Tag: new book

The Barlinnie Special Unit: new book marks 50 year milestone

New book edited by ENU criminology lecturer Kirstin Anderson examines the legacy of the BSU

The Barlinnie Special Unit (BSU), which polarised opinions for its therapeutic approach and shared decision making between prisoners and staff, is the subject of a comprehensive new book published today.

The small unit at the Glasgow prison opened in 1973 and operated for almost 22 years, allowing greater family contact and enabling prisoners to explore creative activities. Through the support of visiting artists, and the voices of the prisoners themselves, it challenged prevailing, disciplinarian prison culture.

The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Innovation and Punishment is edited by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) criminology lecturer Kirstin Anderson. It brings together recollections from those who experienced the BSU first-hand, including former prison officers and prisoners, artists who worked in the unit, the unit’s psychologist, and current scholars in criminology.

The text contains, for the first time, reflections from people involved in the unit across the entire period it operated through essays, interviews and photographs – and is set to ignite new questions and conversations around the legacy of the BSU.

Editor Kirstin Anderson said: “When the Barlinnie Special Unit opened in 1973, the small unit’s therapeutic approach led to a major polarisation of opinion and debate that still resonates.

“This book considers how lessons learned from the BSU impact our thinking on punishment and imprisonment in Scotland today.

“The publication is timely as plans move forward to replace HMP Barlinnie with HMP Glasgow.

“It’s not too late to consider the significance of the Barlinnie Special Unit in Scottish penal history and how it might encourage us to think more critically.”

Contributors to The Barlinnie Special Unit include former BSU prisoner Johnny Steele. He writes: “My life had been restored to me in instalments whereas in other parts of the system our lives were taken away from us in one go.

“For me, the BSU was the only port in the storm.”

While prison studies expert Professor Andrew Coyle highlights that, due to the lack of small units in the Scottish Prison System, “prisoners who cannot be held in general accommodation for whatever reason have been held for extended periods in what amounts to solitary confinement”, a practice criticised by the UK Supreme Court.

The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Innovation and Punishment is published by Waterside Press and available to buy from 1 October 2024.

World-renowned painting by John Singer Sargent comes home to Edinburgh

One of the most celebrated paintings by world-renowned artist John Singer Sargent (1856 –1925) – Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1864 – 32) – is welcomed home to National Galleries Scotland: National. The much-loved painting is back on display and free to visit now.

With the painting’s exciting arrival back in Edinburgh also comes a name change for this landmark portrait. The painting was on a major international tour as one of the star attractions of the Sargent and Fashion exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Tate Britain, London.

Following its return, the portrait has been given a fuller name – Gertrude Vernon, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1864 – 1932). By including her first name, this fascinating sitter can finally be recognised as an individual in her own right, beyond her status as the wife of Baronet Andrew Noel Agnew of Lochnaw.

National Galleries of Scotland is about to release a new book on the painting on 23 September, which is available to pre-order now at Lady Agnew: A Painting by John Singer Sargent (paperback) (nationalgalleries.org).

Sargent’s dazzling and unforgettable image of Gertrude Vernon is one of the most instantly recognisable portraits of fashionable London society.

For both the artist and his sitter, the painting was an instant success, reviving Sargent’s reputation as the portrait painter of choice for the London elite and immediately transforming the newly elevated Gertrude Vernon into a society celebrity.

Sargent’s image of Gertrude Vernon helped her to become a leading light in fashionable circles, holding lavish salons in her London home. Ironically, the high costs of this hospitality meant that she was eventually forced to sell some family pictures including this portrait which was purchased by National Galleries of Scotland, after Sargent’s death, in 1925.

The confident gaze and relaxed posture of Gertrude Vernon was unusual in contemporary portraiture. The spontaneous feel of the image was enhanced further by the fluid and sweeping brushwork.

More conventional portraits of respectable women had the sitters gazing downward, off to the side, or upon another person or object in the painting. To have a lady sit and stare at the viewer was unconventional, but it was enthusiastically received as bold and beautiful.

Gertrude Vernon was around 26 at the time of the painting and is believed to have walked into the studio one day and slumped herself down in the chair. Sargent liked to capture the most naturalistic pose for his sitters and so he decided to paint her portrait exactly as she appeared that day.

