Fair Sunshine, Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters by Jock Purves, Edinburg: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1968, new edition 2003, 194 pp.
Fair Sunshine is a collection of twelves essays or chapters on various Scottish Covenanters of the 17th century. In that much of its emphasis is on the martyrdom of these Covenanters the book might easily be compared with the famous Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Purves, a Scottish Presbyterian himself, certainly evidences a passion for the truths the Covenanters fought for, but such evident passion makes his work here less than an objective history. Some interesting events in Covenanter history are mentioned in the book, but the accounts being not chronological the book lacks much explanation of Covenanter history in general and so lacks context for the individual accounts. Despite these faults, Purves accomplishes the goal of the book’s subtitle in showing the character traits — bravery, steadfastness, holiness, etc. — of some of the Gospel-preaching men of old Scotland.
