68SPRING 2012RETAIL ?Spring book selectionsA Time of Tyrants, by Trevor Royle(Birlinn). Historian Royle hasunearthed fresh evidence of the hugescale of Scotland's contribution to theAllies' victory in the Second World War.The result is a work of authority and great readability.Glasgow with a Flourish, by Michael Meighan(Amberley). Lively introduction to characterssuch as pirate radio pioneer Tommy Shields,cookery writer Ella Glaister and publisher WalterBlackie, for whom the Hill House was built.Scottish Sporting Legends, by Robert Philip(Mainstream). A fine celebration of heroic figuresfrom golfer Tommy Armour, who won three majorsdespite being blind in one eye, to Olympic swimmingchamp David Wilkie who, we are told, didn't like swimming.Scotland - Mapping the Nation,by Christopher Fleet, MargaretWilkes and Charles WJ Withers(Birlinn). Anyone intrigued bymaps' uneven progress towardsever-greater accuracy will lovethis - from its plan of a never-builttunnel between Ireland andScotland to its samplers sewn inpursuit of needlework skills andgeographical knowledge.Harris Tweed, From Land to Street,by Lara Platman (Frances Lincoln). Lovely to look at, this deluxe tome'sbeautiful photographs start withsheep and end with catwalk models. New Naturalist Scotland, by PeterFriend (Collins). A detailed study of theprocesses that created our landscape,this is a serious and informative worklaced with superb pictures, maps and graphics. Scotland the Best, by Peter Irvine (Collins). Now in its 11th year,Irvine's one-man pursuit of excellence is a national asset. This timehe directs travellers to yet more unforgettable experiences, some ofthem in newish fields such as glamping. Scotland's Gardens 2012 Guidebook(Scotland's Gardens). A vitalannual publication for gardening fans, this guide directs you to morethan 600 gardens open to visitors -gardens whose admission feeshave raised more than £1 million for charity in three years. The Great Wood, by Jim Crumley (Birlinn). Fascinating and heartfeltlook at Scotland's historic native forest, which the author hopes willone day flourish again.Nothing to See Here, by Anne Ward (Pocket Mountains). A lovely, tinytreasure trove of Scottish sights that deserve to show up on more people'sradars, such as the art deco India of Inchinnan building in Renfrewshire and sculptor Ian Hamilton Finlay's garden, Little Sparta, in the Pentlands.Scottish Medicine, by Helen Dingwall et al (Birlinn). Scotland's medicalglories are well documented, but this appealing work also shines a light on relatively little-known people such as James McCune Smith, whograduated from Glasgow University in 1837, becoming the first African-American to gain a medical degree. Tam o' Shanter, by Robert Burns, illustrated by Alexander Goudie (Birlinn). Manyhave been inspired by the Bard's masterpiece, and Goudie's hugely appealingpaintings and drawings combine perfectly with the verse to make a glorious gift. lBooks are only available to purchase in selected shops: Crathes, Culloden, Falkland Palace, Glencoe and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

WWW.NTS.ORG.UK69FAVOURITE READAs others see us - personal views on the life and works of Robert Burns (Luath)I use this book every day as a simple introduction to the world of RobertBurns. Insightful photographers Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespiehave produced a collection of thought-provoking pictures ofsome of Scotland's greatest names along with a few other Scotswho have a greater story to tell. To name a few - Peter Capaldi,lawyer Aamer Anwar, Alex Salmond and Ayrshire farmer NeilGillon. The book works so simply. You flick through its pages untilyou stop at one of the pictures - someone you recognise,connect with, or feel comfortable with - then they take you on ashort journey through their experiences of life and they reflect onwhich lines of Burns have come to mind at that time.One story I am drawn back to is that of entrepreneur Jim McColl: "My whole career I've come across people jostling for positionwithin an organisation, some of whom are just full of their ownself importance." This is a trait that Burns often comments on, most famously in 'To a Louse' - "O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us / To seeoursels as others see us!"Who could say it better than Burns?Chosen by Stuart Cochrane, retail and admissions manager,Robert Burns Birthplace Museum