Irish-American Books

I taught middle school reading and found this book in the library. I read it because it looked interesting....and have never been able to get it out of my mind. The only library copy disappeared after I talked it up with my students. Others found the book at other libraries, and LOVED it.

How could this be real? That's what Kate Calambra keeps asking herself when she wakes up one morning in the 1850's, in a small mill town. She was living before in the 1980's when she had gone to sleep the night before. Kate has to accept the unbelievable truth- she really has gone 130 years back in time.

Now she is Kate O'Hara, one of five children in an Irish immigrant family. To add to her confusion, Kate finds herself overwhelmingly attracted to her handsome "older brother," Patrick. Kate's growing love for Patrick seems hopeless. After all, he thinks she is his sister. Kate sets out to do the impossible--convince Patrick that she has traveled back in time. But even if she is able to do that, and Patrick returns her love, will they ever know if Kate can stay in the 1850's, or will they one day wake up years apart?

Okay, that was on the back of the book. My take? It showed what it was like for the Irish, working HARD HARD HARD work, 13 hour days, with terrible wages and no time or energy to play or hang or anything! Really taught me a lot. It was like reading a history book, only without falling asleep. Great storytelling, excellent writing, good plot. All around great book. I give it 85 gazillion stars.

I have always loved the novels of Henry James, particularly Portrait of a Lady and my real favourite, The Turn of the Screw. When I saw this book I thought it would be very hard going, but I soon realised that Flannery's book was clearly written but also sophisticated and at times surprising. Its a pity there isn't more coverage in it of the Turn of the Screw but Flannery's discussion of The Portrait of a Lady and stories by James like The Aspern Papers and The Figure in the Carpet more than make up for this. This book is written with real grace and sometimes wit, e.g. the chapter on the Tragic Muse and the books discussion of sexuality and aesthetics in the last chapter on The Golden Bowl. Flannery looks with cool and sympathetic eyes at other critics on James. You feel that he really loves James and is not just using him as an opportunity to demonstrate his own powers as critic and egotist, as I find with many literary critics. This book is informative whilst being non-judgemental. Anyone interested in James would, I am sure, find this book extremely helpful as insight and discovery. I also feel that it is driven by a sense of the complexities of James and the complexities of the real world.
I look forward to discovering more works by this author. A great read!

I have always loved the novels of Henry James, particularly Portrait of a Lady and my real favourite, The Turn of the Screw. When I saw this book I thought it would be very hard going, but I soon realised that Flannery's book was clearly written but also sophisticated and at times surprising. Its a pity there isn't more coverage in it of the Turn of the Screw but Flannery's discussion of The Portrait of a Lady and stories by James like The Aspern Papers and The Figure in the Carpet more than make up for this. This book is written with real grace and sometimes wit, e.g. the chapter on the Tragic Muse and the books discussion of sexuality and aesthetics in the last chapter on The Golden Bowl. Flannery looks with cool and sympathetic eyes at other critics on James. You feel that he really loves James and is not just using him as an opportunity to demonstrate his own powers as critic and egotist, as I find with many literary critics. This book is informative whilst being non-judgemental. Anyone interested in James would, I am sure, find this book extremely helpful as insight and discovery. I also feel that it is driven by a sense of the complexities of James and the complexities of the real world.
I look forward to discovering more works by this author. A great read!

This is an essential contribution to everyone who wants to understand the truth and complexity of interacting with each other on any closer than "have a nice day" level. Every physician and not to mention psychologist or psychiatrist should study this book and get an insight and reminder into what is culturally "an ordinary American". Slavenka Kam-Hansen, M.D., Ph.D

A no-nonsense look at the ways in which "ethnic" or "ethnocultural" (i.e. non Anglo-Saxon) backgrounds can have ramifications in the values, lifestyles, and psyches of the children and grandchildren of immigrants to the United States. Written in non-technical language, it's very clear and accessible to the educated reader.

Written by a psychologist from Harvard Medical School, only treats Greek-, Jewish-, Italian-, and WASP Americans, using case studies, some of individuals and some of "mixed" marriages (made up of the preceding [sub]cultures). Valuable because it treats a subject regarded by some as a blindspot in the American social sciences, but doesn't ride the hobby horse of political correctness or engage in a polemical denunciation of "mainstream" American culture (but *doesn't* pathologize non-mainstream ones either).

Very readable (I read it in two days); also broken up into different sections so you don't need to read it straight through if you're only interested in certain parts. The author has a barebones website at [..], although it relates primarily to his current clinical practice.

One of those books that's full of common sense, unless you don't believe such a thing exists.