The exact circumstances behind the commission are not known, but the Agnews may have met the artist through mutual American friends. According to notes in her husband’s diary, work on the portrait progressed swiftly, and Sargent later recalled that it was painted in just 6 sittings.

Gertrude Vernon is shown seated in a Louis XVI chair against the backdrop of a Chinese silk hanging, both of which were standard props in Sargent’s studio.

She is reported to have been of frail health; she recovered slowly from a severe bout of influenza in 1890 and was apparently still suffering from exhaustion when she sat for Sargent. There are brilliant passages of painting in the highlights, reflections and coloured shadows that show Sargent at his best as a painter of surfaces and textures.

Sargent was born in Florence and spent his childhood travelling across Europe with his wealthy American parents who restlessly followed the changing social seasons. In 1874 he entered the Paris studio of the stylish French portraitist, Carolus-Duran.

The young Sargent combined the flamboyant style of his teacher with his study of old masters such as Rembrandt and Velázquez but was also influenced by Monet and Impressionism.

His provocative and unconventional Portrait of Madame X caused a scandal at the Paris Salon exhibition in 1884; and, when Sargent settled in London in 1886, he initially found it difficult to find clients. However, his dashing technical mastery and confident manner were ideally suited for aristocratic patronage, and he soon won over his critics with his elegant, flattering portraits.

When his portrait of Gertrude Vernon was shown at the Royal Academy in 1893, one contemporary observed: ‘London is at his feet … he has had a cracking success.’

Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director & Chief Curator of European & Scottish Art, National Galleries of Scotland said: “This fascinating painting is a favourite for many visitors, and we are delighted to have it back on display at the National.

“Sargent’s compelling portrait presents Lady Agnew as a real person with a very distinctive personality. Our aim in adjusting the portrait’s title is to give visitors a bit more information about this intriguing sitter.’

Free to visit: Gertrude Vernon, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1864-1932) by John Singer Sargent | NGS CMS 2022 (nationalgalleries.org)

The Fascinating World of Fungi sheds new light on nature’s hardest worker

Fungi’s role in aiding plant life, conservation and much more revealed in new book

Fungi have long been the subject of stark misconceptions. At times they are labelled as dangerous killers to be avoided at all costs when, without fungi, almost all plant life would perish.

While much of our planet has been explored, it is believed that only 10% of Earth’s fungal species have been discovered. Perhaps the most misunderstood and misrepresented of all groups of organisms, fungi are essentially nature’s unsung heroes, silently shaping our ecosystems for the better.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will publish The Fascinating World of Fungi on 1st August 2024, providing an accessible introduction to these often-hidden life forms.

A revised edition of the 2010 title From Another Kingdom: The Amazing World of Fungi, this updated book features a new foreword, additional imagery and insightful explanations about fungi.

Fungi are constantly decomposing organic matter and forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots. They are the ultimate recyclers and soil enrichers. With their remarkable ability to break down pollutants and support plant growth, fungi are a crucial component of a thriving and balanced environment.

This new edition, The Fascinating World of Fungi, explores the incredibly diverse impact fungi have on life on Earth.

In the realm of modern medicine, fungi emerge as astonishing allies. From ancient traditions to cutting-edge research, fungi have been harnessed for their medicinal power, offering innovative solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing health challenges. 

With compounds like penicillin leading the charge against bacterial infections, and recent breakthroughs uncovering the anticancer properties of compounds derived from mushrooms, fungi stand as beacons of hope in the quest for novel therapies.

As scientists delve deeper into the intricate world of fungal biology, the future holds promise for even more ground-breaking discoveries, paving the way for a new era of healing inspired by the wonders of the fungal kingdom.

As well as its insights into science and medicine, the book provides links to popular culture, and updated sections on foraging and conservation.

Commenting on the publication of The Fascinating World of Fungi, editor Max Coleman explained: “Fungi are massively misunderstood. While it’s true that some fungi can cause us problems, for the most part fungi play an integral role in the functioning of life on Earth.

