The Secret History of Here - by Alistair Moffat (Hardcover)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br><b>A personal investigation into the history that surrounds us, from the historian and award-winning author of <i>The Hidden Ways</i></b><p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p><i>The Secret History of Here </i>is the story of a single place, a farm in the Scottish Borders. The site on which Alistair Moffat's farm now stands has been occupied since pre-historic times. The fields have turned up ancient arrow heads, stone spindles, silver pennies and a stone carved with the rune-like letters of Ogham. Walking this landscape you can feel the presence and see the marks of those who lived here before. <p/>But it is also the story of everywhere. In uncovering the history of one piece of land, Moffat shows how history is all around us, if only we have the eyes to see it. Under our feet, carved into the landscape, in the layout of paths and roads, in the stories we pass down, our history leaves its trace on the land. <p/>Taking the form of a journal of a year, <i>The Secret History of Here </i>is a walk through the centuries as much as the seasons. We hear the echo of battles long since fought, of lives lived quietly or scandalously, of armies, of kings, of the common folk who mostly inhabited this land, and a little of those that live here now.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><b>Praise for <i>The Hidden Ways</i>: </b>Our ancestors walked everywhere, unless they lived by a river or loch and travelled by boat, or were rich enough to keep a horse or pony. So Moffat will walk. He will walk over much of Scotland, following, sometimes struggling to follow, old roads that are now sometimes hard to find. This book is the story of a dozen such walks. This is a splendidly rich book - a treasure-house of information, memories and speculation--ALLAN MASSIE "Scotsman"<br><br><b>Praise for <i>To the Island of Tides</i>: </b>[<i>To the Island of Tides</i>] is often beautifully evocative of places, the past and the landscape . . . compelling and revealing-- "The Times"<br><br><i>The Hidden Ways</i> makes us think about Scotland and its history in a completely different way . . . A truly fascinating read-- "Sunday Mail"<br><br>A fine history of the wild, walkable country-- "Wanderlust"<br><br>A treasure trove of stories-- "The Great Outdoors"<br><br>Extraordinary . . . a triumph . . . This book is an intriguing account of St Cuthbert and his times, a lyrical testimony to the wonder of nature and a beguiling account of the power of place in all lives. But . . . it becomes something more, something sublime in the realm of memoir . . . There is a powerful, natural beauty in Moffat's writing-- "Herald"<br><br>Retracing and walking Scotland's lost paths makes Alistair Moffat reflect upon the country's history in a different sort of way . . . From Perthshire to Ballachulish, Moffat explores the land in a personal, inquisitive way and searches for evidence of the people who helped shape it-- "Outdoor Photography"<br><br>This fascinating and compelling narrative will leave you spellbound and in no time you'll be looking for your hiking boots and waterproofs . . . An absorbing and thought-provoking addition to the literature of Scotland's byways-- "Countryfile"<br><br>This pilgrimage incorporates local lore and biblical references, touching self discovery and a Saint's life. Above all it is a homage to the importance of family and of belonging-- "Wee Review"<br><br>Written with both wisdom and love . . . This is a wonderfully rich and consoling book . . . and it is very good indeed-- "Scotsman"<br><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br><p><b>Alistair Moffat </b>was born in Kelso, Scotland in 1950. He is an award-winning writer, historian and Director of Programmes at Scottish Television, former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and former Rector of the University of St Andrews. He is the founder of Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, and the author of <i>The Hidden Ways: Scotland's Forgotten Roads </i>and <i>To the Island of Tides: A Journey to Lindisfarne</i>. <p/>alistairmoffat.co.uk</p>
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