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Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps: A Life of John Buchan
John Buchan's name is known across the world for The Thirty-Nine Steps. In the past one hundred years the classic thriller has never been out of print and has inspired numerous adaptations for film, television, radio and stage, beginning with the celebrated version by Alfred Hitchcock. Yet there was vastly more to 'JB'. He wrote more than a hundred books – fiction and non-fiction – and a thousand articles for newspapers and magazines. He was a scholar, antiquarian, barrister, colonial administrator, journal editor, literary critic, publisher, war correspondent, director of wartime propaganda, member of parliament and imperial proconsul – given a state funeral when he died, a deeply admired and loved Governor-General of Canada.His teenage years in Glasgow's Gorbals, where his father was the Free Church minister, contributed to his ease with shepherds and ambassadors, fur-trappers and prime ministers. His improbable marriage to a member of the aristocratic Grosvenor family means that this account of his life contains, at its heart, an enduring love story.Ursula Buchan, his granddaughter, has drawn on recently discovered family documents to write this comprehensive and illuminating biography. With perception, style, wit and a penetratingly clear eye, she brings vividly to life this remarkable man and his times.
491 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2019
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November 3, 2020
Here he lay in state, guarded by four soldiers of the Governor General's Foot Guards and 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, including his own son Alistair, who kept a constant vigil with heads bowed and swords reversed.
A special funeral train had brought his body back to Ottawa, where it laid in state in the Senate chamber after his coffin had been escorted to Parliament Hill by soldiers from the two regiments. His coffin was draped with the Union Flag and on it rested his official Governor General’s hat and sword with his medals and honours on a black satin cloth at the opposite end.
On 14th February 1940, little over a week since he collapsed he was given a state funeral at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Wellington Street. Three thousand servicemen lined the route of the funeral cortege as his coffin was brought to the church from Parliament Hill by car. After the funeral service led by Reverend Alexander Ferguson, the coffin was taken to Union Station on a naval gun carriage pulled by 60 ratings from the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. The chimes on the Peace Tower were muffled. Some 50,000 people packed every inch of the short route to the train station and his eventual cremation.
It was a fine end for the man from the Smeaton Road in Kircaldy close to the Nairn & Company's linoleum factory.
John Buchan had begun his life in the small manse (a house provided by the church for the minister) the same year his father and mother had settled into it 1875. The connection with religion, family and Scotland was to stay with JB (his later affectionate family name) all his life, including to his very end, serving from 1935-40 as the most successful and possibly influential Governor General of Canada ever.
Ursula Buchan's story of her grandfather is a fine piece of research and writing that brings to life a man of many achievements respected by ordinary folk through to royalty and presidents. This story is told with much colour and indeed feeling, but is not hagiography or treacly in its telling, and we are left with a view that JB not only made his mark as a best-selling author of fiction as well as other works, but as a member of parliament, editor, literary critic and WWI British director of war time propaganda/information. He was also a loyal friend, wise companion and valued opinion former having friendships from school and Oxford university days through to his service in South Africa during the second Boer war and after to his work as a writer, editor, director and on to politics.
Relationships and friendships are as central to this story as is his writing and we read of times, family and friends' deaths from age, illness and war as well as family plans, parental opinions and life as a businessman.
JB was hugely influential is his years, especially those as governor general in Canada as the second world war approached. He was instrumental in George VI's visit and the programme whilst he was there; for both the king and his queen, Elizabeth (later HM Queen Mother) and Canada this was a huge success and built much love between both, interestingly including the French portions. He had had a good relationship with George's father (HM George V) and continued this with his son; he was far less keen on David (Edward VIII). JB's relationship and friendship with FDR was also one of great importance and allowed both men to use each other for advice and back-channel diplomacy as war clouds grew and then burst. FDR wanted JB to be British Ambassador to the US but this was not to be.
This book is a rewarding tale about a great man told with love, verve and interesting information. "It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken.” Mr. Standfast by John Buchan.
Edited to correct a couple of spelling howlers.
A special funeral train had brought his body back to Ottawa, where it laid in state in the Senate chamber after his coffin had been escorted to Parliament Hill by soldiers from the two regiments. His coffin was draped with the Union Flag and on it rested his official Governor General’s hat and sword with his medals and honours on a black satin cloth at the opposite end.