“As root partners, they release the essential nutrients needed for plants to flourish. Gaining and recycling nutrients from dead plants and animals, fungi are essential for our survival and prosperity.”

With contributions from the diverse perspectives of 14 authors, the new release from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a fantastic gateway into all things fungi.

The Fascinating World of Fungi is published by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on 1st August 2024 and is available to pre-order now.  

Double, double toil and trouble: Herbology guide published by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh this Halloween

A new book from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh  extols botanical medicine and herbal remedy making

The practice of referencing and using nature to create remedies, recipes and therapeutic preparations has been around for thousands of years.  Over time, our knowledge of the more traditional ‘green pharmacy’ of this sort has diminished.  Yet today herbology, the study of herbs, is enjoying a renaissance as reconnecting with nature and sustainability surges.

To coincide with this renaissance, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will publish Herbology – A Physic Garden Pharmacy,  a beautiful, hard-back book filled with natural remedies and recipes, and  showcasing the best practices on gathering ingredients and safely preparing them.  The book, written by herbologist Catherine Conway Payne, will publish on October 31.

Much more than a recipe and remedy book, Herbology is also a history of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a place where medicinal plants have been grown for hundreds of years, for the benefit of the medical profession and their patients.  

The book references four other publications which date from the origins of the Garden in the 17th century. One, the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia (1699), was discovered in the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Originally published in Latin, the contents of the Pharmacopoeia have remained relatively inaccessible to most for over 300 years. 

However – with the kind assistance of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the dedicated work of one research associate from the Garden, Robert Mill – the work in its entirety has now been translated into English; several extracts of which are being shared, for the first time, within the pages of this book.

Author Catherine Conway-Payne said: “It was an absolute joy to delve in to the Pharmacopoeia and discover which medicinal plants were being grown in Edinburgh during the latter part of the 17th century, which may be regarded as something of a golden age of herbalism.

“Then, the worlds of plants and medicine were closely aligned and it has been fascinating to find out that some recipes have not changed at all and that others contained extraordinary ingredients such as powdered toad, mouse droppings and even spider’s webs.  Readers of Herbology will be relieved that our modern-day holistic formulations have omitted these from their list of ingredients.”

There are many precious botanicals within the pages of Herbology – among them nettle, dandelion, wild garlic and winter blooming witch hazel.  Organised by the seasons, the book is filled with recipes and remedies and readers will join Catherine on a journey into ‘green pharmacy’ making special botanical creams, green ointments, herbal honeys, syrups, juices and teas along the way.

Catherine continued: “So much has been lost and forgotten over the years but we have been enjoying a real resurgence of interest in herbology recently. Our herbology courses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have become incredibly popular and we are thrilled to now offer certifciates and diplomas in the subject. 

“There has never been more desire to study all things ‘green’ and to learn how to work as one with nature, understand the precious therapeutic potentials of medicinal plants and nurture the earth that sustains them. 

“The very nature of herbology is so expansive that once you are immersed within this facet of botanical learning you cannot help but become more aware of its inherently curative and dynamic spirit. 

“For generations to come, perhaps this age in time might be viewed as a period of great holistic change and life sustaining initiative.”

Herbology is illustrated by botanical artist Jacqui Pestell and contains evocative photography by Kate Soltan.  It is published by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on October 31 and is available to pre-order now. 

Social Bite Founder, Josh Littlejohn MBE, publishes his first book

Dame Helen Mirren and Martin Compston are among those celebrating the book launched on Thursday 17th August

Leading social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn MBE who has spearheaded initiatives that have raised over £25 million to help end homelessness, and can count George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio as supporters, has launched his first book, Paying It Forward: How to Be a Social Entrepreneur.

Paying It Forward, which is part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit, has already gained praise from early readers including Sir Bob Geldof, novelist Irvine Welsh, film director Richard Curtis CBE, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and actors Martin Compston and Dame Helen Mirren.

In the book labelled ‘an essential read for our times’ by Richard Curtis CBE, Josh gives practical advice and guidance to those looking to enter the world of social entrepreneurship and shares inspirational stories from homeless people he has met over the last decade.

Josh also shares his personal story, exploring the ups and downs of founding and growing Social Bite – from opening a string of cafés, to creating a village to house homeless people, and staging fundraising ‘sleep outs’ all over the world.

