The Last Burrah Sahibs
Synopsis
After being retired from an Indian jute mill and returning to Dundee in the mid 1960s, Max Scratchmann's family cannot settle down to life in Scotland. So, when a three-year contract in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) is offered, they fly off to live the colonial life one last time.
Author's Biography
Max Scratchmann is the son of a Dundee jute wallah and was born in Calcutta, India, in 1956. He is a well-known illustrator and humorist, and a mainstay contributor of comic verse to the Peculiar Poetry anthologies. He lives in Scotland.
Reviews
'A look through the eyes of a small boy at a disappearing world ... Funny, personal and moving, it's an elegy to a lost past' - Helen Brown, The Courier (Dundee)


'Three years of magical, colour-filled childhood ... amid the scorching, bustling streets of politically nervous Chittagong in the years preceding the country's independence' - Ian Smith, The Scots Magazine
Price: £8.50


'Three years of magical, colour-filled childhood ... amid the scorching, bustling streets of politically nervous Chittagong in the years preceding the country's independence' - Ian Smith, The Scots Magazine
Price: £8.50
Reader Comments
A pleasure to read
Colourful and exotic glimpse into a lost world, transiting between the post-Colonial empire and the rather colder climes of Dundee
Brilliant!!!
Poignant reading; good way to spend time in a great true story.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
great book
great work
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, brought back many wonderful memories, having been born in Calcutta. Knew Max and his family both in Calcutta and East Pakistan.
Great Book, with good historical and personal insight.
Max Scratchmann is Bonza !!
This book is rich in detail, emotional depth and is hugely poignant as a piece of social history.A great read!
Great book.
Good Luck!
A rich, personal, touching and well written book. A must read!
Ellie Altomare from the Directory Of Illustration
Enjoyed reading..
love it!
Fascinating, humorous and moving
Very well written
Took me back to the great days. Great book.
This is a wonderful book detailing a forgotten chapter in our Imperial history. Amusing, informative and moving, this work is one that is not easily forgotten.
Fabulous, well done, great read.
Amazing book which I and others highly recommend without a doubt this book has my vote. The humour through a boys eyes, go on read it and find out from yourself all I can say is it is a definite excellent read by a well recommended writer!
Good luck great book
This is an extraordinary glimpse into a time period long gone. It is so well-written, I could not put it down!
This book is extremely well written and incredibly personal - you can tell from the quality of the writing that Scratchmann has a deeply emotional connection to his work. Overall an incredible read.
This is a great child's eye view into the dying days of colonial power which India had rejected by then
A very evocative book, funny and poignant. I enjoyed it very much.
fascinating insight into often forgotten scottish history .. told with style & warmth
I loved this book! I am from Kolkata, India.
Superb read which captures perfevtly the last days of the British in the Jute Industry in Bangladesh (East Pakistan).