In May 1999, Donald Dewar became First Minister of the first Scottish Parliament in almost 300 years. Tragically, he died suddenly on 11 October 2000 after just over a year in this position. Dewar was a big man in every sense of the word: in his vision for Scotland, in his love of his country and in his conviction that the purpose of the Scottish Parliament was to right the social arithmetic of Scotland. Since his untimely death five years ago, many have missed Dewar's wisdom, humanity and genuine personal humility. This collection of essays written by friends, colleagues, commentators and opponents of the man highlight all of these qualities. They also underline Dewar's achievements, remind us of what he stood for and allow us the opportunity to reflect upon his legacy and what it means to the nation today.
Wendy Alexander, who piloted this project, is MSP for Paisley North and Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde. She was a Special Adviser to Donald Dewar from 1997 and has served in the Cabinets of all three First Ministers.
"'The book investigates just about every nook and cranny of Dewar's personal and political life from his boyhood through to his life as a dedicated constituency MP, minister and eventually First Minister. The tale is told with a fondness and from some of the contributors with an honesty, that was not always apparent, as is so often the case, in the immediate period of his death'." -- Angus Macleod The Times "'Wendy Alexander has gathered a marvellous and eclectic team of (unpaid) contributors to produce a really splendid book about Donald Dewar, a book that constantly manages to be both warm and realistic'." -- Harry Reid The Glasgow Herald "'It captures the personal, witty Donald without neglecting his legendary candour, acerbic wit and glorious unconventionality'." Scotland On Sunday "'There are some gems to mine'." -- Peter MacMahon The Scotsman "'This little book is testimony to the affection and regard in which he was held...The collection of essays here makes me regret that I didn't know him better'." -- Allan Massie The Spectator
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