Ireland Books

This is by far the best book on Kenmare and its surrounding county Kerry i have had the pleasure of reading!
It is truely a magnificent read and will have you booking a holiday to kenmare in no time.
Finally a book that doesn't just give detail and fact but a heartfelt account of a very special place indeed written by somebody who has quite obviously fallen in love with the quaint town and it's surroundings.
I would reccomend this book to literally anybody who has stayed in kenmare at some point or even just past through while possibly travelling the ring of kerry.
Theres just so much to this part of Ireland that is not known or has been forgotten as the generations get older and time passes, What Stanley Goddard has compiled is a result of years of relentless exploring and researching whether he attained this valuable and compelling information from local towns folk (much of which, like Stanley, are no longer with us!) or from age old history books.
Also an avid photographer, Stanley documented much of what is written about in this book apparently and we can only hope to see an accompanying book of photographs released in the comming months!
This book will appeal as much to the people of Kenmare as it will to the many tourist's passing through each year!
I thoroughly recomend this to anyone who has ever been lucky enough to visit Kenmare and its surrounding beautiful country.

If you love Ireland, history and travel, you will love this book!!! Imagine touring Kenmare with a guide to tell you the history of the people and places you encounter along the way. Beautifully written, it makes you want to jump on a plane and fly to Kenmare to see everything described in the book.

This book is an excellent addition to the literature on the Vietnam war, providing us with a new perspective. It is full of novel information but still easy to read, which is quite an achievement. It is particularly interesting -- given the current political situation -- to learn how eager the British government was to support Kennedy's Vietnam policy. This is a real revelation.
The book's approach is truly international, and the research is more than impressive. Among the archives the author used are the national archive of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, and of course Britain.

In this brilliantly-researched study, Peter Busch examines the Conservative government's policy towards the US war against Vietnam for the years 1961 to 1963. The author, who formerly worked at the Public Record Office at Kew, has thoroughly mined newly available records from Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. He also shows how British policy towards Vietnam related to wider policy towards South-East Asia, especially towards Indonesia. In both cases, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan ruled out negotiated settlements and preferred to use force.

Busch shows how Macmillan fully backed President Kennedy's aggressive military build-up in Vietnam, `a clear breach' of the Geneva agreements, while advising him to conceal it. Macmillan pretended to be a peacemaker, while actually supporting the US war. He aimed to keep Britain's `great power' status and prove its value as a US ally.

As co-chairman of the International Control Commission set up by the 1954 Geneva Conference, the British state abused its role in order to support the illegal, dictatorial Diem regime in the south. It backed up Diem's unwarranted claims that the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was responsible, `whether there was evidence or not', for starting the civil war in the south. It used these claims to rule out the DRV's call for reconvening the Conference to negotiate the peaceful reunification of Vietnam.

Macmillan helped the US counter-insurgency effort, setting up the British Advisory Mission in 1961. British forces also trained Diem's troops in Malaysia. In 1962, the British Ambassador to Saigon urged the USA to `crush and eradicate the Viet Cong'.

The British government only dropped Diem when it discovered that his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, was willing to discuss peace with the DRV. It then backed the US coup against Diem that sabotaged the chances of peacefully reunifying Vietnam.

Busch concludes that the British government did not pursue peace. "Britain supported the American policy in Vietnam wholeheartedly. The British only wanted to `sell' this policy in a different, less confrontational way." Plus ca change! This superb book vindicates all those who opposed the US aggression against Vietnam.

Soviet Russia, under the faith of Marxism, tried to stamp religiosity out of the country. Rather than compete in the marketplace of ideas, as should have been done (but which always results in great variance in beliefs), the approach that was taken was more akin to stubborn parents trying to tell their teenage daughter that they do not approve of her boyfriend. This, of course, does nothing to lessen the girl's interest in the boy. Much of what followed in the attempt to replace old Christian faith with the new Marxist faith entailed atrocities every bit as bad as those found during Christianity's darkest hours, and really wasn't all that different than the inquisition itself.

