast as well as that<br />
of When Saturday Comes. An Englishman in Scotland, he lives with his wife,<br />
daughter and cat in Leith.<br />
Praise for <strong>Homage</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Caledonia</strong><br />
<strong>Daniel</strong> <strong>Gray</strong> has done a marvellous job in bringing <strong>to</strong>gether the s<strong>to</strong>ries of Scots<br />
volunteers… in [this] many-voiced, multi-layered book. scotland on sunday<br />
[<strong>Gray</strong>] has organised a complex s<strong>to</strong>ry in<strong>to</strong> a well-constructed and compelling<br />
narrative. He can write – his prose is unfussy, fluent and warm. Best of all, he<br />
has squared the circle of producing accurate his<strong>to</strong>ry while retaining a deep respect<br />
for the men and women who people it… moving and thought-provoking.<br />
the herald<br />
Excellent… highly effective. the scots magazine<br />
A new and fascinating contribution. scottish review of books<br />
Excellent… a rigorous, well written and entertaining assessment of Scotland’s<br />
contribution <strong>to</strong> that chapter of European his<strong>to</strong>ry. Jamie Hepburn MSP,<br />
holyrood magazine<br />
Book of the week… <strong>Gray</strong> deserves applause for shining a light on a lesserknown<br />
aspect of the nation’s character of which we should all be proud.<br />
press and journal<br />
A very human his<strong>to</strong>ry of the conflict emerges. scottish field<br />
The latest addition <strong>to</strong> a line of excellent books detailing the efforts of British<br />
men and women in Spain. morning star
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