COLOURING GLASGOW

Drawings by: John R Hume

Published by: Freight Books

Price: £8.99

Summer generally means readers may have a little spare time on their hands. Reverting back to childhood colouring in has found a new adult market in recent years as an antidote to stress – and an opportunity to create a beautiful yet authentic image.

John R Hume is familiar to regular readers, thanks to his insights into the sometimes hidden architectural treasures of the Church of Scotland, complemented by his beautiful line drawings.

This 96 page publication offers not only line drawings of some of Glasgow’s most famous churches (waiting to be completed by colour), but also drawings of some of the familiar and famous buildings of the city.

Colouring enthusiasts will delight in the detail, whilst those with affection and love for the city will enjoy the recreation of landmark buildings, which are easily recognisable.

This would also make a gift for any ex-pat Scots now living overseas, still yearning for their home in the city.

LETTERS FROM MANCHURIA

The story of Marion Young Missionary in Japanese-occupied China

Edited by: Neil T Sinclair

Published by: Little Knoll Press

Price: £25

What brings history to life is very often personalisation of details which, at the time of writing, seemed unimportant, but with the passage of time have become a key part of social history, offering rich insights into a way of life now long gone.

This is the strength of this book: Marion Young, from Galway was a missionary appointed to China by the Irish Presbyterian Church’s Women’s Association for Foreign Mission. She was assigned to Manchuria, a joint mission between the Irish Church and the Church of Scotland.

This book chronicles the many letters that she wrote home to her parents – latterly written during a period of Japanese occupation – when code was used to ensure the letters were passed by censors.

The letters were passed to Marion’s daughter and son in law, who in retirement have spent time editing and taking the best of six years of weekly letters to offer insights into a fascinating life of commitment during a difficult time in the history of China.

The former Labour government minister and former MP for Paisley, Douglas Alexander, a son of the manse and grandson himself of medics who served in China, has written a foreword to the book, which he writes has” shone a light on an extraordinary life and illuminated a record of service undertaken in a far away land at a time of trial and tribulation.’

Lynne McNeil