I just finished to read "The Watcher" for the fourth time and I'm still enchanted by the prose of Charles Maclean.
Even after four times, I keep on finding new clues, new diabolic plots. One of the best novel I've read

I read this book in 1982 and have never forgotten it. It was truly amazing. I was delighted that Amazon's were able to offer a means of obtaining it. I'm really looking forward to reading it again.

I read this book in 1985 and again in about 1992. It is one of the best, perhaps even the best, book I've ever read -and I read about 60 novels a year. I've just ordered Charles McLeans new book, Silence, and look forward to reading it but it will be hard to be as imaginative,thrilling and provoking as The Watcher

A fascinating history of a tiny island 110 miles off the coast of mainland Scotland that was evacuated in 1930 and remains a sanctuary to sea birds and a site for archaeological study. MacLean's account is extremely well-written, detailing the simple lifestyle of the people that was made unfeasible over the years by the outside world, the damage being done by everything from disease to which the islanders were not immune, overly zealous missionaries, and an undermining of the islanders' self-reliance. The last chapter, in which the author gives his opinions on utopian society as a concept is a bit dated (pub. date 1972) but overall the book is terrific.

I have read Charles Mclean's book on St Kilda many times. On one level it is a fascinating account of the inhabited history of St Kilda, a group of islands off the north western coast of Scotland whose population survived until 1930 largely independently of the mainland. On another, it is an insightful analysis of the both the durability and long-term unviability of remote communities. Mclean writes with genuine affection for St Kilda and, one detects, admiration for the physical and physchological endurance of the St Kildans. Yet he avoids overly-romanticising what was often a harsh and ultimately impossible way of life, albeit one that had survived for hundreds of years. The story of St Kilda is genuinely tragic and Mclean delicately captures the collective melancholy of a people who know that they have been overtaken by the pace and demands of modern society. His final reflections on the nature of primitive social organisation remain relevant today as society (often in the form of major oil companies) come to terms with the few remaining truly remote communities left in the world. This is a wonderful book by a gifted and learned writer. I recommend it.

thanx for tour,always browsing for something new. sorry but ill never quit sippin JACK DANIELS,the one true love. all made in of all places,the hills of Tennessee.

This is one of two "must have" books on Scotch Malt Whisky. It contains a wealth of information and is beautifully illustrated. This book contains a detailed analysis of the unique flavors in malt whisky which can be found no where else. Charles MacLean is a legend in Scotch whisky circles, and this fabulous book is his best work. If you love Malt Whisky, buy this book.

An entertaining history? An absorbing how-to? A tasting guide without the attitude? This book is a joy from start to finish, not the least because it suprises one who has become jaded from tomes on wine and spirits which are by turns tedious and elitist. Malt Whisky, by Charles MacLean, is primarily a one-stop summary of the entire range of the single-malt scotch experience, aimed at the enthusiast rather than the researcher. The first impression is of the sheer beauty of the book; the specially commissioned photographs by Jason Lowe are a marvelous treat, and the entire production is attractively laid-out and of high quality. Mr. MacLean is a writer of elegance and restrained wit, never bogged down in minutae but also never one to skip over the interesting or enlightening detail. It is a difficult balancing act, and the measure of his success is the pleasure in every sentence.

Although the book is not intended as a comprehensive reference, there is a wealth of information in the six main sections: History, How Whisky is Made, How to Enjoy Malt, The Whisky Regions, the Directory, and the Appendices. Of special note are the directory and appendices. The directory is a comprehensive list of all distilleries which are operating, silent or mothballed, as well as those closed since WWII, and includes tasting notes for selected versions of these malts. The appendices are ready for the Age of the Internet; they contain addresses and web sites for whisky societies worldwide, distilleries and retailers. They also give information on retail sources for rare and unusual bottlings, collectors' guidelines, and distilleries which give tours or welcome visitors.

Malt Whisky was a lot of fun to read, and it will continue to be both fun and useful for those who enjoy the romance of whisky and the experience of a good single-malt, but also need information to help pursue and expand their pleasure. Make a space for this on your bookshelf.

Scotch Whisky by Charles MacLean is a comprehensive guide about the different single malt and blended Scotch whiskies available. It starts with a short history about Scotch whisky and goes on to the making, the regional differences and how to appreciate this very traditional Scottish drink. This is followed by a listing of all the different single malt whiskies and blended whiskies. Each of them is listed by category, distiller and owner. There is also a description of the history of the whisky as well as tasting notes. This guide to whisky is excellent reading for those interested in whisky from the connoisseur to the enthusiastic amateur. And, of course, this book is always a superb gift which is usually very much appreciated.

