Andrew Hook's scholarship is distinctive in that it focuses on all three of English, Scottish and American literatures. In this medley of reflections - academic and personal - on his life and work we hear how this focus came about. The themes include early life, a professional career in the academic world, the past and present of both Scotland and America, and the educational, literary, cultural and political life of both countries. Included in the story are unpublished papers delivered at academic conferences, as well as a substantial body of material from his wide-ranging contributions to the online 'Scottish Review' since its inception in 2008.