As with most of the festivals, the Book one is a scary prospect at first glance. Here, Brian Donaldson maps out a plan which should make the minefield a little easier to negotiate. All events are based in Charlotte Square Gardens. The box office number is 0845 373 5888 and the website is www.edbookfest.co.uk.

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John Gittings & Julia Lovell the ever-changing lace ol ('hina is the subject lor these two esperts in the lield. /H..i’llain. £7115).

Denis Healey The old w'arltorsc ol' British politics meets Ruth Wishart to chat abotit his pretty extraordinary lite. [AW/mt. [7115).

Vivian French The lirst ol several events involving l‘t‘ench this week has her creating a story l'or ‘) l | year olds. J..\'ll/mt. £3.51).

Frank Gardner A trttc gritty tale ol survival l'rom this BBC reporter who was shot at close range in Riyadh. 6.30pm. [8 (UN.

Ian Rankin in Conversation with Denise Mina Two of our lucky nation's linest crime scribes get together

to chew the l'elonious lat, 8pm. [8 ([6).

Laura I-Iird & Ewan Morrison llird is now firmly ensconced in the veteran category of Scottish author with a website twww'.|aurahird.coml which helps promote new writers while Morrison is one ol' those in question. whose debut The last Boo/t lint Read got under the critics skirts last summer.

It). l5am. [7 t [5).

Julia Donaldson'l‘he legendary creator ol' lie (auxin/o pops tip tor a session ol' songs and stories. 4.30pm. £3.50.

Alexander McCall Smith The prolilic writer could be chatting here about any number ol~ new books. 6.30pm. [N ( Hi).

Suhayl Saadi

A. .- One of the country’s more idiosyncratic talents has gained a legion of admirers for his novel,

John Hegley The l.uton lad takes little out trom his exploits on the l‘ringe to tllscltss his comedic output. ol' which ('neia ('untettt is bill the latest. 7pm. [8 (ti/ll.

Simon Callow l-‘ans ol' the talented thesp or Orson Welles are in for a treat as the man who was (‘itiren Kane w ill be tliscussed at great length here. 8pm. to 116;.

the International Booker returns to the city which handed him that award last summer with his translator l)avid Helios in tow. ll..i’t)am. (7(5).

David Peace Quite simply one ol‘ the l'K‘s most vibrant authors comes over from his Japanese home to chat about Brian ('lough. the subject of The Damned United. his latest psychological dratna. [2.30pm. [7(1'5).

John Fardell 'l'he l'ormer List cartoonist is well on the way to l'orging a labtilous career in children's literature and he will have the kids hanging on his e\ery word with this session. 3an [3.50. Vivian French The author of (Him-is ti’lilk.\/lllk(' is joined by Ross ('ollins to chat about picture books. 4.30pm. £3.50. Christophe Dufossé 8. Francois Gantheret liuropean literature is giving a platl'orm here with two of l‘rancc's guiding lights hooking tip. 8.30pm. [8 ([6).

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Vivian French French isjoined by illustrator Sophie Windham to talk about the tale ol llenny Penny. l()..i’()ain. [3.50. Shirley Hughes The creator ol‘ Alfie. Dagger and Friends discusses those fellows and some ol‘ her other creations. [.30an £3.50.

Stephen Venables The Autism (,Yni'eiled strand opens with the mountaineer discussing his son. 3pm. £7 ([5).

Ali Smith ()ne of Scotland’s l‘oremost literary talents chats about her work.

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Psychoraag in which we meet Glasgow’s DJ Zaf who is presenting Radio Chadni’s last ever programme. The book gained a spot in The List’s 100 Best Scottish Books of All Time and in this event, he is joined by Glen Duncan (The Bloodstone Papers, Weathercock) to discuss their different

connections to the sub-continent. I 27 Aug, 70. 75am, £7 (£5).

BooksWeekPlanner

William Mcllvanney

including the most recent. The

Accidental. which has popped tip on

every major award shortlist. 7pm. [8 ([6).

Ciaran Carson 8. Menna Elfyn A Northern Irish and Welsh poet collaborate to discuss their chosen literary lield. 8.57)an [8 ([6).

is..- .-§;~'..-E'-..—.«§iiz:." .2: I: Glen Duncan & Suhayl Saadi See caption.

Douglas Kennedy & Marti Leimbach More Autism (.’m'eiled with another pair of authors who have first- hand experience of the condition at home. [2.30pm. [7(5).

Vivian French Scary sheep stories from this busy author. 4.30pm. [3.50. Michael Blastland 8. Kamran Nazeer Another session which aims to help its understand more about autism and the el‘l'ect it has on all those in the surrounding area. 7.30an [8 ([6).

Lin Anderson, Alex Gray 8: Alanna Knight Three of our linest crime writers talk about women and blood-letting. 8.30pm. [8 ([6).

wiili. '~ , . °\.‘~" ‘33.. Stein-1hr 5:3,:5‘: nca‘tri'éli

Daniel Tammet Joan Bakewell hosts this event with someone who can perform near miraculoUs l'eats but struggles to do the simplest everyday thing. [2.30pm. [7(1‘5).

Alison Weir Mary Queen of Scots has been an individual with whom many people are obsessed and Weir is one of the writers who have made her life eminently readable for experts and casual observers alike. 4pm. [7(1'5). Language Quiz Muriel (iray. Kate Mosse and Chris Brookmyre get all wordy in this spot of fun. 5pm. [7(1'5). Manda Scott The Glasgow -based vet and crime writer has recently turned to the legend of Boudicca for her output and here she chats about writing books on such a classic icon. 7pm. £8 ([6).

He’s been away from the literary scene for far too long but the author of Scottish landmarks such as Docherty and The Big Man has struck back with Weekend, the tale of academics and scholars hanging out at a study retreat and learning/being taught a few life lessons.

I 22 Aug. 7 7.30mi, £7 (£5).

Peter Pagnamenta & Momoko Williams liast meets \Vc‘st with this chat about a British ol'l-Iccr's lo\ c lor a Japanese woman. 7.30pm. [5 (U).

Frederick Taylor The Berlin Wall is now deemed to have been a pretty bad idea and this historian will be taking a peek around it to see just how much of an el'l'ect it had on liurope during and alter its existence. .i’pm. [7 ([5).

Charles McKean More structural discussions here as the railway wars which created the lay and l~'orth bridges are recalled. 4pm, [7115).

Simon Armitage The Yorkshire poet and novelist has recently entered the opera game with the International liestival's The Assassin Tree. How does a guy like him make that leap'.’ 7pm. ['8‘ ([6).

Charley Boorman The son or director John recalls his trips around the globe with liwan Mc(iregor. «S‘pm. th‘ (to).

James Robertson Another ol‘ Scotland's top notch literary ligures w ill be speaking out about his latest novel. The 72',s'I(1/iit'itt a/‘(iidean Mack and later today (7.30pm) hooks up with Helena Nelson to chat about another ol‘ his great loves. poetry. 2pm. [7 (£5).

Vivian French More story creating from French. this time aimed at the () is years bracket. 4pm. [3.50.

James Naughtie the esteemed broadcaster has plenty theories about the leadership of Tony Blair and is keen to share them. and will perhaps get speculating on tile alter New Labour. 6,30,)»1. £8 ([6 1.

Philip Marsden & Nick Middleton If you ever lind yourself in extreme weather conditions. who you gonna call'.’ ()ne of these guys. for sure. 8.30pm. [8(1'6).

17—24 Aug 2006 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 15