Ireland Books

The Short Stories presented in this fabulous collection range from short folktales from the the old oral tradition to modern stories of the 20th century. It is a marvelous survey of Irish writing with both the dark and lighter side of the Irish character well represented. I've had this book for years and return to it again and again. There are some real gems here.

You don't have to be Irish to enjoy this carefully gathered collection of Irish Short Stories.
But no one can tell a tale as well as an Irishman or woman.
This book is a must-have beside the bed to dip into and savour.
Why is it that Irish literature is so pure and lucent?
If you are looking for a gift for a special person, give them a copy of this treasure.

This collection of short stories by Irish writers is a gem. Having loved William Trevor's stories for years, I bought this book because of his introduction. He draws the reader into these stories with the talent of an ageless storyteller. These stories can only skim the surface of the great body of Irish literature. But it is a wonderful start. Bravo.

A review of Carlyle's Past and Present written in Carlylese (he's much better at it than I am...)

This book could change the whole Western world, if only men would read it, and believe it! -We could have several Utopias springing up in North American and throughout Europe within the space of five years! So here you are. In this work, Carlyle criticizes the social, economic, and political arrangements in England of the 1840s. I will not bother to explain what those arrangements were; I will only say that his criticism is as relevant to us now as it was to the people of his own time. My friends, very simply put, then as now, we have 'parted company with the eternal inner Facts of this Universe, and followed the outer transient Appearances thereof...[we] have forgotten the right Inner True, and taken up with the Outer Sham-true.' Yes Carlyle's English is a bit strange, but try not to be distracted by outer appearances, that is his point! In many aspects of our Western life, we have forgotten what is true and at the heart of the matter, and taken up with superficial nonsense.

Let's begin with economics. In Carlyle's day, the Industrialists were trying their damnedest to figure out a way to make the production of cotton cheaper. This is a sham! Instead, figure out a way, with all your cotton cloth, to 'cover all the backs of England.' How like our present day Global Economists, wracking their brains trying to get the poor fools of the Third World to buy our products. Why don't they stop a moment and see if everyone at home is yet sufficiently provided for. Do your own fellow citizens need what you are producing, or have they enough of it, need they some other product which it is in your power to produce? And what is this of Advertising? Carlyle remembers a hat-maker who built a seven-foot hat of wood and plaster; wheeled it about the streets of London to attract customers to his shop. Does this improve the quality or utility of your hats, man, or does it only fool people into thinking that you have done honest work? I begin to think that more money is made in Advertising in these times of ours than in any other enterprise. What are our cities but places to tack up Billboards, to display Clothes in shop windows, to produce commercials for television, all to fool people into buying rubbish they don't need. Don't Advertise, Just Work!

Religion? Why all the silly ceremonies, the controversies, feuding between different sects. Do we need absurd ceremonies and idolatrous rituals to believe in a Divine Power? True Religion is 'Moral Conscience, Inner Light' 'All Religion [is] here to remind us, better or worse, of what we already know, better or worse, of the quite infinite difference between a Good man, and a Bad, to bid us love infinitely the one, abhor infinitely the other, to strive infinitely to be the one, and not the other.' A Religious man is he who makes his whole life an appeal to Heaven, to Divine Justice, to Goodness, and who cannot be happy if he do not always choose the right thing for his family, his country, his God and himself.

Politics? Why do we continue to elect Bill Slicktons and Tony Blears, vicious Garry Condits and brainless Bushes, when these rotten Governors have in their own souls nothing to govern by. They are play-actors, nothing more, and very poor ones at that. Behind the smile, the make-up, the $400 hair-cut lies only one thing: 'impudent dishonesty--brazen insensibility to lying and to making others lie' Look into the souls of such men and what will you see: 'a general grey twilight, looming with shapes of expediencies, parliamentary traditions, division lists [like opinion polls], election-funds, leading articles...' The true leader, on the other hand, is a hero: he wants none of our material rewards, fears none of our punishments, believes that there is such a thing as eternal justice, will stop at nothing until he has made life better, happier, more fruitful for his fellow citizens. How do we elect such a man, instead of another politician, that is, another professional liar, wood and plaster dummy? We as voters must cease to vote wrong! How is that to be accomplished? Well that is not so easily done. We must all awaken from this state of enchantment, says Carlyle, must begin to learn to distinguish just and unjust, admirable and despicable in our fellow men, and in ourselves. READ THE BOOK!!!

