Book Reviews
A selection of buyers reviews on Amazon:
5 out of 5 stars
A journey through past times
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2026
As a fellow Gourockian (and classmate of the Author), this brought back memories of gowing up and living in this wonderful little town.
The Clyde steamers heading back and forth to many destinations on the river were part of the town’s DNA; their demise has robbed the area of the excitement and adventure of sailing around one of the most beautiful areas of the country. This personal memoir provides a valuable record of a past time.
Nigel’s insightful and humorous stories of the town in those 1950’s and 1960’s delve into a community beyond the steamers and form a great historical record of good times and experiences in the post war years as we were entering the Cold War.
Gourock (and Greenock) High Schools must have inspired budding authors; the wonderful Iain Banks followed about three classes below our year group.
My only regret is not to have acquired this book much earlier; a joy to read.
5 out of 5 stars
Smashing tales on the River Clyde
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 July 2024
Great short stories about life on the River Clyde paddle steamers in Scotland.
4 out of 5 stars
Lead on Braveheart
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2026
Am in the middle of reading this.
Bought because interested in “guid Sir James”.
Easy read.
So far not as fact based as I thought it would be
5 out of 5 stars
Historical drama telling the story of the Black Douglas family in Scotland
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 July 2024
The Black Douglases went from being the proudest warrior family in Scotland to greed, deceipt and an attempt to take the throne of Scotland. Great read.
One person found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Feuds and vengeance in medieval Scotland
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Great local history. Tells the true story of a small castle in Scotland where the owner becomes immersed in feuds with other clans. Well written and immersive.
5 out of 5 stars
Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2021
As a Gourockian in exile I found the tales around the stone very interesting and making me think about all the, times I walked past it over the years not thinking about the history ,fact or fiction. Which made this book a good read. Buy it.
5 out of 5 stars
Great local history read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 January 2021
This is a well written and informative read on my local area and my immediate surroundings specifically.
5 out of 5 stars
Fast paced action in Ludlum style and a real page turner.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2025
By framing one brother as rising through elite, political corridors, and the other as descending into jungle-based violence, Rennie paints a portrait of a society deeply divided. The novel uses the brothers’ divergent lives to reflect on broader social injustice: wealth disparity, corruption, the lure (or coercion) of criminal or militant groups in contexts of poverty or neglect, and how individuals become players in larger power struggles.
5 out of 5 stars
Sobre la corrupción y la inestabilidad política en Colombia.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2025
El libro explora el costo humano de la corrupción, la influencia de los cárteles y la inestabilidad política en Colombia y Venezuela. Es de gran actualidad considerando la posible invasión estadounidense en su lucha contra los cárteles de la droga.