As suggested in the title, the content of this book offers little in the way of insight into the life and times of the notorious Edinburgh City Councillor Deacon Brodie 1741-1788. Just enough perhaps, to justify his rather colourful image on the front cover. However it does contain a healthy dose of Edinburgh and Leith references and is more a collection of personal thoughts, less well known facts, reminiscences, observations and verse. Some of the facts included here are partly accurate and have a degree of authenticity to them. Others less so, but a bit of fun nonetheless.