Faintheart: An Englishman Ventures North of the Border

by Charles Jennings

Stomping the quintessential Highlands from Inverness to Skye and risking frozen extremities to reach breathtaking Hebridean islands, Charles Jennings discovers a land of awe-inspiring beauty. Contemplating whether his great grandfather's legacy qualifies him to shed a tear at the sound of bagpipes, Jennings compares the elegance of Edinbugh with the industrial action of Aberdeen, risks a pint in Kelvinside, and sinks into the peaty bogs of Mull.

Genres: Travel, Scotland, Nonfiction, Humor

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Cameron Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on Scotland back from the 2000s. Not all has aged well but enough in it to make for a good read on Scottish culture/history/geography & why or why not you should venture there.

Quick read so worth it if you want a comedic take on what Scotland has to offer. Turns out quite a bit.

[Debbie Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I pulled this book from my bookshelves due to the pending Scottish independance vote, it just caught my eye and I thought it was the right time to read it. A tour around Scotland and overview of Scottish history, very funny in places but overall hard work. Once started I have to finish a book, but this one tested my resolve. On the plus side I did learn quite alot about Scotland and the Scottish people but on his observations of the peolpe then it has probably given me a distorted view.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

The jabs Jennings, as an Englishman,
makes at Scotland were, as a whole,
outside my experience, and would
have been better appreciated by
a Scot or a fellow Englishman. I
did enjoy following Jennings on a
mini-tour of Scotland though, at
times, I might have asked for a
bit of a more jovial host.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, although I suspect his style (sense of humor) isn't for everyone.