With the new Parliament now established, Scotland stands poised on the brink of momentous changes in its political, social, economic and cultural life. In this book, Carl MacDougall, one of Scotland's most distinguished writers, sets out to investigate the nature of the Scottish identity, to examine its roots and to evaluate the possibilities of a new flowering in the years ahead. Applying his pointed critical analysis to Scottish art, architecture, dance, music and literature, MacDougall strips away the layers of romantic mythology associated with Scottishness -- from Bonnie Prince Charlie to Braveheart -- and assesses how the deep need for a hero has led the Scots first to deify and then denigrate individuals such as Robert Burns, Walter Scott, Sean Connery, and Billy Connolly. Finally, he argues persuasively in favor of a newly self-confident national identity based on the contemporary realities of Scottish life and culture. Witty and frequently controversial, Painting the Forth Bridge is indispensable reading, not just for Scots, but also for all those concerned with the issue of national identity.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which the Forth Bridges have changed and developed over the last century.

"Including the nation's best-kept-secret railways"--Cover.

This firsthand road map will tell you what it takes to create a product that meets a customer's needs -- and avoid the pitfalls of product failure. Did you cut through traffic on your Segway today? Cool off with a delicious can of New Coke? Relax at home while listening to some music on your Zune? Despite years of research, countless products like these see high-profile launches, only to end up failing to connect with an audience. The Practitioner's Guide to Product Management will help you create a lasting product and take you through the field of product management with candid stories and a litany of real-world experiences.

From the world-renowned to the minor and the modest take a look at this lavishly illustrated look at some of Britain's best loved and iconic bridges.

During the Industrial Revolution, Britain was at the forefront of bridge innovation. Pioneering designers such as George and Robert Stephenson, Thomas Telford and Isambard Kingdom Brunel created Britain's rich bridge heritage that features many world firsts and we can learn much from their ground-breaking designs. Written by an experienced bridge architect, this book includes an introduction to bridge aesthetics; it gives an outline of British bridge development and advice on parapet treatment and bridge lighting. This book offers a comprehensive overview of how the best of British bridges marry aesthetic considerations with engineering ingenuity.