The Imperial Quest and Modern Memory from Conrad to Greene provides a critical bridge between modernism and postmodernism--especially in its use of multiple interpretive lenses. Its author presents a contextual analysis which synthesizes the historical, cultural, political and aesthetic forces which contribute to the modern and postmodern ethos. The book compares the archetypal quest of the epic hero to the quasi-imperial quest of the modern anti-hero and examines the narrative dissonances within the modern novel. The inner and outer journeys of modern protagonists such as Marlowe and Fowler provide strong indictments of imperialism (whether in Africa, India, or Vietnam). Conrad and Greene critique imperialism in its British, European, and American masks by confronting the human dimensions through their introspective, albeit unstable narrators. This work also offers a well-focused and contemporary analysis of the social and political role of the modern novel in exploring the psychological and political discourses between the East and West, male and female, colonizers and colonized. The author connects the psychological and moral dilemmas of these modern protagonists with existential philosophy, further exploring the dimensions of objectification in both interpersonal and international relationships. This probing study is relevant to the contemporary reader in its analysis of imperial power in both the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Imperial Quest and Modern Memory from Conrad to Greene is a thought provoking read that combines literary criticism and cultural theory. The book explores the politics of the quest motif in Western literature with an emphasis on modern novels. Many will find this book accessible and worthwhile. The Imperial Quest is written in a clear and direct style but readers should expect some postmodern interpretive techniques. Those interested in studying Western civilization (and imperialism) via literature should find this an interesting read. The book transcends literary criticism to become a work of cultural criticism.

The poems in this volume are a delight for all ages. Grizzly to Teddy, to poems "bearing" the soul- this book journeys through a rich landscape of language. In Case of Bears is a treasure!

Replete with vivid landscapes, teeming with wildlife, charged with emotional power, IN CASE OF BEARS is the first collection by Peggy C. Hall, who transforms her transcontinental travels, roadside revelations, and encounters with wild animals (and wilder folks) into poetry. Her cross-country trek blazes a trail through Rockies, Bitterroots, Badlands, and Black Hills, to her summer home on Big Cedar Road - her own private Idaho - with its attendant dangers and delights. Hall faces the bears of her psyche, explores the philosophical dilemmas of the American West, and heralds the return of hero Gus Greenbear to the written page with all-new adventures! She cordially invites you to join her poetic wagon-train West!

This play took me by surprise. Clever though it is, it has little in the way of Stoppard's usual intellectual fireworks. Instead it is an affectionate look at the love-hate relationship between Great Britain and India, as reflected and refracted through the eyes of individuals, both past and present.

The play once again uses the device of alternating past and present action, with the present characters attempting to comprehend the past -- but the effect is very different from that in "Arcadia", even though it brings in Stoppard's frequent theme of the nature of evidence. This time the intellectual enquiry plays a second fiddle to a more "soft focus" look at people in their historical contexts.

You probably need to know Brits quite well to fully appreciate the play's wry self-deprecations (not to mention its making gentle fun of American Academia), but it doesn't matter -- "Indian Ink" is rich enough to be rewarding on many levels.

Another erudite romance from Stoppard. The subject: Empire, and Indian independence. Impossible to put down.

From an engaging written history to a survey of historic and cultural sites, Irish pubs and gift shops, and annual events, any present or past Bostoner will find Michael P. Quinlin's Irish Boston: A Lively Look At Boston's Colorful Irish Past, Including Museums, Historic Sites, Pubs, Music, Dancing, And Much More an excellent purchase celebrating both the past history of the Irish in Boston and their present-day culture and influences. Especially notable are chapters which focus on famous and notable Irish personalities in Boston, making for a fine blend of history, biography and travelogue all under one cover.

This comprehensive peek at the culture behind America's most Irish city is fascinating if you are interested in Irish American history. I was impressed by this "labor of love" by the author, and his tribute to the city's Irish community is heartfelt. Particularly interesting are the inclusion of not only photos and great content, but a guide to interesting destinations, Irish pubs, events and other reasons to visit Boston. A great gift for anyone with kelly green blood in their veins, I bought three for Christmas gifts! Thanks, Michael, for such a sincere and thorough chronicle of this important Boston community.

Irish Californians: Historic, Benevolent, Romantic

California in the mid-nineteenth century was awash with opportunity. The readily available land and the gold rush were big draws to an immigrant Irish population, often fresh from the coffin ships of the dark famine years. The Eastern seaboard had served them well but did not present many with the opportunity for fame and fortune. So they came west in their hordes. The growth and development of California is inextricably linked to the story of the Irish settlers of those times. The state was in its infancy and the Irish were ideally suited to the frontier environment by dint of their vision and capacity for sheer hard work.

