“Excellent . . . Almost the perfect marriage of travelogue to the inner landscape of political ideas and cultural reflections . . . a super read.” —New Statesman Few landscapes are as striking as that of the Hebrides, the hundreds of small islands that speckle the waters off Scotland’s northwest coast. The jagged, rocky cliffs and roiling waves serve as a reminder of the islands’ dramatic geological history. Facing the Atlantic, the Hebrides were at the center of ancient shipping routes and have a remarkable cultural history. After years of hearing about Scotland as a place interwoven with the story of her family, Madeleine Bunting went to see for herself this place so full of history. Over six years, Bunting returned again and again to the Hebrides, fascinated by the question of what it means to belong there. With great sensitivity, she takes readers through the Hebrides’ history of dispossession and displacement, a history that can be understand only in the context of Britain’s imperial past, and she shows how the Hebrides have been repeatedly used to define and imagine Britain. Love of Country is a revelatory journey through one of the world’s most remote, beautiful landscapes that encourages us to think of the many identities we wear as we walk our paths. “A remarkably thorough digest of the many histories of the Hebrides.” —Wall Street Journal “Moving and wonderful. . . . Both the author and reader of this book end up losing themselves not just in politics and history and the details of nature, but a sense of wonder” —The Guardian “Makes you feel you are there even if you have just left.” —Observer, Best Books of the Year

The book Dam Greed reveals the second effort to save the Little T by lawyers who saw unique beauty in the river and alternative ways to bring industry and money to the area without flooding. The lawyers, scientists, and archaeologists tried to prevent the destruction of the land, water, farming businesses, recreation areas, and historical sites. They reveal the politics that disregarded the environment, free enterprise, and the Endangered Species Act. The book may be purchased over the Internet at http://www.xlibris.com or locally at Sloan's Center in Madisonville or Vonore, Susan Morris Art Gallery in Sweetwater, John Hall Museum in Tellico Plains, and McKenzie Books in Athens. The cover was made by Julie Jack, a professor of art at Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, Tennessee. Water, the sky, a map of the area, and the Rose Island holly are shown with Robert and Bruce Dorward, the husband and the son of the author. Ms. Jack's work is available at Athens Art and Frame Shop. Her Web site is http://www.juliejack.com, and she is available as a visiting artist and instructor at conferences and workshops.

John McLaren has dedicated his life to rescuing mistreated donkeys. When he finds Pollyanne at a livestock auction - unloved and horribly frail - he knows immediately that if he doesn't take her home to the sanctuary he has made his life's work, she stands little chance of surviving. John soon discovers that despite her terrible start in life, Pollyanne has the X factor: she is destined for more than the local nativity play. The bright lights of the West End beckon and before long, Pollyanne is appearing onstage with opera's biggest stars. She may have hit the animal A-list, but Pollyanne's no diva. When the curtain comes down, there's nowhere she'd rather be than at home with John and her four-legged friends. Sarah Oliver's Pollyanne is a heart-warming true story of unconditional love - and a Little Donkey with star quality.