Book Reviews by CGS Members
For your reading lists…
A few books to enhance your background on the Grahams’ roles in support of the Scottish government and the Church. Or maybe just get the electronic version for your reference library–to have on hand to keyword search when you have a question.
First,log into your member account to access free and discounted books in our bookstore.
Clan Graham Society 50th Anniversary Commerative Publication, Lead Editor: Ekena Parkinson, BOOK REVIEWED BY Kate Graham
“This book amazed me. Ekena Parkinson, who was also the author of the Clan Graham Society 40th Anniversary book, has delivered a masterpiece and excelled in her thorough chronicling of the Clan Graham Society over the past 50 years with photographs and stories of our members and volunteers. I was totally enthralled by the content including many pictures taken at the various highland gatherings and events attended. Enjoyed reading about the many trips taken to Scotland and the places associated with the Graham heritage. You will learn about the founding of the Society by the first Chieftain, Harry Graham at the Grandfather Mountain Games and how the Society has continued to grow and flourish under the direction of our current Chieftain, Richard Graham. Every member will want to own a copy of this book to enjoy now and for many years to come.” Members, log in to download your free digital copy and purchase discounted hardcover books via our bookstore. Non-members may purchase books from Lulu.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other retailers.
GRAHAM COUNTRY By Ekena Parkinson, Kathleen Wheeless, Ila Jacox, REVIEWED BY William Graham
This book is a comprehensive overview of Graham estates and castles all over Scotland. Ila Jacox, a CGS founding member, published the first version called “”A Guide to Places in Scotland Having a Special Interest for the Grahams and Their Descendants” in 1985. Ekena Parkinson and Kathleen Wheeless did a major update in 2020, cataloguing every known Graham property or former property they could find. Complete with pictures, it makes a great reference book for research and to help plan your next trip to Scotland.
Log into your CGS Member Account to access the Free Digital Copy or to order a print book via the Graham Bookstore.
House GRAHAM: From the Antonine Wall to the Temple of Hymen By Dr. Lloyd D. Graham, BOOK REVIEWED BY Alicia Graham
This book, published in 2020, represents the first attempt to survey the entire Graham clan since noted Graham genealogist Louisa Grace Graeme in 1903 in Or and Sable. Dr. Graham begins with the first recorded Graham in Scotland, William de Graham, and using extensive historical research, and corroborating heraldry and DNA evidence, lays out the master “Graham family tree.” His graphics are easy-to-understand and help readers follow along as he tells the tales of the various Graham families. He sheds light on existing Graham origin theories and adds another of his own. I highly recommend this book for members to learn how the many Graham branches connect into the global family tree. The latest version of the e-book may be downloaded HERE. The print book is available at Lulu.com. The premium print edition is also available via Lulu.com at this direct LINK.
The Grahams of Pennsylvania and Virginia: Our Scottish History of Warriors and Saints By Alicia Graham,
REVIEWED BY Dow Graham
Usually, my Sunday afternoons are spent working on CGS genealogy file admin tasks. Today, however, I reviewed Alicia Graham’s Our Grahams of Pennsylvania and Virginia. As a detailed and extensively sourced and researched book it is a worthwhile and invaluable contribution in the quest of us Graham diaspora descendants seeking to reconnect to our ancestral roots and understanding of our Scottish heritage. Weaving the connections from her personal lineage to the supporting records of Scotland’s history and finally the growing evidence presented by DNA test results provides an enlightening, thought-provoking and meaty read.
By thoroughly tracing her branch of the Great Clan Graham employing all the tools of both traditional and genetic genealogical analysis she embodies the Clan Graham motto, “Ne Oublie” (Do Not Forget).
The e-book may be found on Google Books and the print book at Lulu.com. The discounted book is available to members only at the Graham Bookstore.
The Hunt for Rob Roy: The Man and the Myths
By David Stevenson BOOK REVIEWED BY W. JAMES (JIM) NETHERY, FSA Scot|Book Reviews
It is indeed the hunt for the historic Roy Roy MacGregor as well as the fictionalized Rob Roy that is portrayed as a great romantic figure of massive proportions and covered with red hair. From his birth in 1671 until his death in 1734 the historic Rob Roy’s life is a web of lies, contradictions and myths. He was a con man and a double agent as well as a cattle thief and kidnapper.
His primary antagonist was the 1st Duke of Montrose who had trusted him with his money to purchase cattle on a number of occasions. For sale on Amazon.com .
Contemporary Images of James Graham, Fifth Earl and the First Marquis of Montrose
By Phinella Henderson BOOK REVIEWED BY RICHARD GRAHAM
“Contemporary Images of James Graham, Fifth Earl and the First Marquis of Montrose” by Phinella Henderson I have just completed a review of a new booklet published at the expense of an admirer of the Great Marquis of Montrose, Phinella Henderson of London, England. It is entitled “Contemporary Images of James Graham, Fifth […]
The Knights Templar and Scotland
By Robert Ferguson BOOK REVIEWED BY W. JAMES (JIM) NETHERY, FSA Scot|Book Reviews
“The Knights Templar and Scotland” by Robert Ferguson started out as a question in the author’s mind and has ended up as an extensive study of the Knights Templar in Scotland. The question was “Is the phrase ‘Scotland-The Unbroken Templar Link’ true?”
The book was first published in 2004. The most recent revision was published in 2016. Both the Kindle e-book and the print book can be purchased from Amazon.com.
Want to submit a book review on related Graham or Scottish history?
Send review as a separate Word or pdf document to: info@clangrahamsociety.org