Patrick Dowling's latest offering provides a vivid and exhilarating record of the history of the Irish in California. Included here are accounts of some noteworthy politicos, as one might expect, but also the stories of some of the ordinary Irish men and women who thrived in California. It is this holistic approach which brings Mr. Dowling's book to life. Through his engaging biographies of the personalities of the period, he gives us an informative and accurate picture of the contribution made by the Irish.

We learn of the senators, mayors and judges who ran California and in particular San Francisco, and of the teachers that often were the first to institutionalize education in the state. Also of the entrepreneurs, developers and engineers whose plans and buildings still stand in testament to their endeavors. The soldiers who played such an important role in the formation of modern-day America, and the altruistic Irish men and women who nursed and treated them are also featured. Irish sports stars that are now household names throughout the land are not forgotten. The list goes on. Each chapter deals not only with the actions and achievements of its subject but is also infused with details and clues as to their individual personality, the inherent "Irishness" of the protagonists always to the fore.

Comprehensively researched (over 10 years) and delightfully and lavishly illustrated, it is at times witty, often moving and always enticing. Dowling's style is akin to that of a storyteller. It is littered with skillfully handled twists and hilarious anecdotes. This is enjoyable in the extreme and an absolute requirement for any Irish Californian or anybody for that matter who has the slightest interest in the history of the Irish in America. Patrick Dowling wrote this book, in his own words, "to awaken Irish Americans to their forgotten heritage, both in Ireland and California, and to help inspire a renaissance of Irish history, culture and achievements." He will certainly accomplish this dream.

This book is about an immigrant group and its assimiliation into California life and society. The many stories told in the book affirm that optimism and hard-work go a long way in a wide-open and prosperous place like California. Most of the people whose stories are told in this book started out with little or nothing, and yet achieved greatness through their own perseverance and boundless energy. The book possesses a rare combination of attributes in that it is both entertaining and inspiring.

Norman Rockwell feeling here, of less complicated and trusting times. Chicago became a sort of Warsaw and Dublin for the Polish and the Irish. As the Irish marrying the Poles, and the Polish marrying the Irish is a common and well known fact. I wonder if Chicago, again being known as "little Warsaw," and "little Dublin," is where, and seems very logical, that all those thousands upon thousands of Polish - Irish Catholic weddings started. The fact is, (Irish/Polish Trivia) the Poles and Irish marry each other, more than any other cultures (outside of their own countries, of course).

Irish in Chicago is a book that Irish everywhere will enjoy. Book has about 200 pictures that reproduced well. You will see many of the organizations your ancestors belonged to represented such as Ancient Order of Hiberians (AOH), Knights of Columbus, Catholic uniforms, celebrations etc.

Chapter Titles

1. The Early Years
2. Family Life
3. Irish Catholicism
4. Music & Dance
5. The Mayors
6. Occupations & Professions
7. Arts & Culture
8. To Serve & Protect
9. Parish, Neighborhood, and Community
10. Saint Patrick's Day
Suggested Reading

I followed the process that was described in this book and although I was scheptical at first, it all went as it said and I was successful. I received my Birth cert. (record of foriegne birth) and turned it around quickly through the Irish Consulate in Chicago for a passport. The cost was $175 for the birth cert. and another $75 for the passport. I was lucky to be able to find most documents within my family (grandfather born in 1901 in Belfast) and others that I didn't get from family, I located at court houses etc. and most by mail. I highly recommend this book to those with an Irish parent or grandparent, I see it as a birthright and have real use for this dual citzenship in my personal and business life as well. Charge ahead you won't regret it and you will learn alot about Ireland in the process. I visited Ireland in Apr. 05 and will go again to see my fathers cousins in the north in 2006. I was really happy to complete this process.
Jeff Baxter

Simple and easy to use, the Irish Citizenship Handbook walked me through all the steps to my dual citizenship as an Irish-American. Got my Irish passport finally due to this handbook. Found the place, address and phone number for my grandmother's birth certificate in County Wexford. Then the location (address and phone) of her marriage certificate in Chicago. My mother's birth certificate in Buffalo, N.Y., and my parent's marriage certificate in Boston. The book has the addresses of all relevant public documents in both Ireland and America, plus information on Canada and Australia. This book saved me time, money, and a lot of frustration in obtaining dual citizenship from the Irish Consulate in Boston. My phone calls alone would have been far beyond the cost of this book...Thanks for making me an Irish citizen.