On 14th February 1940, little over a week since he collapsed he was given a state funeral at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Wellington Street. Three thousand servicemen lined the route of the funeral cortege as his coffin was brought to the church from Parliament Hill by car. After the funeral service led by Reverend Alexander Ferguson, the coffin was taken to Union Station on a naval gun carriage pulled by 60 ratings from the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. The chimes on the Peace Tower were muffled. Some 50,000 people packed every inch of the short route to the train station and his eventual cremation.
It was a fine end for the man from the Smeaton Road in Kircaldy close to the Nairn & Company's linoleum factory.
John Buchan had begun his life in the small manse (a house provided by the church for the minister) the same year his father and mother had settled into it 1875. The connection with religion, family and Scotland was to stay with JB (his later affectionate family name) all his life, including to his very end, serving from 1935-40 as the most successful and possibly influential Governor General of Canada ever.
Ursula Buchan's story of her grandfather is a fine piece of research and writing that brings to life a man of many achievements respected by ordinary folk through to royalty and presidents. This story is told with much colour and indeed feeling, but is not hagiography or treacly in its telling, and we are left with a view that JB not only made his mark as a best-selling author of fiction as well as other works, but as a member of parliament, editor, literary critic and WWI British director of war time propaganda/information. He was also a loyal friend, wise companion and valued opinion former having friendships from school and Oxford university days through to his service in South Africa during the second Boer war and after to his work as a writer, editor, director and on to politics.
Relationships and friendships are as central to this story as is his writing and we read of times, family and friends' deaths from age, illness and war as well as family plans, parental opinions and life as a businessman.
JB was hugely influential is his years, especially those as governor general in Canada as the second world war approached. He was instrumental in George VI's visit and the programme whilst he was there; for both the king and his queen, Elizabeth (later HM Queen Mother) and Canada this was a huge success and built much love between both, interestingly including the French portions. He had had a good relationship with George's father (HM George V) and continued this with his son; he was far less keen on David (Edward VIII). JB's relationship and friendship with FDR was also one of great importance and allowed both men to use each other for advice and back-channel diplomacy as war clouds grew and then burst. FDR wanted JB to be British Ambassador to the US but this was not to be.
This book is a rewarding tale about a great man told with love, verve and interesting information. "It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken.” Mr. Standfast by John Buchan.
Edited to correct a couple of spelling howlers.
April 18, 2019
Ursula Buchan’s biography of her grandfather does exactly what its title suggests. It looks beyond the author of the well-known novel to the man whose career encompassed politics, the law, publishing, journalism and public office as well as authorship of over a hundred books. It also provides a touching portrait of John Buchan the family man and husband.
There is limited exposition of Buchan’s works of fiction and non-fiction but what there is is even-handed, offering both praise and criticism where appropriate. For example, Ursula Buchan describes Prester John as ‘well-nigh unreadable now’, confirming my opinion of the book which I re-read and reviewed recently. On the other hand, she is an enthusiastic advocate for John Buchan’s historical novels, such as Midwinter and The Blanket of the Dark (her own personal recommendations), regretting they are not more widely read and appreciated.
The author addresses the accusations of ‘jingoism’ that have been directed at John Buchan’s books (I suspect by those who have not read many of them) producing convincing evidence to rebut them. She also presents a similarly stout defence of the claims of anti-Semitism made against him, pointing out he was friends with many prominent Jews, including the first President of Israel. On the other hand, she is not afraid to criticize where appropriate. For instance, noting John Buchan’s propensity for small acts of vanity and that on occasions his sense of family duty could cloud his judgment.
The author rejects the notion that John Buchan married Susan Grosvenor for social position, arguing it was a true love match. This becomes evident from the excerpts from their touching letters to each other. In fact, one of the many things I liked about the book is the way Ursula Buchan brings Susan ‘into the light’, as she puts it. For example, she writes sensitively about Susan’s initial problems adjusting to her very public role as wife of the Governor-General of Canada and her struggles with depression.
The chapter covering the First World War encompasses both John Buchan’s official roles in intelligence and propaganda and the tragic personal losses his family, like so many others, experienced. One of my favourite Buchan novels, Mr. Standfast, was his personal literary contribution to the propaganda effort, intended to influence public opinion at home.
What I always find amazing about John Buchan is his sheer industry and I loved this description of a typical day whilst living at Elsfield, the family’s country home near Oxford. ‘In the spring and summer, at weekends, he would ride out in the early morning but be back for family prayers before breakfast… On Saturdays, he started writing punctually at nine o’clock and worked steadily until lunchtime… He did not work in the afternoons – that was the time for walking, playing with the children or energetic gardening – but he would go back to his desk after tea for a couple of hours… On Sundays after church, if no-one was staying, he would go for a very long walk, wearing his oldest tweeds. A thirty-mile round trip via Brill was not unusual.’ This is on top of taking the train to London each morning during the week to pursue his business interests.
