Ireland Books

An overview of the SAS fight against the IRA, it appears that a shoot to kill policy may have been in place as the SAS killed many IRA terrorists during their covert operations.Great insight into the skill and sophistication of the IRA and the SAS.

Having served a number of times as an officer in Northern Ireland, this book filled in a number of gaps in my own knowledge. The reading of this book should be compulsory for anyone wishing to comment on the fight against Irish terrorism and the methods employed by each opposing side.

This is a work which, if you like solid history, you should read. It tells of the momentous things going on in Europe in the 19th century which are illuminated by this excellent work

Otto Pflanze's book describes how Bismarck manipulated domestic and international politics to unify Germany.
This book, ending in 1871 at the end of the first phase of Bismarck's career is the first of three volumes. The book begins by showing how idealists and romantics tried and failed to unite Germany, but Bismarck was a realist and based his methods on the strengths and weaknesses of individuals.

First Bismarck used cunning diplomacy to isolate the Austria, Prussia's rival for control of the German states. The Franco Austrian war demonstrated Austria's weakness, and increased worries among northern Germans about French strength. This improved Prussia's hand, and later Bismarck's hand.

Pflanze follows Bismarck's tactics step by step through his labyrinthine maneuvers as he
played France against Austria during the Schleswig Holstein situation Bismarck wanted to separate Austria from the German confederation and inspire the northern German states to unite into a Northern German confederation.

After Bismarck unified northern Germany he designed the constitution to allow him to play the Reichstag against the Prussian chamber of deputies. There was also a balance of power between the state and confederate governments. We also see domestic political and economic background to Bismarck's actions. Pflanze shows the domestic politics after Bismarck created the northern German confederation.

Bismarck used relations with France to make advances toward the southern German states. Pflanze carefully shows how Bismarck cleverly tried to use the Luxemburg crisis to woo the southern German states. But the southern German states were afraid of being overwhelmed by Prussia. The only thing that the southern German states admired about the northern German confederation was the Prussian military expertise.

Relations between France and Prussia worsened when the throne of Spain was offered to a Hohenzollern Kaiser William did not care if any of his relatives got the Spanish throne or not. But when Bismarck made it seem that the French had demanded that Kaiser William renounce any attention in the Spanish throne, he angrily refused. The nationalist French responded by declaring war.

Bismarck wanted a war with France to inspire the southern Germans to join the northern confederation against the threat of France. In this he succeeded. But nationalist anger of many, and political reasons of Bismarck caused Germany to annex Alsace Lorraine, which resulted in permanent hatred from France.
The only faults of this book are that Pflanze should have described the people more. He also should have included more maps and a bibliography.

Both the tragic subject and the density of documentation, with graphs and statistics, make this a hard book to read. The Famine killed over a million people, even on the most conservative estimates. It virtually wiped out the Gaeltacht. The question that resonates today is whether fewer people would have died if Ireland in 1840 had been an independent country, with its boundaries at the salt water. You'd have to read this book at least, and maybe some others as well, to get an answer to that question.

This is a fraught subject, but O Grada handles it with both rigour and compassion.

While most educators and textbooks in the US would have us believe the polarization of oppression and race along lines of skin pigmentation is the natural, inherent, and historical condition of ethnic interaction, Dooley's book suggests otherwhise. _Black and Green_ looks at the common link forged by oppression and the struggle for liberation between white Irish and black Americans since the 1800s.

Dooley examines the political, social, and ideological connections between the civil rights struggle in Ireland and America. His analysis results in a picture of reciprocal interchange with both sides influencing, shaping, and supporting the other. The end result is that this "other" demarcated through pigmentation was hardly an "other" during the historical moment. Angela Davis and Bernadette McAliskey support each other while in prison. When McAliskey later receives the keys to the city of New York for her work in Ireland, she gives them to the Black Panther Party. Frederick Douglas and O'Connell heavily influence each other's political thought and speak out in support of each other's cause. Marcus Garvey claims the color scheme of his movement reflects the struggle of various liberation moments of different races all over the world, including the Irish (Red for the reds of the world, green for the Irish struggle, and black for the African American, or, as he puts it at the time, the "Negro struggle." )