Celebrating the launch in Social Bite’s original café in Edinburgh, Josh Littlejohn said: “I’m thrilled to launch my first ever book, Paying it Forward, which tells my story and chronicles all of the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and humour of life as a social entrepreneur.

“I hope it offers practical lessons to inspire anyone interested in using their own skills to make a difference in the world. Most importantly,

“I hope it shines a light on the remarkable people I have met over the years from homeless backgrounds who inspire me every day. It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Heligo Books on Paying it Forward and I’m so excited for people to read the book.”

Josh began working on the homelessness issue when he co-founded a small café in Edinburgh in 2012 and a young homeless man named Peter Hart plucked up the courage to go in and ask for a job.

This chance moment inspired a social enterprise that now operates six cafes in Scotland and London, offering jobs and food to homeless and vulnerable people.

In 2018, Josh and his team launched the Social Bite Village, a purpose-built community providing homes which has so far helped to house almost 100 people. In 2019, Josh launched ‘The World’s Big Sleepout’, with events in over 52 cities around the globe, and 60,000 people sleeping out in the world’s largest ever display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people.

Josh has so far helped raise over £25 million for charitable and homelessness causes and received an MBE from the Queen. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, five honorary doctorates and he also been included in Debrett’s list of the most influential people in the UK.

Paying it Forward: How to be a Social Entrepreneur was published in hardback, audio and eBook on Thursday (17th August 2023). 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Social Bite to help combat homelessness.

Books can also be ordered online here: 

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Foyles: https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Amazon: amzn.to/3JJ4KGW

Children’s Book event at Corstorphine Library

We are absolutely delighted to be hosting children’s author Maxine Bryce at Corstorphine Library on Saturday the 9th of September.

She’ll be reading her picture book ‘Voyage to Planet Dream‘, and then we have an exciting craft planned for afterwards!

Book your place at the event by emailing corstorphine.library@edinburgh.gov.uk, or call us on 0131 529 5506.

Local foster carer launches new book in aid of Aberlour Children’s Charity

Celebrating the importance of families, Edinburgh born foster carer Sarah Byrom launched her new book ‘Marmalade Raspberries & Albrecht – a Poetry Prose Memoir’ at Carberry Tower in Edinburgh on Sunday 18th June.

‘I couldn’t put it down. It is truly a beautiful work of art and so imaginative. It is one of the most beautiful books I have and I will treasure it.’ – Gillian Ferguson, Chair of Edinburgh’s Friends of the City Art Centre & Museums (FCAC)

‘Marmalade Raspberries & Albrecht – a Poetry Prose Memoir’ is a labour of love for the published author. It took over a year to write but 13 years to publish. The book is an illustrated memoir and collection of short stories, poems and recipes celebrating Sarah’s childhood and a tribute to ‘the wonderment and often bonkerness of daily, family life.’

The local author values family life and just over a year ago became a foster carer with Aberlour. Recognising the importance of Aberlour’s work to support struggling families through its Urgent Assistance Fund, Sarah is covering all costs herself so that every penny donated for the book and cards will go to the emergency relief fund.

Sarah Byrom, author and Aberlour foster carer said: “Over the past 14 years I have been working on ‘Marmalade Raspberries & Albrecht – a Poetry Prose Memoir’ and it’s great to finally see it in print.

The book is a tribute to my late mother, grandmo”ther and close family friend, Edith Wright. It was wonderful to think about my childhood and how important it was in making me the person I am today.

“I have always loved kids and during lockdown I decided to investigate becoming a foster carer to give a child the opportunities and love I had growing up. That was when I was introduced to Aberlour Children’s Charity.

“My little one has now been with me for over a year now. I wanted to use my book to help families struggling across the country. Life is tough for everyone now, but it is especially difficult for many low-income families.”

Aberlour works across Scotland providing a range of services including family support and fostering. Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund has been a lifeline for many desperate families during the pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis, giving emergency cash grants to pay for food, utilities, clothing, nappies and other basics.

Since April 2021 over 16,000 people have received grants from the Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund worth £1.8 million.