He also possessed the gift of a remarkable memory. For example, whilst Governor-General of Canada, the author describes how he would dictate speeches to his secretary which would be typed up and given to the press in advance of speaking engagements. He would then deliver the speech, without notes, rarely diverging from the printed script.
The author describes how John Buchan’s travels to the north of Canada whilst Governor-General provided inspiration for, in my opinion, his finest book, Sick Heart River, featuring the final appearance of Sir Edward Leithen (who Ursula Buchan revealed is her favourite of her grandfather’s characters). At the time he was writing the book, he was suffering from particularly poor health and world affairs were dominated by the threat of war. Ursula Buchan describes how Buchan’s extensive network of contacts and behind the scenes influence resulted in, for example, a visit by the King and Queen to Canada and, importantly, to the United States. As she notes, ‘The mutual regard and respect between King and President [Roosevelt] were to prove very beneficial during the war years’.
Although you know it’s coming, I still found myself deeply moved by the description of John Buchan’s sudden death and the outpouring of national grief that followed. Given the ending of Mr. Standfast always leaves me slightly teary, you can imagine how affected I was by learning that the address given at John Buchan’s funeral ended with the description of Mr Valiant-for-Truth in Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress which Richard Hannay reads over the grave of a friend in Mr. Standfast: ‘So he passed over and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.’
Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps is clearly the product of diligent and exhaustive research, witnessed by the extensive notes and references that account for over 80 pages of the book. Even for someone like myself familiar with John Buchan’s life from previous biographies by Janet Adam Smith and Andrew Lownie, Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps still gave me fresh perspective and fascinating nuggets of new (to me) information. For example, that there might have been film adaptations of other Buchan books had not his appointment as Governor-General of Canada put an end to any discussion of film deals. Or that the book Alfred Hitchcock initially wanted to adapt for film was Greenmantle rather than The Thirty-Nine Steps.
For those whose only knowledge of John Buchan is from the book The Thirty-Nine Steps or the film adaptations of it, I can wholeheartedly recommend this fascinating, very readable biography of a man who packed a massive amount into a relatively short life.
I was lucky enough to hear Ursula talk about her book at this year’s Oxford Literary Festival and to have a few words with her afterwards as she signed my copy of her book. During the Q&A session that followed Ursula’s talk, she was asked the very good question (not by me, I regret) whether she’d found it hard to retain the objectivity required of a biographer given her personal connection to her subject. She said she liked to think that she hadn’t held back where her grandfather may have fallen short, although it will be plain she admired him and had been inspired by his hard work, high principles and courage in the face of illness. Ursula Buchan concluded her talk by saying that, although her grandfather died before she was born, through writing his biography, she’d felt she could almost touch him ‘across the void of time and space’. I have to say I got the same feeling from reading this book.
There is limited exposition of Buchan’s works of fiction and non-fiction but what there is is even-handed, offering both praise and criticism where appropriate. For example, Ursula Buchan describes Prester John as ‘well-nigh unreadable now’, confirming my opinion of the book which I re-read and reviewed recently. On the other hand, she is an enthusiastic advocate for John Buchan’s historical novels, such as Midwinter and The Blanket of the Dark (her own personal recommendations), regretting they are not more widely read and appreciated.
The author addresses the accusations of ‘jingoism’ that have been directed at John Buchan’s books (I suspect by those who have not read many of them) producing convincing evidence to rebut them. She also presents a similarly stout defence of the claims of anti-Semitism made against him, pointing out he was friends with many prominent Jews, including the first President of Israel. On the other hand, she is not afraid to criticize where appropriate. For instance, noting John Buchan’s propensity for small acts of vanity and that on occasions his sense of family duty could cloud his judgment.
The author rejects the notion that John Buchan married Susan Grosvenor for social position, arguing it was a true love match. This becomes evident from the excerpts from their touching letters to each other. In fact, one of the many things I liked about the book is the way Ursula Buchan brings Susan ‘into the light’, as she puts it. For example, she writes sensitively about Susan’s initial problems adjusting to her very public role as wife of the Governor-General of Canada and her struggles with depression.
The chapter covering the First World War encompasses both John Buchan’s official roles in intelligence and propaganda and the tragic personal losses his family, like so many others, experienced. One of my favourite Buchan novels, Mr. Standfast, was his personal literary contribution to the propaganda effort, intended to influence public opinion at home.
