Ian R. Hamilton (1925–2022)

A page turner of a tale that I sped through from start to finish in one day. I appreciated both the voice of young Hamilton, brash and idealistic and full of ego. I even more appreciated the voice of older Hamilton, reflecting 40 years later on the words the younger version of himself had written. This older Hamilton was still brash and idealistic, but time had tempered that ego. And he was funny. The post-chapter asides made me think, reflect, and laugh.

I admit, I bought this book after show more stumbling upon the movie. I am incredibly heartened that the movie stayed true to the actual events, as recollected by Hamilton. I am even more shocked that what I thought was artistic license to add suspense and plot twists to the story had in fact happened.

A great story of an incredible feat that was pulled off with more sheer luck and stubbornness than planning. It's more than that, though. It's a story of a people who, despite centuries of English rule, take pride in their cultural identity and long for recognition, and needed a rallying point. show less

really, really enjoyed this book. it's a great story and written well enough to be enjoyable for the most part, though perhaps not heavily edited. the author isn't always consistent about what parts of the exposition he's going to be expansive about in a particular chapter, but i think that does lend pleasantly to its sincerity. it did take me a little while to get through because it sort of felt like taking a winding tour through the memory of the author, but that's actually one of the show more things i liked most about it -- it's a memoir more than anything else. the passages describing the emotional side of identity set against a Scottish backdrop were particularly beautiful. it also provides an interesting snapshot of the moderate wing of the liberation movement in Scotland c. 1950. show less

autobiography of the Scotsman who removed the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey. This story only takes up a chapter as the rest of the book relates to his experiences within the Scottish Legal system as a Q,C. This is interspersed with adventures as a pilot, a market gardener, a museum curator in Kirriemuir and his attemp to cross the Atlantic by boat and his expulsion from Zambia. Hamilton has led a life full of interest, and far from conventional. 100% scottish and detests english show more institution-ism i.e. does not regard the queen as Elizabeth 2nd as she is the first of that name to be queen in Scotland. May be a tough read for some Englishmen but as a welshman I understand his views. show less