Edinburgh International Book Festival 2019 Highlights 10–12 August

Gideon Rachman, Andrew Wilson & Lea Ypi: Follow the Leader Putin, Trump, Erdogan. Why are authoritarian leaders on the rise? Our panel explores their impact on the lives of citizens. Prize-winning journalist Gideon Rachman surveys leadership cults across the globe in The Age of the Strongman; Eastern Europe… Colm Tóibín: The Call Of Home One of our finest contemporary writers, Colm Tóibín returns with Long Island: sequel to prize-winning masterpiece, Brooklyn. Penned with characteristic wit, compassion, and quietude, the novel reunites with Eilis Fiorello who is compelled to return to… Edinburgh International Book Festival 2019 Highlights 10–12 August The fantastic first few days featuring visits from Tim Winton, DeRay Mackesson, Malorie Blackman and more… Jess Phillips: A Breath of Fresh Air ‘Your leader was beaten by a woman who was beaten by a lettuce’ – so begins a recent online-retort from Labour’s Jess Phillips in typically direct style. One of the nation’s most outspoken MPs, Phillips stands out for her integrity. She talks to Liz Lloyd… Robin Robertson & Tim Robertson: Spirits of Scotland Haunting, elemental and deeply charged, Robin Robertson’s writing evokes the mythology of landscapes and people, whether in Scotland or elsewhere. Most of his work takes the form of shorter poems and a new book, Grimoire, brings together some of Robertson’… Jeremy Corbyn with Yanis Varoufakis (2018 Event) The remarkable transformation of the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn caught commentators by surprise. Against a backdrop of mainstream media scepticism, Corbyn galvanised his grassroots support and denied Theresa May an overall majority at the last… Richard Holloway - 2009 launch video The launch of the 2009 Edinburgh International Book Festival programme was held in the Signet Library in Edinburgh on 11 June… Sara Sheridan: On the Scent of Untold Riches There cannot be many novelists in the world who have a sideline in perfume production, but Sara Sheridan is one of them. The Edinburgh-based author runs a company named Reek whose scents celebrate ‘powerful, unapologetic women’ and their often-overlooked… Alan Cumming (2016 Event) Dividing his time between New York and Hollywood, one of our best-kent Scottish actors has found himself at the centre of an impressive collection of scenes, scrapes and scraps in the world of showbiz. Alan Cumming has now gathered some of his best… UNBOUND: Kristin Hersh Founder of iconic alt-rock band Throwing Muses, lead singer of the punk-tinged 50 Foot Wave, revered solo artist and now author…