The Bard: Robert Burns, A Biography

Burns has in the past 50 years come to be treated as a precious relic, to be adored, worshipped, referred to, but not much read. Part of what stoked his rise to fame was his insistence upon writing at least a part of his work in his native Ayrshire dialect. But his broader fame came at first from his English poems, through which he achieved a broader audience. Though he affected being a "farmer poet," his ambition went far beyond that genre. Crawford examines an incredible mass of documentary evidence, most of which was nearly inaccessible up to about 50 years ago, and was too voluminous to sort through until the advent of digital technology. The result is a very solid biography which may resolve some old questions about Burns's character, and which shows how strong Burns's influence upon Scottish and English literature, music, and song has been. I can't imagine anyone in the future writing an essay on Burns without having read this work.

A thorough, and intelligent biography of Robert Burns. It chronologically follows his life and provides a great deal of detail about his doings and writings. Not an easy read, but one that requires a degree of persistence. Recommended, but not for the casual Burns fan.

Fascinating biography of the charismatic poet. You come away with an understanding of what motivated Burns as a man and a writer. Impeccably researched with new material. I can't imagine anyone writing a better biography on this subject.

Excellent modern interprestation of Burns's life. Crawford avoids past romantisizing of the "farmer poet" and constructs the life of a very human man with all his personal demons and glories.

Though complete and not based on Burns myth, this book is a heavy read. Chronology is difficult to access and at times wading through the verbege loses the focus. Overall, though, a complete biography. Extremely interesting with respects to the political climate and Burns' own political views.

The depth of detail is excellent for scholars, but too much for the general reader. There are many gems--surprising aspects of Burn's career, but one must plow through a thicket of historical detail to get to them.The jacket, incidentally, is beautiful.

Good reading.

great

This was a present

Excellent! Super! Crawford presents some new material and re-assesses Burns as man and as poet, covering his politics, his radicalism, his intenisty, his warmth, his passion, his loving kindness. I enjoued it very much and found it a usefu as I was preparing to give a Speech at a forthcoming Burns Supper at the time of reading.

Useful if researching the life and work of Robert Burns

As far as I know the book is ideal and as it is a gift for Christmas I am sure it will please - as for liking it or loving it - it is not really for me but for the recipient to judge! It look fine though.

Fantastic buy.