Dooley's writing is lucid, engaging, and often narrative. As his innovative and perhaps contentious claims demand, Dooley's research is heavily documumented, often cites primary sources, and features hundreds of foot notes at the book's end. Educators and researchers may use this book with the confidence that they can ascertain with some degree of certainty the primary sources from which Dooley's arguments arise. Further, Dooley's writing is eminently accessible and multi-layered. I have used sections of chapters in my middle school classroom in the Bronx and cited Dooley extensively in papers for graduate school. _Black and Green_ is an invaluable resource for race studies, American or Irish history, and civil rights seminars.

The key to understanding who the oppressed are and who the oppressors are is determined by looking at who the domestic workers are and for whom they work. Who is it that picks up after whom? Bernadette Devlin McAlisky's keen political sense with activists in the civil rights struggle and affluent Irish-Americans is very revealing. Catholic women pick up after Protestant families in Ireland. African-American women pick up after affluent Irish-American families in America. She felt more at home with members of The Black Panther Party than with these affluent Irish Americans. The support of the abolition struggle by Irish republicans such as Daniel O'Connell is of historic import. The support the Irish struggle by fighters such as Frederick Douglas and Marcus Garvey is also of historic interest. However, the interchange of tactics by both struggles is most revealing. The historic Belfast-Derry March in January 1969 was modeled after the Selma-Montgomery protest four earlier. The Montgomery bus boycott got its name from Captain Boycott an avaricious Irish landlord. Michael Farrell set up the Young Socialist Alliance in Ireland modeled after the Young Socialists Alliance in the United States. Black and Green has much more of interest for American understanding of the Irish struggle and is must reading for fighters struggling against oppression and bigotry.

What do you think of whenever you hear the word, "Holocaust?" If you are like me, you think of German concentration camps and the Jews. It came as a complete surprise to me that Roman Catholic Aryan German could land in one of their "own"camps. This is exactly what happened to Nanda Herbermann, a German living in Munster. As an editor and writer for The Grail, her parish publication, Herbermann and parish priest, Father Muckermann, were part of the German, Catholic resistance to the Nazis. For this, Muckermann was forced to flee Germany; Herbermann was eventually arrested by the Gestapo and incarcerated at Ravensbruck, a concentration camp for women. In her own words, penned in "The Blessed Abyss, Inmate #6582 in Ravensbruck Concentration Camp for Women," we receive from Herbermann a detailed account of the horrors of her daily life, but from a very different perspective than Jewish accounts. Here is a woman who was brought up as an Aryan, with Aryan views, who slowly softens and revises her attitude toward Jews, lesbians, prostitutes and all other minorities imprisoned in Ravensbruck as she is thrown in among them and faced with the realities of their mutual hardships. Her incredulity that this is happening to her, that these atrocities are committed by her beloved, fellow Germans is a crushing blow. It is truly her faith that carries her through these daily "stations of the cross." This compelling reading is enhanced by Hester and Elizabeth Baer's meticulously written Preface and Introduction. Here she provides the reader with a detailed history of the Catholic Church's involvement with the Nazis, Herbermann's life and family, and a provocative discussion of women and the Holocaust. This is truly eye-opening, ground breaking reading that I consider imperative to any scholar of the Holocaust or someone who wants to read "the rest of the story."

Ravensbruck stood out among German concentration camps as gender specific: only women were imprisoned there. Perhaps for this reason, it has suffered from historical neglect, despite the fact that its inmates were often extremely important members of resistance movements in France, Germany and throughout Europe. By translating this extremely important memoir of Nanda Herbermann, known and taught widely in Germany, the Baers have made an important first step in telling the history of Ravensbruck. Baer's scholarly introduction frames the memoir from many angles--women in the holocaust, the new woman, the Catholic Church and the Nazis and wartime resistance. This is an important book for scholars of the twentieth century, and would make an excellent choice for teaching Nazi Germany, the Second World War and the Holocaust. It would also fit well in courses on women's autobiography.

