Various (Kay, Billy (Editor); Edwards, Owen Dudley; Ireland, Marilyn; Mackay, Margaret A.; Martin, Angus et al.)

Odyssey: Voices from Scotland's Recent Past

ISBN: 0904919471
Edinburgh, Scotland: Polygon Books, 1980. First Edition. Softcover. Inscribed & signed to Thomas Rain Crowe by Scottish author Tom Hubbard. "Through the words of the people who experienced it, history is alive. It is one thing to read an account of clearance and emigration to Canada from the Hebrides, another to hear the people's version of the dispersal of their community and their adaptation to a foreign land...Fortunately oral history is being given the recognition it deserves, and through collection by institutions such as The School of Scottish Studies, interested bodies such as the Oral History Group, and Odyssey, stories like those in this book are preserved to inform future generations." (from Introduction by Billy Kay) An excellent compilation of relatively recent Scottish history by those who lived it, edited & with an introduction (quoted above) by Billy Kay, followed by a preface by Owen Dudley Edwards. With eleven articles by Scottish scholars including Marilyn Ireland, Margaret A. Mackay, Angus Martin & others which compile the oral histories of then-living (circa late 1970s) witnesses to all aspects of Scottish life, culture & its Diaspora. The articles are accompanied with many vintage photographs that depict the activities & events being described. A companion to BBC Scotland's Odyssey radio program series. Large-format softcover original, first edition. From the library of Thomas Rain Crowe, the acclaimed poet & publisher who was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ Second San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s (see our book, Starting From San Francisco, item No. 3071, Deluxe Edition No. 3075). On title page, the eminent Scottish author & scholar Tom Hubbard (apparently not involved in this production as far as we have found) has hand-written & signed: "To Thomas and Nan/ from/ Tom and Eleanor Hubbard/ (underline)/ Thanks for everything!/ (underline)/ Sent in hopes of/ creatively Celtic and musical/ effects on you both./ Jan(uary). 1997." Nan & Eleanor are Crowe's partner & Hubbard's wife respectively. A fascinating, informative production, & a unique collectible with rich association & provenance. In near-fine condition with mild-to-moderate rubbing, sunning, browning, scratching & creasing to front, back covers & spine; mild wear & tiny-to-small bumps, creases at edges & corners of same; areas of light staining to upper & esp. lower edges of front cover; mild rubbing & spotting to edges of text block esp. lower edge. Interior very fine with only small bumps at corners of some page leaves. Near Fine. [Item #3580]

Price: $40.00