Master of Ballantrae

Historical novel set in 1745, about the conflict between two brothers, Scottish noblemen. According to the author: 'Here is a tale which extends over many years and travels into many countries. By a peculiar fitness of circumstance the writer began, continued it, and concluded it among distant and diverse scenes. Above all, he was much upon the sea. The character and fortune of the fraternal enemies, the hall and shrubbery of urrisdeer, the problem of Mackellar's homespun and how to shape it for superior flights; these were his company on deck in many star-reflecting harbours, ran often in his mind at sea to the tune of slatting canvas, and were dismissed (something of the suddenest) on theapproach of squalls. It is my hope that these surroundings of its manufacture may to some degree find favour for my story with seafarers and sea-lovers like yourselves.' According to Wikipedia: 'Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson (13 November 1850-3 December 1894), was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. He was the man who 'seemed to pick the right word up on the point of his pen, like a man playing spillikins', as G. K. Chesterton put it.'