Scotland's First Minister and the first ever Scottish National Party leader, Alex Salmond speaks of his hopes and vision for the country in this 2008 event. Chaired by Brian Taylor.

A powerful speaker and one of the world's foremost neuroscientists, Susan Greenfield discusses how we can safeguard our individuality from modern living in this 2008 event.

On his 78th birthday, 25 August 2008, Edinburgh-born international film legend Sean Connery launches his long-awaited book Being A Scot with his co-author and friend Murray Grigor at the Book Festival. Here he chats about a wide range of subjects with chair Sheena McDonald. This is an unedited audio recording of the hour-long event.

Howard Jacobson, the celebrated novelist and leading cultural critic renowned for his ebullient wit and passion for literature and art, talks about his new novel An Act of Love in this 2008 event.

Janice Galloway, one of the UK's finest writers, talks eloquently to Richard Holloway in this 2008 event about her outstanding memoir This is Not About Me, which vividly evokes Ayrshire in the 1960s.

The electrifying and infectious Children's Laureate is joined by top poets, musicians and writers for children (Carol Ann Duffy, Tom Pow and John Sampson) in this unique 2008 event which plays with words and makes them dance. For children of 5 and upwards.

After the knock-out success of his Bartimaeus Trilogy, Jonathan Stroud previews his new stand-alone fantasy Heroes of the Valley in this 2008 event. For children of 10 and upwards.

Gatecrash the final evening of the 2008 Book Festival to hear the brilliant 'word magician', citizen of the world, translator, poet and more, as he talks about his work and reads from a new collection of writing.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown opens the 2008 Book Festival with this unique and illuminating conversation with Ian Rankin. Hear him discuss history, heroes and his own writings.

We were delighted when Martin Amis agreed to speak at a special Book Festival autumn event at Edinburgh's Queens Hall in 2006. A rare visit to Scotland by one of the most admired and influential writers of his generation was indeed cause for celebration. In this event, he launches and talks about his new book House of Meetings to an audience of avid fans.