What I always find amazing about John Buchan is his sheer industry and I loved this description of a typical day whilst living at Elsfield, the family’s country home near Oxford. ‘In the spring and summer, at weekends, he would ride out in the early morning but be back for family prayers before breakfast… On Saturdays, he started writing punctually at nine o’clock and worked steadily until lunchtime… He did not work in the afternoons – that was the time for walking, playing with the children or energetic gardening – but he would go back to his desk after tea for a couple of hours… On Sundays after church, if no-one was staying, he would go for a very long walk, wearing his oldest tweeds. A thirty-mile round trip via Brill was not unusual.’ This is on top of taking the train to London each morning during the week to pursue his business interests.
He also possessed the gift of a remarkable memory. For example, whilst Governor-General of Canada, the author describes how he would dictate speeches to his secretary which would be typed up and given to the press in advance of speaking engagements. He would then deliver the speech, without notes, rarely diverging from the printed script.
The author describes how John Buchan’s travels to the north of Canada whilst Governor-General provided inspiration for, in my opinion, his finest book, Sick Heart River, featuring the final appearance of Sir Edward Leithen (who Ursula Buchan revealed is her favourite of her grandfather’s characters). At the time he was writing the book, he was suffering from particularly poor health and world affairs were dominated by the threat of war. Ursula Buchan describes how Buchan’s extensive network of contacts and behind the scenes influence resulted in, for example, a visit by the King and Queen to Canada and, importantly, to the United States. As she notes, ‘The mutual regard and respect between King and President [Roosevelt] were to prove very beneficial during the war years’.
Although you know it’s coming, I still found myself deeply moved by the description of John Buchan’s sudden death and the outpouring of national grief that followed. Given the ending of Mr. Standfast always leaves me slightly teary, you can imagine how affected I was by learning that the address given at John Buchan’s funeral ended with the description of Mr Valiant-for-Truth in Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress which Richard Hannay reads over the grave of a friend in Mr. Standfast: ‘So he passed over and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.’
Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps is clearly the product of diligent and exhaustive research, witnessed by the extensive notes and references that account for over 80 pages of the book. Even for someone like myself familiar with John Buchan’s life from previous biographies by Janet Adam Smith and Andrew Lownie, Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps still gave me fresh perspective and fascinating nuggets of new (to me) information. For example, that there might have been film adaptations of other Buchan books had not his appointment as Governor-General of Canada put an end to any discussion of film deals. Or that the book Alfred Hitchcock initially wanted to adapt for film was Greenmantle rather than The Thirty-Nine Steps.
For those whose only knowledge of John Buchan is from the book The Thirty-Nine Steps or the film adaptations of it, I can wholeheartedly recommend this fascinating, very readable biography of a man who packed a massive amount into a relatively short life.
I was lucky enough to hear Ursula talk about her book at this year’s Oxford Literary Festival and to have a few words with her afterwards as she signed my copy of her book. During the Q&A session that followed Ursula’s talk, she was asked the very good question (not by me, I regret) whether she’d found it hard to retain the objectivity required of a biographer given her personal connection to her subject. She said she liked to think that she hadn’t held back where her grandfather may have fallen short, although it will be plain she admired him and had been inspired by his hard work, high principles and courage in the face of illness. Ursula Buchan concluded her talk by saying that, although her grandfather died before she was born, through writing his biography, she’d felt she could almost touch him ‘across the void of time and space’. I have to say I got the same feeling from reading this book.
May 21, 2019
Wow – what a fascinating book! I was lucky enough to meet the author, Ursula Buchan, at an event in Glasgow and have a chat with her and get my book signed. We were privileged to get the first advance copies of the book as well. I have read most of John Buchan’s work over many years, all the novels and some of his other books and as many of the autobiographical works that I could get hold of. So the information in this book was not new to me, but the way it was written was quite new. Ursula writes very well, keeping your interest in whichever subject she is touching upon, even the political stuff which for me personally is quite dry. As John Buchan’s granddaughter you might be forgiven for thinking that she is biased, but the information given is fair and as accurate as she can make it, taken from hundreds of letters and other documents. She paints a fascinating story as she moves through the years and I loved the little personal snippets that she includes from talking to her grandmother, Susie and these give the book that edge over perhaps other biographies. I took a while to read it as I wanted to savour the moments and reflect on them, but it was well worth it and has re-ignited the passion that I had for John Buchan’s books and his honest goodness and charm that shines through all of them.