This is for sure a great book, if you have the ability to concentrate for more than five minutes, unlike the majority of the Herd, in mean people, of today. If your intrest lies in the substance of this book, read some other review, I'm only going to tell you that, the (1909) publication, stinks; the so called book, is more like a oversized magizine, and the print is about the size of a footnote in the bible.

Widely known is the lucid and acid historic sense of Thomas Carlyle. This is what you will find in this book. More accessible than the monumental 'Sartor Resartus', but at the same high level. I strongly recomend that book as a way to enter into the vivid world of Carlyle.

Keeps the reader hooked, very motivating and uplifting. I enjoyed every minute and would recommend everyone get this book.

I bought this book because I am a Holcomb and have been able to trace my roots to Sir John. Reading the book was something that I did not bargain for, it was so moving and beautiful that I went back and order a copy for both of my brothers. It isn't important that he is one of my ancesters, the story and the wisdom that is passed down is priceless. Enjoy and learn from this wonderfull book.

Outstanding insight into success, written in story format---both exciting and interesting to read. Recommend to everyone; especially those who want to overcome adversity and succeed!

Incredibly insightful treatment of the Easter Rising and the man who lead it. This book gives us a new way of seeing this great Irish hero and shows us an in-debt psychological study of what brought him to lead the rebelion. A marvelous book.

I really enjoyed this book written by my ex-professor. This is a marvelous psychohistorical, highly engaging, and at times pleasantly shocking reading about one Patrick Pearse. Moran goes deeply into the Pearse's psyche and explores the possible reasons for Patrick's (i)-rational actions. Was he a suitable hero-figure or was he a man driven by circumstances, his perception of injustice, and his powerlessness.

Incredibly insightful treatment of the Easter Rising and the man who lead it. This book gives us a new way of seeing this great Irish hero and shows us an in-debt psychological study of what lead him to lead the rebelion. A marvelous book.

Hilda Van Stockum was one of my favorite authors in elementary and middle school. My first book by this outstanding author was "The Winged Watchman," which was a historical look at a Dutch family during WWII. It was a lovely story replete with Dutch customs. "Pegeen" and the entire "Bantry Bay" series will not disappoint, either. The characters are lively, heart warming and full of fun and vigor. I am lucky in that I have several Hilda Van Stockum books as my library was having a sale some years ago. I have never read a bad Hilda Van Stockum -- there is no such thing. She is a keeper.

Pegeen is the third and final volume in Hilda van Stockum's delightful Bantry Bay series. Without a hint of pedantry or preachiness, all three books teach children virtues such as courage, self-sacrifice, and honesty. The whimsical and charming young heroine of the present volume gets into a few tight scrapes, learns to accept the blame for her own wrongdoings, and is rewarded in the end. I've read all three books to my three year old; he can listen to them for hours on end. They are quite appropriate for accomplished young readers ages ten to twelve. Pegeen can be read without any knowledge of the preceding volumes, but do your children (and yourself) a favor - buy all three; you will not be disappointed.

Pegeen is a half-wild little girl who was raised by an elderly grandmother. She loves the outdoors and living things, but has had no schooling and very little interaction with other people. When her grandmother dies, there is much consternation about where she will live. The parish priest learns of a relation in America, but arranges for Pegeen to live with the O'Sullivan family (first introduced in *The Cottage at Bantry Bay*) until arrangements can be made.

Here, Pegeen is all the trouble one might imagine for a little girl grieving over the loss of her beloved grandmother and adjusting to an entirely different life. Poor Mother O'Sullivan is nearly beside herself trying to deal with all the chaos.

Can't really tell you more lest I spoil the beautiful plot, but I'll just say that this is one of the most touching, heartwarming books I've ever read. It is sure to become a favorite of your children and you too.

