Published in time for the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns on 25 January 2009, The Wind that Shakes the Barley is the classic novel of his life and times. Although he died at the age of just 37, Robert Burns had an extraordinary life. Born into poverty and hardship, the family somehow managed to hire a tutor for the young Robert and his intelligence and passion were obvious from an early age. It was the start of a journey that would see him become one of the most talented and respected writers we have ever produced.The Wind that Shakes the Barley is the first book in James Barke's quintet of novels about Robert Burns and brings his early years vividly to life. The quintet was Barke's life's work and this is the finest and most accessible novel about Robert Burns ever written.