June 21, 2020
When I was still a working vicar, one of the parishes I ministered to was Elsfield, where John Buchan lived happily for many years, worshipped in the parish church (although his upbringing was Presbyterian Church of Scotland), and is buried. So how could I not buy this book when I saw it, newly published, in our excellent independent local bookshop, The Book House?
John Buchan was a scarily brilliant genius: this account written by his granddaughter leaves you breathless at the amount of work that he achieved. Not only as a novelist, writer of the popular and well-known 'shockers' like The Thirty-Nine Steps and also of meticulously researched and insightful biographies (of Sir Walter Scott, Montrose, Augustus Caesar, among others) and a multi-volume history of the Great War. But also as Director of Information (Allied propaganda) during the Great War of 1914-1918, MP, friend and confidant of many of the leading literary figures of the early 20th century, as well as two Prime Ministers, and finally Governor-General of Canada from 1935 until his death in 1940.
Highly recommended.
John Buchan was a scarily brilliant genius: this account written by his granddaughter leaves you breathless at the amount of work that he achieved. Not only as a novelist, writer of the popular and well-known 'shockers' like The Thirty-Nine Steps and also of meticulously researched and insightful biographies (of Sir Walter Scott, Montrose, Augustus Caesar, among others) and a multi-volume history of the Great War. But also as Director of Information (Allied propaganda) during the Great War of 1914-1918, MP, friend and confidant of many of the leading literary figures of the early 20th century, as well as two Prime Ministers, and finally Governor-General of Canada from 1935 until his death in 1940.
Highly recommended.
November 14, 2022
Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps: A Life of John Buchan by Ursula Buchan (2019) is a richly detailed portrait of her grandfather's artistic and political life. She focuses on his family, religious, and class milieu.
The process by which a talented "grammar school boy" is groomed for varied positions of high responsibility in the ruling class is a recurrent theme in Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps.
J. B. (as he is called throughout) was always happiest and healthiest on the move. Already, in college, he found freelance work as a book reviewer. John Lane of Bodley Head paid him for weekly reports on submitted manuscripts. Buchan simultaneously studied Latin and wrote his first pieces of fiction.
After college, writing was braided with official and NGO assignments in South Africa. After Africa, he became a partner in the Edinburgh publisher Thomas Nelson; by 1914 he was head of their London office.
When war was declared, Buchan continued his publishing responsibilities. He also headed-up government propaganda aimed at the US and "non-aligned nations'' within the catch-22 asylum of the Lloyd George government bureaucracy. In addition to overseeing a continuing series of instant-history war books for Thomas Nelson, he also wrote two sublime thrillers, Greenmantle and Mr. Stanfast.
This three-careers-simultaneously level of activity would continue until J. B. 's death in 1940.
Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps is a fine and professional book, exciting and balanced.
* * * *
In 1896. in "The Scholar Gypsies" Buchan wrote:
"He whose aim is high, whose mark is in the clouds, who presses hot-foot on the race, will make light of the sudden darkness which obscures his aim for the moment, the sudden ditch into which he stumbles ere he can climb up the other side. He has no thought of death. He cares not a jot for negatives when he has the burning positive of fiery energy within him; and confident of immortality, he lays aside the mortal and passes beneath the archway."
The process by which a talented "grammar school boy" is groomed for varied positions of high responsibility in the ruling class is a recurrent theme in Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps.
J. B. (as he is called throughout) was always happiest and healthiest on the move. Already, in college, he found freelance work as a book reviewer. John Lane of Bodley Head paid him for weekly reports on submitted manuscripts. Buchan simultaneously studied Latin and wrote his first pieces of fiction.
After college, writing was braided with official and NGO assignments in South Africa. After Africa, he became a partner in the Edinburgh publisher Thomas Nelson; by 1914 he was head of their London office.
When war was declared, Buchan continued his publishing responsibilities. He also headed-up government propaganda aimed at the US and "non-aligned nations'' within the catch-22 asylum of the Lloyd George government bureaucracy. In addition to overseeing a continuing series of instant-history war books for Thomas Nelson, he also wrote two sublime thrillers, Greenmantle and Mr. Stanfast.
This three-careers-simultaneously level of activity would continue until J. B. 's death in 1940.
Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps is a fine and professional book, exciting and balanced.
