Friday 7 August 2020

MY ENDORSEMENT OF 'POACHER'S PILGRIMAGE' by Alastair McIntosh

Extract from e-mail to Jonathon Porritt:

"Have you ever come across author Alastair McIntosh?  I am reading 'Poacher's Pilgrimage'.  It's a beautifully crafted account of his walk from the southern end of Harris to the Butt of Lewis and interspersed with ecology, spirituality, respect for the old ways on the island and, his brave challenges in official, formal sessions with the military over our alternative non-violent direct action.  Or, at least, diplomacy rather than the militarisation of diplomacy.  And pilgrimage (your "treading lightly") to describe how our three score years and ten should be like AND, not poaching from future generations."

MY ENDORSEMENTS as I was reading the book:

A truly great writer who holds the readers' attention with wonderful descriptions, remarkable knowledge and delicious humour.

An outstanding book.  Nicely left of centre, an amazing command of the English language.  A giant of a man.

Every page keeps my attention and interest.

400 pages of erudition and anecdotes, of walking, talking, recalling - all related so skilfully and often humorously that it made me smile.  A masterclass in writing.  A literary great.  Politically correct, liberation theology supported and, a socialist.

Anti-war, pro-nature, pro-humanity.  This man is a Quaker, a pacifist and argues for Christ's non-violence in both his life and teachings.

This book is pure poetry in prose, with a sense of fun thrown in for good measure.  After the Gospels of social justice, non-violence and other divine ethical teachings, this must be the greatest and most important book I have ever read.  My 'Desert Island' book! 


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