Menikoff (English and American literature, U. of Hawaii, Manoa), in engaging prose, discusses in detail the methods of Robert Louis Stevenson's lifelong use of primary sources to write his fiction, specifically in this study, the sources on the Scottish Highlands central to the writing of Kidnapped and David Balfour. The figures, events, and laws of the original sources are described in detail as Menikoff shows how they were translated into fiction, noting changes Stevenson made to create content acceptable to English readers without soft pedaling the prevalent loss to their culture suffered by the Scots under English rule. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)