Neil Baxter

This is a welcome addition to the many histories of Glasgow. The mediaeval period has necessarily been neglected due to the lack of sources: the city itself destroyed most building evidence in its many reinventions, and many documentary sources were destroyed when they were taken to Paris to escape the Reformation, ironically to be destroyed in the French Revolution. Designed as a series of essays there are some elements of repetition, but in general they hang together well, with a core show more emphasis in how much Glasgow was an important religious destination throughout the Middle Ages. The role of the Church dominates, but the nascent trading centre emerges towards the end of the book in particular. One issue with the book is it's size and format, a 30cm X 30 cm softback is not the most convenient format, although the size has been used to advantage in some superb illustrations, many of which were new to me. In an effort to make it attractive to a wider readership it avoids a high academic tone, but it occasionally does go too far in the other direction. The last essay in particular wouldn't have been out of place in a school textbook, personally I found that somewhat off-putting. show less