* * * *
In 1896. in "The Scholar Gypsies" Buchan wrote:
"He whose aim is high, whose mark is in the clouds, who presses hot-foot on the race, will make light of the sudden darkness which obscures his aim for the moment, the sudden ditch into which he stumbles ere he can climb up the other side. He has no thought of death. He cares not a jot for negatives when he has the burning positive of fiery energy within him; and confident of immortality, he lays aside the mortal and passes beneath the archway."
June 25, 2020
This is an engaging and intimate portrayal of the life of the well-known author, written by his grand-daughter. Starting the book with the circumstances of his parents’ meeting and marriage, and following JB’s (as he was known among family members) humble early life until his death in 1940, Buchan draws out the kind, fair, ambitious, and well-respected nature of her grandfather; a man who favoured women’s suffrage, and opposed ‘assimilation’ of the South African Boers by the British. Buchan also details the ways in which JB used real-life characters or experiences (either personally, or those which had occurred to family members) as plots or settings for his novels. Included in the book are three separate plates of photographs, most of which are alluded to in the narrative.
Amid JB’s professional and diplomatic life (he ultimately ended up in Canada), there are stories of tragedy and humour. Buchan tells of the early deaths of JB’s younger sister, and two of his brothers, as well as the concern that JB had for his mother and his sister, Anna (also an author, who took on the pen-name O. Douglas as she didn’t want to ‘ride on the tails’ of her well-known eldest brother). On the comic side of things, Buchan lovingly pokes fun at JB’s mother when, on hearing of her son’s engagement, restrains her effusiveness at the news as it meant that her family would be split up (especially as Susan, JB’s fiancée, was Anglican, rather than Free Church of Scotland). The author pulls all these events together incredibly well, telling them more like a story than a fact-laden biography. It is through Buchan’s means of story-telling that we see JB’s love of the countryside – a place to which he would escape frequently to walk for miles or engage in some fishing or shooting. We also see the more challenging sides to JB’s life; she mentions his continual weight loss, his concerns over the situation between Edward and Mrs Wallace Simpson, and his health-sapping tours around North America. Through the author’s eyes, we are watching the once strong, ambitious, mountain-climbing Borderer disappearing into a frail, yet hard-working statesman.
I loved this immersive book because the narrative and personal perspective on JB’s life made it so absorbing and enjoyable to read. At no point did I feel inclined to skip sections. Indeed, I don’t think I need read any other JB biography, after having read this one. This book encapsulates the many aspects of JB perfectly: the poet, the novelist, the journalist, the family man, the politician, and the statesman. Unlike most of the other biographies I have read this year by the end of the book I felt as if I had read not only the life of a much beloved author, but also that of a friend. I would highly recommend this book.
Amid JB’s professional and diplomatic life (he ultimately ended up in Canada), there are stories of tragedy and humour. Buchan tells of the early deaths of JB’s younger sister, and two of his brothers, as well as the concern that JB had for his mother and his sister, Anna (also an author, who took on the pen-name O. Douglas as she didn’t want to ‘ride on the tails’ of her well-known eldest brother). On the comic side of things, Buchan lovingly pokes fun at JB’s mother when, on hearing of her son’s engagement, restrains her effusiveness at the news as it meant that her family would be split up (especially as Susan, JB’s fiancée, was Anglican, rather than Free Church of Scotland). The author pulls all these events together incredibly well, telling them more like a story than a fact-laden biography. It is through Buchan’s means of story-telling that we see JB’s love of the countryside – a place to which he would escape frequently to walk for miles or engage in some fishing or shooting. We also see the more challenging sides to JB’s life; she mentions his continual weight loss, his concerns over the situation between Edward and Mrs Wallace Simpson, and his health-sapping tours around North America. Through the author’s eyes, we are watching the once strong, ambitious, mountain-climbing Borderer disappearing into a frail, yet hard-working statesman.
I loved this immersive book because the narrative and personal perspective on JB’s life made it so absorbing and enjoyable to read. At no point did I feel inclined to skip sections. Indeed, I don’t think I need read any other JB biography, after having read this one. This book encapsulates the many aspects of JB perfectly: the poet, the novelist, the journalist, the family man, the politician, and the statesman. Unlike most of the other biographies I have read this year by the end of the book I felt as if I had read not only the life of a much beloved author, but also that of a friend. I would highly recommend this book.
April 18, 2020
An exploration of an accomplished and adventurous life.
Written with warmth and affection by Buchan's granddaughter, Ursula Buchan, "Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps" gave me a new appreciation for an author that I (and probably most living people) know mainly for his novel "The Thirty-Nine Steps", and even that knowledge was mainly inspired by Hitchcock's loose filmic interpretation.
