but the wait is nearly over!A long time ago in a galaxy far away (if you subscribe to the theory that the past is another country where things are done differenty) a book was being written. The wait has been longer than for Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' and anticipation (among those who know) is now reaching fever pitch... here's the back story... In 1941 Mr James George of Aberdeen wrote to The Gateway Journal as follows: ‘World-Mending is most interesting and informative and of course you will ultimately put it in book form? Please accept my order for a copy now.’ It has taken 75 years for ‘60 Years of World-Mending’ to reach publication but on May 2nd it will finally be available for all, in paperback format. Written in serial form from 1940, the autobiography of Turriff Provost and Social Pioneer James Leatham was left incomplete at the time of his death in 1945, and covers his life from birth in Aberdeen in 1865 until his move to Turriff in 1916. But the retrospective nature of the work means that his unique social commentary continues through two World Wars and is a worthwhile read for anyone interested, not just in the birth of the Socialist movement, but in culture and society from the mid 19th to the mid 20th century. The book will be 'launched' at The Auld Post Office Museum, High Street, Turriff on May Day. And if you're not in Turriff on May Day, you can buy your copy online for just £9.99 (+p&p) from www.unco.scot. (Direct link HERE) ‘60 Years of World-Mending’ is published by The Deveron Press as part of their centenary celebrations and is matched by a republishing of the 1970’s biography on Leatham by Robert Duncan (former teacher of History at Banff Academy). First published in 1978 this new edition places James Leatham in the context of his time and reveals him as a long neglected pioneering figure of British Socialism. If you're not in Turriff on May Day you can buy your copy online for just £5.99 (+p&P) from www.unco.scot (Direct link HERE) Both books will be available for sale the day of their publication, which is May Day, at The Auld Post Office Museum and online from www.unco.scot which sells extraordinary books for extraordinary readers at the best prices in town! |