What do you think?
Rate this book
Edinburgh: Our Storied Town
Celebrating its 900th year, Edinburgh is an unrivalled theatre of story. In this commemorative book, Donald Smith unravels the city's storytelling evolution across the centuries, illustrated with vivid detail by Cat Outram.
How did Edinburgh get its name?
What gives the city its unique character?
Why do nation and planet come together here?
How did Edinburgh become the city of literature, and a Festival city?
Which books have made the most impact?
Through its nine official centuries Edinburgh has thrived on books, words and ideas. Everyone who loves Edinburgh will love Donald Smith's exploration of this storied town, as will anyone interested in how place shapes people and people, place.
How did Edinburgh get its name?
What gives the city its unique character?
Why do nation and planet come together here?
How did Edinburgh become the city of literature, and a Festival city?
Which books have made the most impact?
Through its nine official centuries Edinburgh has thrived on books, words and ideas. Everyone who loves Edinburgh will love Donald Smith's exploration of this storied town, as will anyone interested in how place shapes people and people, place.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2024
About the author
Donald Smith
41 books109 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Donald Smith
Dr. Donald Smith is a storyteller, novelist, playwright and performance poet. He was born in Glasgow to an Irish mother and was brought up in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. He is a founding member of the Scottish Storytelling Forum and of Edinburgh's Guid Crack Club, and is Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre at The Netherbow. He chaired the Committee that established the National Theatre of Scotland and became a founding Director.
Smith completed a Ph.D. thesis on Naomi Mitchison at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of numerous books, including a novel set in Edinburgh at the time of Robert Burns, Between Ourselves (Luath, 2008), God, the Poet & the Devil: Robert Burns and Religion (Saint Andrew Press, 2008), and the collection of poetry, A Long Stride Shortens the Road: Poems of Scotland (Luath, 2004).
Please see: Donald Smith
Dr. Donald Smith is a storyteller, novelist, playwright and performance poet. He was born in Glasgow to an Irish mother and was brought up in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. He is a founding member of the Scottish Storytelling Forum and of Edinburgh's Guid Crack Club, and is Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre at The Netherbow. He chaired the Committee that established the National Theatre of Scotland and became a founding Director.
Smith completed a Ph.D. thesis on Naomi Mitchison at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of numerous books, including a novel set in Edinburgh at the time of Robert Burns, Between Ourselves (Luath, 2008), God, the Poet & the Devil: Robert Burns and Religion (Saint Andrew Press, 2008), and the collection of poetry, A Long Stride Shortens the Road: Poems of Scotland (Luath, 2004).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 19, 2024
📕 REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! This little books packs a punch! It’s extremely educational. Having lived in Edinburgh all my life, I hoped and expected to learn a few things. I never thought for one minute I’d learn so much! Starting with the origins of how Edinburgh evolved and indeed how it was given its name was an eye opener in itself.
This book is incredibly detailed and had me transfixed for long periods at a time. It’s a great wee reference book that can be dipped into at your leisure. All the world famous literary people of Edinburgh are discussed at length along with some very interesting new literary geniuses that I knew nothing or very little about.
It’s impossible to read this book without being able to sense the magic, history and presence of Edinburgh whilst going on the most incredible literary journey.
For the readers who have never visited Edinburgh and would like to - this book is all the encouragement you need to do so.
For the residents of Edinburgh and those who have had the pleasure of the Edinburgh experience, this book should be on your bookshelf.
Donald Smith clearly knows his stuff and has written such a special memoir of Edinburgh’s literary history to celebrate this beautiful city’s official 900th anniversary. Its a joy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! This little books packs a punch! It’s extremely educational. Having lived in Edinburgh all my life, I hoped and expected to learn a few things. I never thought for one minute I’d learn so much! Starting with the origins of how Edinburgh evolved and indeed how it was given its name was an eye opener in itself.
This book is incredibly detailed and had me transfixed for long periods at a time. It’s a great wee reference book that can be dipped into at your leisure. All the world famous literary people of Edinburgh are discussed at length along with some very interesting new literary geniuses that I knew nothing or very little about.
It’s impossible to read this book without being able to sense the magic, history and presence of Edinburgh whilst going on the most incredible literary journey.
For the readers who have never visited Edinburgh and would like to - this book is all the encouragement you need to do so.
For the residents of Edinburgh and those who have had the pleasure of the Edinburgh experience, this book should be on your bookshelf.
Donald Smith clearly knows his stuff and has written such a special memoir of Edinburgh’s literary history to celebrate this beautiful city’s official 900th anniversary. Its a joy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 21, 2024
Edinburgh: Our Storied Town is commemorative book of collected stories and historical insights into the history of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. This edition has been published to celebrate Edinburgh’s 900th year. Edinburgh is a city that I love which is steeped in history, culture and tradition and this book does a brilliant job of bringing insight into the journey Edinburgh has been on as it was shaped and formed into the place we recognise today.
Donald’s skill as a storyteller is clear as he explorers the tales Edinburgh has to offer, starting with ‘The time before time’, weaving through it’s Celtic past, into the political and cultural seat that it has now become. The stories are based on fact and Donald does an excellent job of making the history rich and engaging and fact filled without it becoming dry or dull.
So many of the landmarks mentioned are still in existence today and I will be making a point of seeking out some of the landmarks on my next visit to Edinburgh so I can look at them afresh with the knowledge from this book.