This warm tale is a pleasure to read! Lacy is an idealist with decidedly proper principles on how one should live their life and she is out to change the immoral goings on in BLISSFUL, TEXAS! One of the recipients on her list is the very handsome barkeep, Lucas Burns. Lucas has his own ideas about her civilizing influences and he sets out to reform the prissy Lacy.

This fun tale is quick and easy read.

Nineteen year old Lacy Calhoun leaves her convent school to return to mama and Blissful, Texas.

On the stagecoach she runs into 29 year old Lucas Burns who happens to run the saloon, The Rooster.

Boy did things heat up when Lucas learned that Lacy was the daughter of Flossie Calhoun, owner of the Satin Slipper.

He was under the impression that Lacy was not as innocent as she appeared and Lacy thought that Lucas, with his saloon, was the downfall of all of Blissful's good men.

The good men of Blissful, [didn't meet too many] gathered in The Rooster to decide how to get rid of the do-gooder, Lacy.
She was ruining their business, fun and relaxation with Boot Withers the most out-spoken.

Ah, you have to follow the hilarious high-jinx of the people of Blissful, with Myrtle and her sister-in-law, Birdie.

With Lila gone, with the other girls, the sheriff comes acourting, thinking that his ma would approve of Lacy but.....

Lacy figures that it is up to her to bring about a higher moral standard for the good people of Blissful. And she had to take Jacob, Lucas's son under her wing. He needed a real home.

Then Lucas teaches her that she can become one of the fallen and her ideas slowly grow and mature.

The characters are great, the evolving of Lacy into a more mature woman is hilarious and touching as she finds out that no one is as bad as they seem nor was she as good as she thought.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -M Exceedingly delightful - great reading.

I am of non-Irish heritage, but have become caught up in the enticing web of Irish traditional music. This book is a written as a history of Ireland's many uprisings and made so much better by the inclusion of over 100 ballads that came out of various rebellions that have filled Ireland's past.

It is a pity that a music CD is not included so that the reader can feel the anguish that comes through song. My hobby is singing Irish traditional ballads, both rebel songs and others which help to tell the story of Irish history. I have learned of some songs that I thought bore no connection to rebel history, but which, upon reading Faolain's volume, I have had the connections clearly made. And, by the way, one can learn a bit of Gaelic in the reading.

Ireland is one of the only countries that can tell its history in song. Turlough Faolain tells of Ireland from the mists of antiquity to the 1800's.

Only two things could make this better. 1) Updates to the present day and 2) CD's to accompany the book.

This is a great way to learn of Ireland's past. And to learn why she is still in trouble today.

"The follow-up to his critically acclaimed novel, Consumed In Freedom's Flame, protagonist and factional Irishman, Aran Roe O'Neill returns in this historically accurate factional tale of Ireland's Civil War. The book opens with a military entourage carrying Irish rebel leader Michael Collins to a mysterious meeting aimed at putting an end to the savage conflict gripping the country. As a passenger in the car with Collins, O'Neill is caught in the midst of the ambush that would eventually leave his beloved leader - and perhaps even the hopes of a generation - dying on a country road. The novel then shifts back to the end of the Irish War of Independence as the British government awaits the arrival of an Irish delegation charged with attaining their country's sovereignty after hundreds of years of supplication. As [Eamon] de Valera jostles for an outcome that appears motivated by personal rather than stately reasons, Collins is reluctantly press-ganged into joining the Irish deputation. With the threat of total war imminent, the Irish delegation are forced to return to the country with a less than desirable treaty for those who sought a full 32-county republic, a position that the author pointedly claims: 'once a means to achieving a broad ends, had become a narrow end in itself.' With the factions split, the country becomes embroiled in a bitter, insidious conflict that turns comrade and households upon themselves. There are possibly those that would charge the author with being too far in the Collins camp, but with the dispassionate eye of history now finally beginning to fall on Ireland's most depressing dispute, it is hard to escape Liam's presentation of Ireland's most dominant political figure as an egotistical, arrogant man armed only with his own selfish, myopic vision. As one of Collin's inner circle, the newly married protagonist sees his own life unravel along with those around him as Liam's superbly researched book brings alive one of Ireland's darkest hours. Armed with murderous subplots, along with romance, heroism and betrayal galore, this is certainly one of the most dynamic and enjoyable retellings of the Irish Civil War that I have ever read." Reviewed by Joe Kavanagh, Irish Connections magazine, (New York, NY), Autumn, 2006