For fans of history, this is a look at a fascinating time after the Russian revolution. The time this book covers happens within twenty years of the two world wars and the great depression. Obviously, the first wide scale attempt to force atheism on a population would get overshadowed. A lot of good stories in here, written in an easy to read fashion. Stamping out faith wasn't the first concern of the communists, but government barbarities were set up to deal with the issue creating some interesting interactions with the uneducated populace. The most ambitious of plans had to be scrapped due to resistance.

Save your money and buy some comic books, you'll get more realistic plot development and characters. The writer has evidently never been inside a real police department or embassy or has any knowledge of how the real world works outside of Dublin pubs.

If you like accuracy and reasonable plots -- forget this. If you wander into mystery to totally escape from the real world, then you might enjoy it.

I will also admit that I did not finish it. After the third or fourth female character was introduced, every one of which was a contender for Miss World, I decided to just trash it.

Cheers,

In a crowded Dublin street, a bomb goes off, killing several innocent people. The police investigation is headed up by detective superintendent Blade Macken, whose personal life is as tattered as the bomb area. Blade quickly learns that the deadly blast was detonated beneath the street, making its trail ice cold because the bomb had to have been planted when the street was dug up several months ago.

However, Blade is soon contacted by the deranged Angel, who tells him more bombs have been planted beneath the city's streets. They will all go off to coincide with the American president's visit if he does not receive $25 million very soon. Blade begins to investigate the case from the one clue the killer did leave in his phone call -- he knew Blade. Looking into his past to try an uncover the identify of a crazed murderer, Blade does not particularly like what he sees about himself and his dysfunctional family. Still, he has a bomber to catch with little time remaining so he must stop his nightly drinking and his introspective outlook to seek out the killer.

ANGEL TAPE is a well written, extremely exciting novel, starring a new anti-hero, performing a heroic task. The story line is action packed and, for the most part, moves forward rapidly. However, Blade's personal life, though needed for a motive, tends to drag the tale a bit. Readers, who enjoy thrillers, should skim through those passages, because overall David Keily has written a remarkably exhilarating police procedural.

Harriet Klausner

"In Valerio's hand, Anita Garibaldi emerges as the courageous but vulnerable woman from southern Brazil, whose singular and precious spirit was caught in the times. 'Anita Garibaldi' is a romance discovered in history's embrace. Valerio creates the Brazilian ethos in its emerald presence as the brillian nerve in Garibaldi's brave but short time. This biography has a texture like a Renoir film, broad and expansive, swimming alog in voluble seas."

--A. Weaver, Simmons College

"Anthony Valerio's genre-crossing biography provides unique insight into Anita Garibaldi's short, glorious life. Valerio writes with a novelist's dedication to character and an historian's dedication to the past."

Janet R. Jacobson, Director, Center for Research on Women, Barnard College

I haven't had time for more than a brief review of both volumes, but since our family from Derrylehan, Donegal, is descended from the O'Daughertaighs of Inshowen, this work is a treasure of infomation of which I have long known but now for the first time have had access to in an excellent translation. I have traced all references to the O'Dohertys in both volumes, but have not yet had time to trace the grandmother's McMahans of Fermanaugh. These books are a big help to anyone wanting to understand the culture of Ireland from the 11th to the 17th century.

A very impressive work, in 2 volumes, hardbound, with four color frontis and the almost forgotten original map of Irish Family locations. The fold out map is about 20 x 25 and is the best of the genre. The Annals by the Four Masters are perhaps the most noted source in Irish history and this was the first translation into English (1846). The formal text is complete from the 12th to the 17th century. In addition, the annotations cover Irish history from the earliest times. We have been waiting for this edition to be published ! (note that Connellans translation preceeded that of O'Donovan.) Helpful index to the old map has been added for the first time. These Annals are in the English language. A few pages have some age markings on them from the original, and it remains a magnificent set of books. All in all, this is one of a kind, with a distinctive color frontis, some celtic lettering, and a map that has been out of print for over 150 years . If you have been waiting for the Annals as we have,
this is a real treat. Connellan, was a leading gaelic scholar, and this first ever translation laid the groundwork for all that would follow in the field.