This is the best introduction that one could find to gays and homosexuals in Portuguese and Brazilian history from the 15th century to the 20th. The book examines the lives of a number of them, both at the top layer of society, including one Portuguese king, as well as at the bottom and does so in great detail that never minces words. Much of the information about them comes from Inquisition records since that institution had jurisdiction over what was then known as the "unspeakable sin". The inquisitors did not hesitate to go into minute detail about the acts they were condemning and as a result we are given extensive and valuable information about sexual practices at the time, even including some cases of bestiality. The book has a very useful glossary and an excellent index that make it easy to use. All readers who are interested in homosexuality in history and especially in Portugal and Brazil should find this pioneering book indispensable

This volume that includes important but never before translated studies by Portuguese and Brazilian scholars should prove essential reading material for all courses in Portuguese and Brazilian history.

This book is an amazing look into the gay life of Portugal and Brazil over a period of almost six centuries. It ranges from "outings" of two Portuguese icons, one a king, to studies of noble homosexuality as well as that of ordinary folk. Brazil is not neglected and Mott and Vainfas's contributions cover that nation well. Notable also is Johnson's "outing" of Prince Henry the Navigator, a masterly piece of historical detective work. The collection also contains unique translations of three superb studies by Luiz Mott, and overall is a really valuable contribution to understanding the gay life in Portuguese speaking countries. Highly recommended to all those interested in the social history of Portugal and Brazil.

After I finished the first couple of chapters I was amazed at what I read. I never thought that could happen to anybody. You have to find out for yourself. Just read it, and you will see!

I was recommended this book by a very good friend and even though I can honestly say that I cannot stand Brosnan as Bond, I thought at least I'd do a little background reading on the man. What a delightful surprise. A witty, urbane, wonderfully researched book on a greatly misunderstood character actor. I thought York Membery's painfully funny description of the death of Brosnan's dog in chapter 2 was the highight for me. I'll look more kindly on Brosnan's future roles in future. I thought some of the photographs were particularly good. I just wish the book could have been longer. I didn't want it to end.

I can vividly remember how Pierce Brosnan grew up as a child and can only imagine how hard it must have been. The death of his wife Cassandra Harris and all her determination, fight, and powerful quotes about beating cancer really touched me. Also, he is such a great actor and the best James Bond. It is very detailed, and well done. I remember clearly how he felt when he met Cassandra, and how much he meant to her, and how depressed he must have been when she died. He sure had a beautiful heart for what he did. His "long and winding" road to fame, was hard, I can tell by his words. He seems to have a nice family- beautiful people, who are also frequently mentioned (Charlotte, Sean, Christopher, girlfriend Keely, Dylan Thomas (son with Keely.) This is definetly a must read, must see. It is for any Pierce fan!

I was familiar with the legend of Grace O'Malley, but Christina Bauer puts a fun twist on the story in her "Pirate Queen". It's a fascinating tale of one young woman's personal voyage of self-discovery, with her burgeoning time-traveling power standing in as a metaphor for the struggle everyone faces when we transform from kids into grown-ups. My 14-year old niece loved the book (she has an annoying little brother just like Timewalking heroine Jessica Ross); her mom loved Bauer's emphasis on kids' -- especially girls' -- need to build self-reliance and self-esteem; my 13-year old nephew loved the action... lots of action! That makes "Pirate Queen" a fast, exciting read. "Pirate Queen" is an interesting counterpoint to "Harry Potter" in that Harry seldom faces the consequences of his actions, instead getting a free pass from higher-ups sympathetic to his plight. Nice and neat, but not true-to-life. Jessica Ross travels the difficult road to finding herself mostly alone, and we all get to enjoy the journey with her. It's a trip well worth taking!

A friend recommended this book for my eldest daughter, and I ended up plowing through it myself (Harry Potter fan that I am, I just can't resist this genre). It's tons of fun - not a dull moment - but what I'm most excited about is the historical element. Finally, an "action adventure" for girls - and I don't mean a sexy superhero! The book is based on a REAL 16th century pirate queen named Grace O'Malley who apparently ruled the high seas near Ireland but whose name does not appear in the history books (which are not dominated by powerful female leaders in any event). That said, there is enough fantasy and drama to keep the boys fully engaged, too. A refreshing choice - I highly recommend it.

