By Bella Bathurst
Reviewed by Sharma Krauskopf and rated

Most of us are familiar with Robert Louis Stevenson and his novels. What we may not know is that Robert's family was famous for another activity - building lighthouses. Robert Louis Stevenson's grandfather, Robert Stevenson, was one of the most famous builder's of lighthouses in the world. Robert Stevenson established a dynasty who for four generations would build lighthouses for Scotland's Northern Lighthouse Board. Ms. Bathurst tells the story of a Robert Stevenson that very few knew. A man driven by wanting to do good but whose desire for perfection and control made him difficult. His most famous lighthouse is Bell Rock. His genius was tested by building a lighthouse in such an isolated location fourteen miles from the nearest land. But build he did and the details of that construction are a exciting and fascinating part of this book.

Robert Stevenson forced his sons into lighthouse engineering no matter what their interests. The book follows each of the sons careers. It seems each of them had a major challenge during their career. For Allan it was the building of Skerryvore off of the end of Tiree which is know as 'the most beautiful lighthouse in the world.' For David it was the building of Muckle Flugga at the northern most point of Britain on the Shetland Islands. Thomas built Dhu Heartach which his son immortalized in Kidnapped.

I have given this 284 page hardback book 4 thistles because it is an exciting story of an real but unusual family and the text reads like a good novel. If you are interested in lighthouses this is a book that you should have in your library.

or you can phone or send cash by going here.