Product Description

Robert Burns' attitude to love has been the subject of controversy for two centuries. Though the catalyst for much of his poetry, his sex life has often been denied, glossed over, even bowdlerized out of recognition. In this new study, Hugh Douglas has sought out the truth about Burns to show, behind the usual portrayal, a man who was much less secure than his actions suggest, one for whom sex was an act of rebellion as well as of love. His peasant background was a shaping force in his attitude to women. Though amorous love was the impulse which drove his to verse, his love for his children usually transcended that for their mothers. Burns called himself an 'extravagant prodigal of affection', and Hugh Douglas here looks anew at that extravagance which shaped Burns' life and poetry. He traces his relationship with women from a loving apprenticeship at his mother's knee to Jean Armour, his loyal, supportive wife. He also examines Burns' many amorous adventures: Nelly Kilpatrick, his harvest-field partner, who first inspired him to write; Highland Mary Campbell; the enigma of 'E'; Peggy Chalmers, who rejected him; Clarinda, who always held back; and Maria Riddell, who came nearest to being his intellectual equal.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2719879 in Books
• Published on: 1996-09
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 299 pages

Customer Reviews

Burns is pleased from his place in history for Mr. Douglas' biography of him!
To say the least, THE TINDER HEART is the best biography of Robert Burns ever written. I have each page tagged with "Post-It's" in order NOT to turn down the corner of a single page. I have written; however, in every available space. This book covers the essence of whom and what Robert Burns was. Hugh Douglas took the years of Burns life, broke them down into the different periods of life as to where he lived, and explained each in great detail. Timelines, to me, are of great importance. Within this portrait of Burns, the "Clarinda/Jean Armour" time period is significant. "Ae Fond Farewell" has an entire new meaning to me. One needs to read THE TINDER HEART in order to understand my comment. This is only one instance where Mr. Douglas taught me more than I would have learned from anyone else!

Not only did he do this but he also quoted from other Burns biographies. The full spectrum is awesome! I looked at some of the other authors' books but none can compare to the great writing ability of Mr. Douglas. He kept me reading from page to page without want to put this book down!

I'm sure the fact that Hugh Douglas also hails from Aryshire has a lot to do with the brilliance behind his writing this particular biography. One of my wishes in life is to meet this writer of impeccable ability and talent to make one understand the true personality of the "ploughman poet." I have gone from a beginner in knowledge of Robert Burns to an American of Scot heritage that is proud of the fact that because of THE TINDER HEART, she knows much more about the National Bard (N with a capital N, and B with a capital B) of Scotland. Many of Burns escapades aren't boasted nor toasted on Burns Night. Mr. Douglas brought to life a real man whose realism got him into trouble a lot of times but who still wrote magnificent poetry. Robert Burns was passionate not only about his women but also his children, family and friends.

If I were to choose one biography out of the lot written about Robert Burns then THE TINDER HEART by Hugh Douglas is the one to purchase! You need NOT spend your money elsewhere!

Cheers! Janet "the Other Scot"