Scottish – Michael Diamond, Adv.

Of Scotland, Jews, Palestine, and an excellent Glasgow Novelist

March 17, 2015October 16, 2014 by Michael Diamond

Several months ago I wrote a post about J. David Simons highly-acclaimed books, The Credit Draper and The Liberation of Celia Khan – describing the lives of Jewish immigrants to Scotland at the turn of last century. Back then, I mentioned they were the first two books of a trilogy, the last of which – The Land Agent – was due out in October.

Little did I realise that by writing the blog, I’d find myself a few months later, the proud recipient of an advance copy of The Land Agent, forwarded to me by the author “solely for the purpose of providing an online review of the book to coincide with its launch on 22nd October 2014.” (Even my request to share it with Significant Other was politely declined).

I’m apparently “under no obligation to provide a positive review.” 🙂

Brilliant novels set in Jewish Glasgow

March 16, 2014March 16, 2014 by Michael Diamond

A few months ago I wrote about the publication of Jewish Glasgow and to my great surprise, the post was read by more than 1,000 people (probably expat. Scottish Jews) around the world. I’m hoping this post will reach the same audience, as the work I’m about to describe deserves at least the same praise.

“David Simons has become a famous author,” declared an old friend at the dinner table during my recent visit to Glasgow.

I’m always interested in a good read – irresistible if the author is someone I know.

That evening, I powered up my Kindle and searched for J. David Simons.

For the bargain price of only $4, I downloaded The Credit Draper – and was hooked by the end of page one.

My Community of Jews in Kilts

October 13, 2015November 25, 2013 by Michael Diamond

I would never have imagined myself sitting in the darkened carriage of a late-night Haifa-bound train, peering excitedly at old photographs through the dull glow of a tiny illuminated magnifying glass. But there we were, hunched over, heads together, Significant Other and myself (two ex-Glaswegians) poring over faces and places, looking for something familiar, or a family likeness among the crowds.

Launch of Jewish Glasgow, Tel Aviv November 2013

We had just attended the launch in the Diaspora Museum at Tel Aviv University of “Jewish Glasgow – an Illustrated History” published by the Scottish Jewish Archive Centre in Glasgow.