For the first time, a team of international researchers (one American and two Russians) brings together the story of the armored units of the White Russians in each battle theater. These are the first color depictions of White armored trains world wide. Tanks and armored cars are also examined as well as their impact on the Russian Civil War. Even here, the authors and artist break fresh ground, providing the first examples of tanks and armored cars not seen before, carefully constructed from period photographs and contemporary descriptions. Amazingly, not one of these armored pieces remains inside Russia today in pristine, or indeed, other form. Dr. Bullock has devoted years of collection toward this topic. Mr. Deryabin, son of a famous Soviet general, is literally the founder of studies involving the White Armies. Mr. Aksenov is Russia's most renowned illustrator of armored subjects. Highly recommended. Superb collection and resell value should this edition ever go out of print. Collectors' item!

There are just too few books on the Russian Civil War for my tastes. This book addresses armored forces in the service of the Whites (and if there are few books on the Civil War there are far fewer on the White cause) and the Allies. French and British models shipped in to Russia before Brest-Litovsk and used to fight the Bolsheviks and their bloody cause.

Though small this book is packed with information and uses lots of rare photos.

If architecture is, as they say, frozen music, this series of books should help thaw the ice. Author Sidra Stich, an art historian and curator, traveled extensively during the preparation of these works. Like all good ideas, this one is simple: assemble photos of an area's great architecture and art sites and put them in a small book suitable for travelers. Intelligent histories bring the subjects to life, particularly for those who appreciate art and architecture but aren't experts. Stich covers the territory comprehensively, finding interesting creations in unlikely places--like the M8 highway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, home to Patricia Leighton's organic sculpture Sawtooth Ramps, and a small herd of grazing sheep who keep the art mowed. The guide offers enough insight to help you immerse yourself in the artistic life of your destination. It details where you can find innovative works by new artists and guides you through more obvious destinations, such as London's new Tate Modern. The first two books in the series deal with Britain (plus Ireland) and France. Japan and Spain are next, and the publisher hopes to cover the globe.

In art-SITES: Britain & Ireland, Sidra Stich provides a compendium of galleries and exhibitions of contemporary art and architecture in a unique, "travel planning friendly" handbook format. Readers will learn all about contemporary trends and ongoing artistic activities, identification of places where one can see the most innovative work by leading and emerging international talents, plus in-depth and detailed commentaries on museums, galleries, exhibition spaces, architecture, film centers, public art, sculpture parks, bookstores and festivals in British and Irish cities ranging from London, Oxford, and Cambridge, to Glasgow, Dublin, and Belfast. If you appreciate modern art and contemporary architecture, don't leave home for a trip to the British isles without your personal copy of art-SITES: Britain & Ireland.

This recent collection of poems from Irish poet Mary O'Malley demonstrates the diversity of her talent. Both in style and subject she shows us her world in many different perspectives. The collection contains love poems, stories of experiences and dreams, reflections of the natural beauty of her country, witty criticisms of people, and more. Some poems are short and pithy, requiring the reader to peruse them several times to follow her train of thought. Other, longer works allow the reader to sink down and savor her use of language and rhythm, imagery and sound. Overall a very satisfying collection.

I was enchanted by O'Malley's earlier works, and she hasn't ceased to amaze me as she continues writing. This book isn't as focused as some of her earlier ones (e.g., "Where the Rocks Float"), but the writing is terrific. Her poetry ranges from wry humor (her comments on Connemara-wannabes) to profound reflections on the human condition. The poem on the death of her son's dog brought tears to my eyes (I don't ordinarily wax sentimental over either kids or dogs, but this is way beyond sentimental!), and, as always, her language is sharp and vivid. Although the West of Ireland is the subject of many of her poems, she's not just a "regional poet," and I'd like to see her become more widely known.

This book distils generations of research and provides up-to-date information.

My only quibble is that the author accepts the art historians' view on the refinements in the Parthenon rather than having presented a practical architectural examination of the building. Otherwise it's a tour de force.

One more thing: don't be put off by the out of focus photograph on the cover.

Jeffrey Hurwit's compelling way of introducing the reader to an Ancient Greek marvel is both fun and informative. You learn anwsers to things you would personally want to know like "Could the average Greek enter the Parthenon?" A great "bread and butter" book to have on hand if you are at all interested in art or architecture.