coverTOcover WORDS MORAG THORBURN & ANNA-KARIN JALMBRANT Tomorrow you die
BY ANDY COOGAN MAINSTREAM, HARDBACK £18.99
Born in Glasgow in 1917 and raised in the
Gorbals, Andy Coogan served in the Second World War and was captured during the fall of Singapore. He was imprisoned for three and a half years, and before he became a slave in Taiwan, he was held in the notorious Changi camp. This is his story, and it’s a terrifying tale describing the cruelty he faced as a Japanese prisoner of war. But more importantly, it is a story of camaraderie and survival. Coogan is Chris Hoy’s uncle and was
a promising runner and athlete. Now 95-years-
old, he carried the Olympic torch this summer in recognition of a lifetime’s service to athletics. Running was an important part of his life early on and, along with the tales told of his homeland of Scotland and the friendships he establishes at war with fellow soldiers, running is one of the main things that keeps him alive during his time in captivity. His running became
‘When feeling lost and alone, the stories and songs of Scotland gave him and his fellow prisoners the strength they needed to keep going and not give up’
common ground between him and a Japanese guard and it kept him going through the many days when he felt hopeless and desperate. Even though the book focuses on the subject of war, Coogan’s writing has a way of drawing you in. He takes you to a place where death is an everyday occurance, and you live in fear of losing your family and friends. It’s also a celebration of Scotland and the spirit of the country. When feeling lost and alone, the stories and songs of Scotland gave Coogan and his fellow prisoners the strength they needed to keep going and not give up. The cruelty and abuse, mental and physical, meted out by Japanese
guards is shocking and disturbing, making the reader question their humanity. Guards repeatedly threatened him with execution and twice made Coogan dig his own grave. When working down a mine, many men were lost or injured, but no compassion was shown by the guards. ‘We were not allowed to dig Doc’s body out until the shift had fi nished: neither the injured nor the dead were allowed out of the pit until the work was over for the day.’ In the midst of his despair he writes of a parcel sent to him by his mother,
a Christmas kit that included warm winter clothing. The maternal concern that he might be cold – in the heat of the tropics – brought a smile to his lips even as the parcel reminded him of the compassion of those at home. The daily struggle continued once he was back home. As with so many
who have experienced war, he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Coogan explains this common ‘side effect’ of war in the hope that it may help others recognise their problems with PTSD and persuade them to get the help they need. Coogan’s tale of loneliness and abandonment was written partly to let others who are still suffering know that they are not alone. By giving us a glimpse of how to survive in the most diffi cult of circumstances, helped by the strength of his resolve and help from the most unexpected places, his story should be an inspiration to us all.
188
WWW.SCOTTISHFIELD.CO.UK
THE POCKET BOOK OF SCOTTISH QUOTATIONS BY DAVID
ROSS, BIRLINN, PAPERBACK £7.99
A wonderful collection of quotations that capture
the essence of the people and
land of Scotland. Find quotes from, and about, Scottish family, social life, religion, friends, enemies, insults, places, politics, protest, the land and well known people. The chapter on Robert Burns covers some of his famous quotations and what others have said about him. It is a great insight into Scottish culture in a way that should appeal to people of all ages and nationalities.
TRAVELS IN SCOTLAND 1788 - 1881: A SELECTION FROM
CONTEMPORARY TOURIST JOURNALS BY ALASTAIR J DURIE, BOYDELL
PRESS, HARDBACK £25
Explore Scottish tourism in the 18th and 19th century. This book follows different travellers on their journeys and holidaymaking throughout Scotland. Each travel journal starts by introducing the person who wrote it, which makes it easy to follow. This book is a great way to explore Scottish life and nature over 200 years ago. These journals give the reader an idea of how various different members of society travelled, from the intrepid lady to the middle-aged lawyer, and simultabneously reminds us how much the way we holiday has changed.
FIELDONLINE
TO COMMENT VISIT THE LINK TO FACEBOOK OR TWITTER AT
WWW.SCOTTISHFIELD.CO.UK
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