Iain Banks is a scotch expert?

[dwndrgn]

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?id=31745

[Green]

Reading Raw Spirit made me wish I liked whiskey.

[Dave]

I already liked whisky, but this book really made my go out and try different single malts. I've since decided that I prefer a drier heather moors whisky, over a seashore salty whisky, but I would never have made that distinction before.

The book also gives great insights into the author himself. His car crash, which is obviously the inspiration for 'The Bridge', and his strong political views that come across more in his general fiction writings than in his science fiction.

[Matt Burnham]

I liked the book very much, though sometimes he comes across as being a bit smug (like when he talks about all his cars and how little he works for so much money.) He's still a great writer, but i think in his fiction he pays more attention to his style. This one is a bit... casually written.

[MeccaJoost]

They have a fair few drams in Dead Air (even though it's based in London) and the Scottish characters in it clearly know their whiskey

[gully_foyle]

I love his SF, but I found this a bit dull. I also found the idea of protesting the Iraq war whilst driving a Landrover Defender, amongst other oil guzzling behemoths, a bit galling.

Maybe one day I'll make it to Scotland, then I think it would be pretty useful as a guide book.

[iansales]

Originally Posted by gully_foyle

I also found the idea of protesting the Iraq war whilst driving a Landrover Defender, amongst other oil guzzling behemoths...

I'm not sure I follow the logic of that. Could you explain?

[gully_foyle]

The Iraq war was pretty much about trying to secure one of the last big oil reserves in the middle east. Banks made a bit of a point about attaching signs saying "Not in my name" to the top of his Landrover Defender in the opening chapters of this book. I think it's a bit hypocritical to flaunt your love of such machines, but protest a war for oil in that fashion.

I've since heard he got rid of the Landrover, the xjs and the M5 and got a Lexus hybrid. So perhaps he saw it too.

[iansales]

Not sure I agree with that. It's a bit like refusing to eat oranges because you hate Zionists. Jaffa is not the only place that grows oranges. And there are plenty of other nations which produce oil. Wouldn't it be less hypocritical to boycott US products?

[gully_foyle]

Maybe when the world starts to run low on oranges, and we go to war with Israel to ensure the supply of oranges so we can all boast how incredibly revved up on vitamin C we are, then I would consider moving on to an alternative source of vitamin C, like blackcurrant juice.

The culture of the automobile is one of the causes of the world's problems.

To quote "Big cars are the last expression of a dying civilisation" or something to that effect. Zorg in Betty Blue

or

"The more you drive... the less intelligent you are." Miller in Repo Man.

[Dave]

He was writing a book about Scotch Whisky, driving all over Scotland for several weeks, up and down isolated Glens, probably on single track roads, possibly not metaled, carrying the luggage and equipment he would need for that period of time, and you expected him to do it on a bicycle?

[gully_foyle]

No, but I had the feeling that if he was offered an Urban Assault Vehicle he wouldna said nae.

[Who's Wee Dug]

Originally Posted by Green

Reading Raw Spirit made me wish I liked whiskey.

If you liked Whiskey it would be the Irish stuff.

The Scotch ie WHISKY what Banksie is writing about is Scottish no e and he does like a dram or three.

[bruno-1012]

Could be worse WWD - they could have suggested it was bourbon or southern comfort!