After reading this book, I understand why Buchan ("JB") and his family saw his most famous novel as amongst the least of his accomplishments, not because of any flaw with the novel, but because he achieved so much else in his life. Ms Buchan has clearly steeped herself in both archival research and her grandfather's writings, and her book is all the better for it. If her book has achieved nothing else, I now have a long list of Buchan fiction and non-fiction I feel inspired to read.
The book is particularly interesting during the WW1 years, with hardship and tragedy on almost every page. The letter from the nurse that was with JB's brother when he died was particularly moving and memorable.
The second half of the book is perhaps less interesting for some readers due to the unavoidable fact that JB spent a large part of his life serving his country diligently in administrative and diplomatic posts, all things that are genuinely impressive and a clear source of justified pride for his family, but for some readers might be less engaging than his earlier life. Personally I enjoyed these chapters, and I found Ms Buchan's descriptions of the physical pain that JB lived with for so much of his life and career impressive and inspiring. It would be easy to dismiss this book as a bit of a hagiography written by a biased family member, but when your subject seems to be genuinely scandal-free and liked by almost all who met him, what else could the author do?
I recommend the book to anyone looking to expand their understanding of this singular British author, as well as expand their "to-be-read" list. I can also recommend the audiobook, which was introduced and concluded by the author herself, with the main text read sensitively and entertainingly by Alasdair Buchan (Is he any relation? I couldn't find out.)
Written with warmth and affection by Buchan's granddaughter, Ursula Buchan, "Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps" gave me a new appreciation for an author that I (and probably most living people) know mainly for his novel "The Thirty-Nine Steps", and even that knowledge was mainly inspired by Hitchcock's loose filmic interpretation.
After reading this book, I understand why Buchan ("JB") and his family saw his most famous novel as amongst the least of his accomplishments, not because of any flaw with the novel, but because he achieved so much else in his life. Ms Buchan has clearly steeped herself in both archival research and her grandfather's writings, and her book is all the better for it. If her book has achieved nothing else, I now have a long list of Buchan fiction and non-fiction I feel inspired to read.
The book is particularly interesting during the WW1 years, with hardship and tragedy on almost every page. The letter from the nurse that was with JB's brother when he died was particularly moving and memorable.
The second half of the book is perhaps less interesting for some readers due to the unavoidable fact that JB spent a large part of his life serving his country diligently in administrative and diplomatic posts, all things that are genuinely impressive and a clear source of justified pride for his family, but for some readers might be less engaging than his earlier life. Personally I enjoyed these chapters, and I found Ms Buchan's descriptions of the physical pain that JB lived with for so much of his life and career impressive and inspiring. It would be easy to dismiss this book as a bit of a hagiography written by a biased family member, but when your subject seems to be genuinely scandal-free and liked by almost all who met him, what else could the author do?
I recommend the book to anyone looking to expand their understanding of this singular British author, as well as expand their "to-be-read" list. I can also recommend the audiobook, which was introduced and concluded by the author herself, with the main text read sensitively and entertainingly by Alasdair Buchan (Is he any relation? I couldn't find out.)
March 15, 2025
An incredibly detailed biography, obviously written with access to family archives and with the devotion and pride of a loving grandchild, carrying on the grand literary traditions of her bloodline. It does a remarkable job in guiding you through the life of a multi-talented man, who appears to have been admired by all those whose path he crossed and was largely successful in all he did, from his studies, writing, legal and administrative work, political career, diplomatic status and as a family man. The one area perhaps lacking, not surprisingly with the family connection, is delving under the skin of John Buchan. How did an insignificant Scottish minister's son glide so smoothly into the establishment? What prevented him from achieving a ministerial post whilst an MP, despite being close to the Prime Minister and so clever? Why did he occasionally veer into the political realm when speaking as Governor-General of Canada? His talents are clear but did he carry some insecurities, was he too much of an everyman? That I'm left with these questions, shows where the biography limits rest. But I started the book admiring the writer and finished it admiring the man.
April 4, 2021
This is an excellent and sympathetic biography of a remarkable man. He managed to maintain a formidable workload in addition to writing numerous novels , biographies and other works. While at Oxford he was studying, reading manuscripts for publishers, competing for academic awards and still managed to maintain an active social life.
While I knew a fair amount about him and have read most of his fiction as the local public library had a pretty full collection when I was growing up, I wasn't aware of his work during the first World War for the Ministry of Information nor had I realised the full significance of his period as Governor General of Canada from 1935 until his death in 1939 in the run up to the second World War in building the relationship with FD Roosevelt.