A brilliant and informative read whilst also being a page turner, this would be a great book for the readers and history fanatics in your life.
Donald’s skill as a storyteller is clear as he explorers the tales Edinburgh has to offer, starting with ‘The time before time’, weaving through it’s Celtic past, into the political and cultural seat that it has now become. The stories are based on fact and Donald does an excellent job of making the history rich and engaging and fact filled without it becoming dry or dull.
So many of the landmarks mentioned are still in existence today and I will be making a point of seeking out some of the landmarks on my next visit to Edinburgh so I can look at them afresh with the knowledge from this book.
A brilliant and informative read whilst also being a page turner, this would be a great book for the readers and history fanatics in your life.
November 20, 2024
Thank you to Love Book Tours and Luath Press for the copy of this book, it has not affected my honest review.
This is a lovely book written to celebrate 900 years of Edinburgh being recognised as a royal burgh, focusing on the vast literary history of the city and the part its played in forming the Scottish identity. I really enjoyed this detailed look at the literature of Edinburgh, from its earliest time as a settlement on a dead volcano, through the rule of the Clans and the Stewarts to the Unification of the Crowns. It dips into everything, from religion to poetry to royalty and the extracts are well explained. Some of it is a bit dry and academic but I learned a lot from this book, particularly about how language and style has changed throughout history as well as figures I never would have known about otherwise. I also loved the illustrations.
This is a lovely book written to celebrate 900 years of Edinburgh being recognised as a royal burgh, focusing on the vast literary history of the city and the part its played in forming the Scottish identity. I really enjoyed this detailed look at the literature of Edinburgh, from its earliest time as a settlement on a dead volcano, through the rule of the Clans and the Stewarts to the Unification of the Crowns. It dips into everything, from religion to poetry to royalty and the extracts are well explained. Some of it is a bit dry and academic but I learned a lot from this book, particularly about how language and style has changed throughout history as well as figures I never would have known about otherwise. I also loved the illustrations.
November 17, 2024
Edinburgh: Our Storied Town, is divided into 9 chapters, each celebrating a century of Edinburgh's 900 years of history.
It's an incredibly well researched, in depth study of the city's history and culture through literature.
It's very nicely detailed, with beautiful black and white illustrations by Cat Thomas, which serve as great addition to highlight certain parts of the book.
As a big fan of history ( one of my favourite genres ) and a lover of all things Scotland and Scottish ( from many holidays around the country ), I throughly enjoyed this read.
For me, it's a dip in and out type of read, so I read this over four or five sittings over the course of a week or so. But it's definitely a book you could concentrate on and not dip in and out of.
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟's from me.
It's an incredibly well researched, in depth study of the city's history and culture through literature.
It's very nicely detailed, with beautiful black and white illustrations by Cat Thomas, which serve as great addition to highlight certain parts of the book.
As a big fan of history ( one of my favourite genres ) and a lover of all things Scotland and Scottish ( from many holidays around the country ), I throughly enjoyed this read.
For me, it's a dip in and out type of read, so I read this over four or five sittings over the course of a week or so. But it's definitely a book you could concentrate on and not dip in and out of.
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟's from me.
November 23, 2024
I’m not a huge fan of non-fiction reads but I am a fan of Scotland and Edinburgh is one of my favourite places so I couldn’t resist reading this one. It delves way back into the origins of Edinburgh and Scotland itself. I learned a lot of interesting things from it. It also gives us great insight into the literary works and writers who originated here. However, I think, for me, the part I enjoyed most was about the origin of the Fringe Festival. I’ve been in Edinburgh when it was Fringe time and witnessed how busy it is. I’ve always wondered why there was a Fringe and why it was so popular. Now thanks to the author, I have a better understanding of what it is and why it’s so significant. This is a well researched and presented book that history buffs will enjoy.
November 24, 2024
Edinburgh: Our Storied Town is a detailed tribute celebrating Edinburgh’s 900th anniversary. Donald Smith takes us from medieval origins to the Enlightenment and the city’s modern literary world, highlighting how residents helped shape its unique character. Cath Outram’s stunning images, including Edinburgh Castle, enhance the narrative. While richly researched, the book can feel academic; as a longtime resident, I missed the everyday stories and neighbourhood spirit. This book is a treasure for those drawn to Edinburgh’s literary heritage and history, though its depth may be overwhelming for a lighter read.
Fully detailed review on my blog at momobookdiary
Fully detailed review on my blog at momobookdiary
November 18, 2024
This was a fantastic book for readers, writers and explorers alike. I love this as it allowed me to learn not only about our wonder capital but also the wider country including the trials that the country went through. To read the evolution of literature and story telling in the country which really interested me being a reader and also starting my English Literature degree. This gives me another wonderful source which I am able to pull from to help with my studies.
December 6, 2024
I visited Edinburgh for the first time earlier this year and was taken by the history of the place as you wander the streets. When this book came up I knew it was one for me to read.
The book is great for dipping into and learning about Edinburgh’s rich history. I loved the little illustration at the start of the chapters and the timeline at the end brings it all together.
There is a section for each century and each section is further broken down into parts too making it easier to read.
The book is great for dipping into and learning about Edinburgh’s rich history. I loved the little illustration at the start of the chapters and the timeline at the end brings it all together.
There is a section for each century and each section is further broken down into parts too making it easier to read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews