Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} A History Maker by Alasdair Gray A History Maker by Alasdair Gray. - Return to top of the page - See our review for fuller assessment. Review Summaries Source Rating Date Reviewer The NY Times Book Rev. A- 18/8/1996 Nicholas Birns Rev. of Contemp. Fiction A Spring/1998 William M. Harrison TLS B- 9/12/1994 Mick Imlah The Village Voice A 9/4/1996 Andrew Ross The Washington Post . 17/5/1996 Carolyn See. Fairly enthusiastic, though they don't seem to be entirely sure what to make of it. "Despite its speculative detours, A History Maker never loses sight of its storyline and characters, who are more emotionally engaging than those in some of Mr. Gray's previous work." - Nicholas Birns, The New York Times Book Review. - Return to top of the page - Gray's short novel, A History Maker , is again a fiction presented swaddled in explanation and exegesis, a fictional memoir edited and annotated and commented upon. As Gray does this sort of thing very well there should be few complaints about the form the novel takes. It is set in the future, introduced in a prologue by the memoirist's mother dated 8 December, 2234. The hero -- the history maker -- is Wat Dryhope, son of the chief in Ettrick Forest (sort of a Scottish Sherwood Forest). The 23rd century world portrayed here is a utopia -- of sorts. History has come to an end here. Oh, there is still fighting between peoples and nations, but it is completely regulated, taking on the form of an elaborate board-game. In battle Wat does not play entirely by the rules, setting off the events that make him the "history maker". The rules of engagement change, and with them all the underlying fabric of these societies. A woman, Delilah Puddock, with her own agenda complicates Wat's life and the general situation. History spreads again, with predictable consequences. Extensive notes at the end of the memoir allow for various asides, comments and opinions, rewritten history, explanations of new (and old) coinages, and the like. A brief postscript, "by a student of folklore", closes the book. Though set in the future, Gray has a lot of fun with references to the present, well-woven into the narrative and the notes. It is a decidedly contemporary book, with Wat influenced by John Reed's Ten Days that Shook the World and looking to much of this century to learn about his own. Clever and playful A History Maker is both an enjoyable story and an interesting meditation on a variety of subjects, foremost being history per se, but also including questions regarding the sexes as well as the needs and desires of individuals and society. Well written, as always, it is an entertaining and thoughtful read. Recommended. Alasdair Gray. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Alasdair Gray , (born December 28, 1934, East Glasgow, Scotland—died December 29, 2019, Glasgow), Scottish novelist, playwright, and artist best known for his surreal atmospheric novel Lanark (1981). Gray’s family was evacuated from Glasgow during World War II. He later returned to attend Whitehill Senior Secondary School, where he wrote and drew for the school magazine, and the Glasgow School of Art. He went on to work as a muralist and a scene painter for local theatres. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s he also wrote plays for television, radio, and the stage, all the while working on a novel that would be decades in the making. When he finally published Lanark , his first book, it was hailed as a landmark of Scottish literature. Subsequent fiction included 1982, Janine (1984), The Fall of Kelvin Walker (1985), Poor Things (1992), A History Maker (1994), and Old Men in Love: John Tunnock’s Posthumous Papers (2007). His short fiction was collected as Unlikely Stories, Mostly (1983), Ten Tales Tall & True (1993), and The Ends of Our Tethers: 13 Sorry Stories (2003). Every Short Story, 1951–2012 was published in 2012. In 2000 Gray edited The Book of Prefaces , which he also designed and illustrated, and he began restoring murals he had painted in the 1970s. In 2001 he became a professor of creative writing at the University of Glasgow. Throughout his career, Gray’s murals, writings, and political activism endorsed socialism, opposed war and nuclear arms, and advocated Scottish independence. He notably argued for the latter in Why Scots Should Rule Scotland (1992; rev. ed. 1997) and Independence: An Argument for Home Rule (2014). Of Me and Others (2014) was a compilation of autobiographical writings. ISBN 13: 9780156003629. In a story set in Scotland's Ettrick Forest in the twenty-third century, Wat Dryhope is unhappy about his clan's violent and permissive lifestyle until he is challenged by Delilah Puddock and her plot to restore the competitive exploitation of human resources. "synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title. A fantasy novel of border warfare -- military and erotic -- in Scotland's Ettrick Forest in the 23rd century A.D. Gray's writing style is highly unique and refreshing, and his insights into ways of being are eye-opening. From the Back Cover : A HISTORY MAKER. 'Fantasist, realist, parodist, postmodernist . . . Alasdair Gray has become no mean literary history maker himself.' Scotsman. This is the memoir of Wat Dryhope, son of Ettrick Forest's Twenty-third Century Chieftain. History has ended, households are ruled by women, and war is a regulated game only played by men. But Wat the History Make is sick of the old rules and when a woman, Delilah Puddock, interfere, this utopian world is terribly endangered. Th book has been designed and illustrated by the author. 'Very entertaining indeed.' TLS 'I would sit around the campfire and listen to Gray's tales any night.' The Times ' A History Maker is in a field of its own.' GQ. A History Maker Text. A tale of border warfare, military and erotic, set in the twenty-third century, where the women rule the kingdom and the men play war games. This is the fictional memoir of Wat Dryhope – edited, annotated and commented upon. History has come to an end, war is regulated as if it's all a game. But Wat, the History Maker himself, does not play entirely by the rules, and when a woman, Delilah Puddock, joins the fray, this 'utopian' history is further enlivened. Alasdair Gray cleverly plays with the notion and writing of history, as well as perennial modern debates on war, sexism and society – entertaining and thought-provoking, this is a delightful satire illustrated throughout by the author. 0862414954 - A History Maker by Alasdair Gray. Hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence!. A History Maker. Alasdair Gray. Published by Morag McAlpine, 1994. Used - Hardcover Condition: Very Good. Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. A History Maker This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . A History Maker. Alasdair Gray. Published by Morag McAlpine 06/10/1994, 1994. Used - Hardcover Condition: Very Good. Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. A History Maker [Hardcover] Gray, Alasdair. Alasdair Gray. Published by Morag McAlpine, 1994. Used - Hardcover Condition: 3. Condition: 3. PHOTOS SUR DEMANDE. A history maker. Gray, Alasdair. Published by morag mcalpine, 1994. Used - Hardcover Condition: Bon. Condition: Bon. Livre Merci, votre achat aide � financer des programmes de lutte contre l'illettrisme. Exp�dition depuis la France. Livre. A History Maker. GRAY, Alasdair: Published by Edinburgh Canongate Press, 1994. Seller: Tom Coleman, Dingwall, ROSS, United Kingdom Contact seller. Used - Hardcover. FIRST EDITION. First Impression. Hardback. Size 8 x 5 inches. Blue cloth with silver decoration and titles. Neat owner's name and date to front free endpaper. Illustrated by the author. 222 pages. Very Good in Very Good price-clipped dustwrapper. A History Maker. Gray, Alasdair. Published by Morag McAlpine 1994-10-06, 1994. Used - Hardcover Condition: Very Good. Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Item is in very good condition. If supplemental codes/CDs for textbooks are required please contact us prior to purchasing as they may be missing. Photos are stock pictures and not of the actual item. A History Maker. Gray, Alasdair. Published by Canongate Press, Edinburgh, 1994. Used - Hardcover Condition: Near Fine. Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. "Stimulated by Alan Bold's criticism that his books are insufficiently Scottish Alasdair Gray has written a tale of border warfare, military and erotic, set in the Ettrick Forest of the twenty-third century." Ships same or next business day. Spine is slightly skewed and loose, small bump on spine tail, head edge lightly tanned; otherwise, free from major defect. Dust jacket protected in archival plastic cover. ; Drawings; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 222 pages.