Ursula Buchan, his grand-daughter also counters the accusations of anti-semitism with examples of his own support for the Jewish people as opposed to the narratives he put in the mouths of his characters which were reflective of attitudes of the period.
Immensely readable. Highly recommended.
While I knew a fair amount about him and have read most of his fiction as the local public library had a pretty full collection when I was growing up, I wasn't aware of his work during the first World War for the Ministry of Information nor had I realised the full significance of his period as Governor General of Canada from 1935 until his death in 1939 in the run up to the second World War in building the relationship with FD Roosevelt.
Ursula Buchan, his grand-daughter also counters the accusations of anti-semitism with examples of his own support for the Jewish people as opposed to the narratives he put in the mouths of his characters which were reflective of attitudes of the period.
Immensely readable. Highly recommended.
June 17, 2019
This is a must read for any fan of John Buchan's work, it contains fascinating insights into his life, family and writing methods. I was particularly interested in the description of Buchan's (positive) reaction to Hitchcock's film. The Thirty-Nine Steps has long been a great favourite of mine (it was on my school reading list when I was about 10 I think) and I've re-read it every few years since, along with the rest of the Hannay, Leithen, McCunn and Arbuthnot oeuvres. When I first saw that movie I scarcely recognized the novel, and time hasn't changed my view. The 1978 version, with Robert Powell as Hannay, is far closer to the book, in both plot and spirit, particularly with regard to the chase across Scotland. It's hard to believe Buchan wouldn't have loved it. And on the topic of movies, don't Greenmantle, The Three Hostages and others cry out for "period" treatments? And what about John McNab?
March 9, 2020
This is an outstanding biography, greatly helped by the fact that the person at the centre of it was such a remarkable, generous, humble, intelligent and wise man. Running to some 512 pages, it's never dull, and even the later chapters about Buchan as Governor-General of Canada are filled not only with political activity but human activity: Buchan spent a huge amount of time as G-G travelling the vast country of Canada, getting to know the people at first hand - literally.
Ursula Buchan, granddaughter of the famous author, has managed a considerable feat: a biography that's never dull. She's aided by the fact that the people in the story are full of life and, in some cases, quite eccentric. But even given that, I suspect that this would rank as one of the few biographies I've read that's consistently entertaining and thoughtful, and which gives a broad picture of a man who seldom pushed himself forward but was exceptionally capable in all he did.
Ursula Buchan, granddaughter of the famous author, has managed a considerable feat: a biography that's never dull. She's aided by the fact that the people in the story are full of life and, in some cases, quite eccentric. But even given that, I suspect that this would rank as one of the few biographies I've read that's consistently entertaining and thoughtful, and which gives a broad picture of a man who seldom pushed himself forward but was exceptionally capable in all he did.
August 1, 2020
When I was in elementary school in the 1950s, sometimes my mother would tell me to wait for her at the pharmacy across the street. I would always browse the paperback racks, and sometimes one of the pharmacists would visit with me. He had met John Buchan fishing in Canada in the 1930s, and would tell me stories about him. I must have read at least a dozen Buchans before I started high school. So I was fascinated to find this biography by Buchan's grand-daughter, telling not just of his governor-generalship, but his days at Oxford, in South Africa, in publishing during the Edwardian era, his service in WWI, and his romance and marriage. Now I have to go back & re-read some favorite Buchans. Anyway, I highly recommend this biography. Edgar Award Nominee for Critical/Biographical (2020).
June 12, 2020
I was all set to be critical, often biographies by family members are not as objective as they should be. I was pleasantly surprised and learnt so much about an incredibly multifaceted man who seemed to be nearly universally loved. Yes he was a product of his time but his humanity shines through.
September 27, 2020
Fascinating insight into the life of a publisher and prolific author who was influential in so many ways ...
April 30, 2023
Excellent biography of a very remarkable man.
March 17, 2025
4 1/2 stars - a well-written and understanding biography of a great man.
June 17, 2021
I’m giving this a four star rating even though I didn’t finish it. It’s a very well-researched and written life of John Buchan, author most famously of “The Thirty-Nine Steps,” and Governor-General of Canada from 1935-1940, written by his granddaughter. I read the first 135 pages and was astonished by Buchan’s meteoric rise within the English literary establishment as a young man who had grown up in a Scottish manse. I just wasn’t interested enough in the details of his later life to give priority to finishing it, with so many other library books to read.
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