An excellent little guide to the making and tasting of Scotch whisky, both single malt (81 pages) and blended (94 pages). After the introductory chapters on the history, making, and appreciation of whisky, brief (2-5 paragraphs) descriptions of each whisky are listed. There is an emphasis on the history of the distillery; this makes it an ideal travel book. The book is part of the "Mitchell-Beazley Pocket Guides," so can be kept easily in a purse or coat pocket (and, yes, the print is legible but quite small).

The tasting descriptions are generally well within the limits of reasonable subjectivity. (Example: The Macallan 12--"...usually full and well-rounded, reminiscent of old Armagnac: sherry, fruit...a hint of wood, clean, intense..."). I think Paul Pacult's "Kindred Spirits" is the better book, however: The tasting notes seem more accurate, and the grading system gives you an idea of his opinion of one scotch versus another. There is no such rating system here.

The notes are necessarily brief for a "pocket guide" and often describe only one vintage (e.g., a 12-year old). However, the notes for the notorious Laphroaig (peat smoke, tar, diesel oil, seaweed, iodine, salt") don't state whether it's the 10-, 12-, or 15-year old that is being evaluated. All in all, however, the author, a renowned authority on whisky, knows his scotch, and conveys well the essential elements of nose, body, taste, and finish.

There is a fairly heavy emphasis on the industry, including a list of top selling brands, prices fetched at auction (!), and the transfer of distillery ownership. There is a nice list of distilleries, locations, and telephone numbers for those planning a scotch tasting excursion, and a good (but dated) bibliography. Recommended particularly for those who want a portable reference book, or who have a special interest in distillery history.

This is a pocket size book with detailed descriptions of numerous Scotch Whiskies, single malts and blends. It briefly provides a history of the distillery and most helpful, detailed tasting notes on each whisky. Charles MacLean is a well known and highly respected expert in whiskies. This book makes an excellent companion to Michael Jackson's "must have" book on Single Malt Scotch Whisky giving the reader another experts perspective on the wide variety of flavors in Scotch Whisky. The print in this book is very small, at times hard to read, but the information makes it worth finding your glasses. This book is one of three books on Scotch Malt Whisky I would not want to be without. If you've come this far, buy the book, I know you'll enjoy it.

This book reveals remarkably little information that is unavailable elsewhere concerning the Cambridge Spy Ring, Philby, Burgess, McLean, Blunt and Cairncross. In fact, even the cover page alleging Modin was the controller for all five is misleading, as Modin admits he was never the controller for Philby and McLean, and in fact, only met McLean for a few minutes several years after he defected.

This book contains numerous contradictions. Modin states that the KGB files on the Five were destroyed in 1953, after McLean and Burgess defected, yet he mentions he has reviewed those files since the fall of the Soviet Union. He makes a strong point about his predecessor's negligence for meeting the agents in London pubs (lack of privacy, etc...) and claims he never ever met any of his agents in pubs. However, he later in the book mentions that he met Blunt in a pub when the art historian/spy was in the process of retiring from active duty for the KGB. Additionally, Modin and/or his editors repeatedly confuse MI5 and MI6, such that some statements he makes are difficult to comprehend because of the uncertainty of which branch of the British intelligence service is being referenced.

Modin discusses remarkably few technical details about his roll as the controller of the spy ring, mentioning only his precautions in going to a meet. He also mentions a few details about his friendships with Burgess and Philby after they defected to Moscow, but essentially, that is all the insider information that he shares. Modin does not reveal even the topics that he or Philby tought as instructors at the KGB academy. I got the very strong impression that either Modin has lost most of his memory, or has remained deliberately vague out of loyalty to the former KGB and Soviet Union.

A better set of books on this topic would be KGB: The Inside Story by Andrew and Gordievsky; Mask of Treachery by Costello; The Master Spy by Knightly; and Spycatcher by Wright.

Yuri Modin controlled most of the Cambridge Spies in England during the 50's and he gives his account of their information and personal habits. Modin's account is the only one of its kind, and definitely should be read. Despite the fact that there are so many book on the subject, this one is great and above all others. The way Modin arranged their defection to Russia is incredible. This story is a must or all interested in English and Soveit espionage during the Cold War.

The plot held my interest...but the style of writing was frequently confusing and vague. And by the way...the song is HANG ON SLOOPY, not SNOOPY. As I was reading it, I was thinking I would wind up hating it -- but if you can concentrate on the story and not the way it's told, it's definitely worth reading.