"Blood on the Shamrock" is the sequel to "Consumed in Freedom's Flame," Cathal Liam's historical novel about Ireland's Civil War in the 1920's. Fictional hero Aran Roe O'Neill continues in the struggle for Irish self-governance and independence. In this complex network of loyalties and treachery, he faces foes both from within and outside the ranks of Irish patriots. For those who may have missed the first novel, "Blood on the Shamrock" stands very nicely on its own as a great historical novel. It is greatly enhanced by an introductory list of cast of characters, in order of appearance by chapter, the prologue, which quotes the Declaration of Arbroath and the Proclamation of POBLACHT NA H EIREANN, and the glossary. Frequent quotations from poems and songs also help to place the novel's tone and action core. The reader will quickly become caught up in the life and cause of Aran, which is 'at one with the cause of Pearse, Connolly and Collins.' Twentieth century Irish political reality evolves through the pages, with many references to its cultural and historical heritage. "Blood on the Shamrock" is immediate and personal; it will serve to enlighten many readers about the latter days of the Irish Civil War. Ending in the 1960's, "Blood on the Shamrock" is a complete read in and of itself. But one wonders (and hopes!) if there will be another novel to the present day?

The sending, receiving and collecting of postcards as a major part of life in Edwardian Dublin, where there were six mail deliveries a day and one on Sunday, so it's fitting that Niall Murphy has gathered a fine representation of over two hundred postcards posted in Dublin during 1904 to display the messages and interests of ordinary people of the time. More than just a display of vintage cards, A Bloomsday Postcard pairs postcard images and messages with a re-creation of everyday life; thus earning a place as literature, social commentary, and art history all under one cover.

The sending, receiving and collecting of postcards as a major part of life in Edwardian Dublin, where there were six mail deliveries a day and one on Sunday, so it's fitting that Niall Murphy has gathered a fine representation of over two hundred postcards posted in Dublin during 1904 to display the messages and interests of ordinary people of the time. More than just a display of vintage cards, A Bloomsday Postcard pairs postcard images and messages with a re-creation of everyday life; thus earning a place as literature, social commentary, and art history all under one cover.

How did Napoleon succeed in battle? According to Connelly it was by having detailed and perfect plans that fell apart leaving Napoleon forced t0 improvise. Napoleon's ability to improvise on the battlefield were the true ways he won. His enemies expected him to follow his plans which were easy to discern and when he did not he won battles. This provides excellent accounts of various battles and does so without becoming bogged down in details. I highly recommend it for those starting out with Napoleon and want to understand how he won battles. (as someone who did their thesis no Napoleon this book would have been invaluable at the time). The book is well written and a quick read that will help understand the Napoleonic wars in the context that they were in.

Dr. Connelly sees Napoleon as probably the greatest general of all time, in part because, paradoxically, 'he never really made any plans that he stuck to.'

That lack of planning would appear to be disastrous for anyone else. But for Napoleon it marked him as one of the most remarkable military leaders in history, Connelly said. 'He made plans so that he would have special men and supplies in the right places, but made everything else up as he went along. This equates to genius by him.'

It's considered a truism that 'No plan survives first contact with the enemy (Helmuth von Moltke).' So much so that many military organizations have altered the way they do planning so that they are making no presumptions of what the enemy will do. Get good leaders, get enough men and equipment, get them the food, ammo, etc. they will need, and point them in the right direction.

The interesting point is that Napoleon recognized this so long before von Moltke, Patton, etc.

The book is delightful. It's got a bit of humor, and analyzes Napoleon's battles from a slightly different aspect.