The first time I sat down to read this book, I only planned to read the first couple of chapters. The next thing I knew it was after midnight and I was one-quarter of the way through. The story is about this girl named Jess. She's an American teenager traveling in Ireland when she starts dreaming about a ghostly pirate queen named Grace O'Malley (who's actually a real-life Irish pirate queen from the 1500's.) Jess says she'll help Grace "find her treasure" and then she starts to travel through time to relive different things from Grace's life, like sea b! attles, secret weddings and castle seiges. I don't want to spoil all the surprises, but the book is a real page-turner, especially when Jess starts to find out about the secret society of Timewalkers. I think my favorite character in the book is Jess's little brother and master prankster Jake. It's worth reading the book just to find out what he'll do next.

Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy draws upon case studies, maps, charts, and his own expertise to present the aspiring genealogist with the basics of Irish genealogical research in a "reader friendly" sixty-page introduction. The nature and uses of all significant records sources in Ireland are listed and described, including civil and parish registers, gravestone inscriptions, wills, the Griffith's Valuation, Tithe Books, the 1901 and 1911 censuses, newspapers, hearth money rolls, the registry of deeds, estate records, ordinance survey memoirs and more. All major Irish record offices and heritages centers are listed along with their contact information, hours of operation, and major record holdings. Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy is an essential reference for any novice genealogist wishing to tap into Irish iresources.

Now in an updated second edition, genealogist Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy is a slim yet information-packed volume of information on reference sources to tracing ancestry in Ireland, including the 1901 and 1911 census to school registers, registry of deeds, estate records and much more. Of special note is the section dealing with Irish Genealogy and the Internet, and its guide to some of the most useful sites. A highly recommended, "user friendly" primer for beginning genealogists who wish to trace Irish ancestry, Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy also has much to commend it to experienced genealogists in need of a refresher for work with Irish genealogical research assignments.

In his Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy, Brian Mitchell skillfully blends case studies, maps, charts, and his own mastery of the subject to convey the basics of Irish genealogical research -- all in less than sixty pages. Following introductory chapters on the background to research on the American side, Mitchell describes the nature and uses of all significant record sources in Ireland including, but not limited to: civil and parish registers, gravestone inscriptions, wills, the Griffith's Valuation, Tithe Books, the 1901 and 1911 censuses, newspapers, hearth money rolls, the registry of deeds, estate records, and ordnance survey memoirs. Mitchell also explains the differences between the various administrative divisions of Ireland. Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy concludes with lists of all major Irish record offices and heritage centers, providing addresses and phone numbers, hours of operation, contact persons, and major record holdings. Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy is an invaluable roadmap to genealogical research in Ireland and ideally suited for those new to this branch of genealogical research.

The first very detailed reference work on both the Polish Army of the Duchy of Warsaw 1807-14, the Polish forces in the French Army and the Saxon Army 1791-1813. This is the most complete and thorough study of the Poles and Saxon during the wars of Napoleon, including their organization, uniforms, and accounts of their performance on the battlefield. From the desperate action of a handful of Poles defending a Spanish fortress to vast armies facing off to determine the fate of Europe, this lavishly illustrated work is researched from sources previously unavailable to any but the most ardent historian. Extensive orders of battle, organizational details and campaign accounts. Emperor's Press, hard dust jacket, 7 1/2 x 10 1/2, v, 266 pp, charts, illus and 16 color plates illustrating 48 uniforms.

This is absolutely the best source on Poles in the English language. The Poles were the staunchest ally of Napoleon. They were the only ally loyal to Napoleon to the last day. This book covers everything about them. Only the drawings are awful; the colors are just yuck. This author is known for his objectivity and great professionalism.

I thought that in English speaking countries the interest is only at the British and the French armies, despite the fact that the Napoleonic Wars took place in Central Europe,and not on British Islands or in Ireland, or along the English Channel! This book is so packed with information, ufff.

A lot of information about every regiment in the Polish and Saxon army. I recommend this art-work to everybody.