Nicola Fearon, Head of Fostering at Aberlour said: “We are so proud of Sarah.

“Not only has she published this wonderful book about her childhood and the important people in it, but she is using the book to raise much needed funds to help families struggling to make ends meet.”

Abby Parkhouse, Community Fundraiser at Aberlour said: “1 in 4 children in Scotland are currently living in poverty. Through our Urgent Assistance Fund we are able to help families in desperate need by providing cash grants to help them buy food, clothe their children and keep the lights on.

We are so grateful to Sarah for using something so very personal to raise money to help others struggling to keep their heads above water during the cost-of-living crisis. Without supporters like Sarah, we wouldn’t be there for the families who need us.”

The book was launched initially in Sarah’s childhood home’s garden, an important place in both her and her family’s life, with close friends and family.

The second launch took place on 18th June at Carberry Tower with friends and special guests including team members from Aberlour.

Sarah will also be releasing a 12-episode podcast series about the book.

The Hidden World of Mosses takes a deep dive into the tiny world we pass by every day

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh publishes its first book of 2023

Did you know that there are nearly 20,000 different species of mosses and their relatives worldwide with over 1000 in the UK?

And did you know that that Sphagnum moss is almost wholly responsible for the creation and maintenance of peat bogs, preventing harmful carbon from being released into the atmosphere?

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will publish The Hidden World of Mosses on March 31, providing an accessible guide to these not-so-humble botanical gems. 

Written by bryologist Dr Neil Bell, the book presents information about these incredible plants, exploring their tiny, intriguing and diverse environments in detail.  This fascinating book also contains hundreds of stunning photographs which reveal the beauty and splendour of moss.

Perhaps the most misunderstood and misrepresented of all groups of organisms, moss is often thought of as unattractive and unremarkable, but nothing could be further from the truth. 

Mosses and their relatives (liverworts and hornworts) are found in almost every part of the world, from lush forests to rocky mountains tops and from city centres in the tropics to Antarctic tundra.  Mosses are critical to the planet – if they ceased to exist tomorrow the world would be in a lot of trouble. 

Examining the many different types of moss, including those found in the UK and internationally, The Hidden World of Mosses explores the incredible environments of these plants that form their own miniature forests filled with grazers and predators, and have their own ecological norms and mechanics.  They play a critical role in climate change prevention and have an extraordinary ability to hold and control water in forests, uplands and valleys. 

Grimmia montana and Grimmia decipiens (Grimmiaceae), on montane rock outcrop,1 Traprain Law, East Lothian, Scotland. 14 September 2014.

Incredibly, some mosses can hold more than 20 times their own weight in water. Peat mosses (Sphagnum) are almost entirely responsible for creating and maintaining peat, which is a traditional fuel and used for the flavour it imparts to many whiskies.  

Sphagnum moss keeps the soil in which it grows permanently wet, largely preventing decomposition. Interestingly, Sphagnum moss has also been used by medics over the centuries.  Due to its absorbent and antiseptic properties, it was used as a cheaper alternative to cotton wool dressings in World Wars One and Two, and has been used to treat wounds for many years. 

On tropical mountains, mosses prevent flooding by capturing large amounts of water, gently controlling the flow of heavy rainfall, absorbing it like a giant sponge and then slowly letting it out again into rivers in a regulated manner. 

Additionally, mosses offer hunting grounds, protection and food for a host of much smaller creatures such as worms, mites, spiders and beetles, who use moss as a place to shelter, graze, or reproduce. 

Speaking about the publication of The Hidden World of Mosses, Neil Bell said, “Mosses are just a little smaller than most things we deal with in our everyday lives, so we tend not to notice their intricate beauty and how different they are from each other unless we make the effort to look really closely.

“Mosses and their relatives have evolved to live in a different way from other plants, playing a critical role in the environment that other plants can’t, and the mosses and liverworts we have in Scotland are of international significance – far more so than our other native plants, in fact.

“We need to recognise that and protect them. I hope that this book will raise awareness of this hidden botanical world and encourage more people to explore it .”

The Hidden World of Mosses is published by The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on March 31 and is available on pre-order now.  

hiddenworldofmossesfrontcover0223Download