God, the poet and the Devil - Donald Smith

This is the story of a fascinating life lived fast, shedding new light on Robert Burns's beliefs, politics, social interactions and the great contradiction between this deeply moral man and his notoriously libertarian lifestyle. Understanding the role of Christianity in eighteenth-century Scotland is key to understanding the enigma that is Burns. Equally, his poetry provides penetrating insights into religious life in Scotland and religion in general. Told chronologically, this story recounts Burns's life from his family's background in Mearns to his early death in Dumfries and his influence beyond. Integral to Burns's life was his relationship with God and religion and the fascinating dilemma of how he reconciled his faith with his lifestyle.