Ireland Books

The history of non-violent liberation movements, as re-told in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, often neglects mention of this wonderful character. Eyewitness to the bloody mess that was the French Revolution, he came to the task of liberating his own country with wit, energy and a commitment to avoid bloodshed.
The best part of this wonderful book for me is the story of how over a period of years, O'Connell and his "Catholic Rent", collected faithfully around the country, eventually empowered enough people to meet the requirements of the franchise (in effect, buying the right to vote) to be able to elect their own representatives instead of being represented again by men chosen for them by the local feudal establishment.
MacDonagh presents The Liberator in all his contradictory glory. Feared by the British as a rabble rouser and eventually dismissed as a compromiser by more radical successors, this careful Dublin lawyer showed his countrymen that their country could be theirs once again. It's a great story, as sad and thrilling as any good Irish story, and this book is wonderfully well written. I recommend it to anyone interested in human liberty and/or Irish history.

Few figures in Irish history loom as large as the nationalist politician Daniel O'Connell. Born in 1775 to a small landowning family, he was taken in by a wealthy uncle who sponsored his education. After studying in Catholic schools in France and at the Inns of Court in London, O'Connell quickly emerged as one of the most successful lawyers in Ireland and a leading figure in Irish politics. Having witnessed the excesses of the French Revolution, he rejected the use of violence and preferred to work within the existing political framework to achieve his goal of Catholic emancipation - one which he finally achieved in 1829 after decades of effort.

Oliver MacDonagh's book, the first of a two-volume study of O'Connell, details the personal and political struggles of this period of O'Connell's life. Relying heavily on O'Connell's extensive correspondence, MacDonagh provides an informative analysis of his life in a briskly-moving text that rarely bogs down in tedious detail. If there is a problem with this book, it lies in the author's assumptions of the reader's familiarity with the period. Too often he addresses people and events in passing, leaving out background details and even first names from his narrative. Some explanatory text about matters like the veto or comparisons of the cost of living in Ireland and France would have greatly aided his explanation of events.

Such problems aside, this is an excellent book. MacDonagh offers a well-written study of Daniel O'Connell's life, enhancing our understanding of his measures and motives. It is likely to remain the definitive study the man for many years to come, one that helps us to appreciate this dynamic individual and his impact on Irish history.

And so goes the story of Abelard and Heloise:

Living within the precincts of Notre-Dame, under the care of her uncle, the canon Fulbert, was a girl named Heloise, of noble birth, and born about 1101. She is said to have been beautiful, but still more remarkable for her knowledge, which extended beyond Latin, it is said, to Greek and Hebrew. Abélard fell in love with her; and he sought and gained a place in Fulbert's house. Becoming tutor to the girl, he used his power for the purpose of seduction, and she returned his devotion. Their relations interfered with his public work, and were not kept a secret by Abélard himself. Soon everyone knew except the trusting Fulbert. When he found out, they were separated, only to meet in secret. Heloise became pregnant, and was carried off by her lover to Brittany, where she gave birth to a son. To appease her furious uncle, Abélard proposed a secret marriage, in order not to mar his prospects of advancement in the church; but Heloise opposed the idea. She appealed to him not to sacrifice for her the independence of his life, but reluctantly gave in to pressure. The secret of the marriage was not kept by Fulbert; and when Heloise boldly denied it, life was made so difficult for her that she sought refuge in the convent of Argenteuil at Abélard's bidding. Immediately Fulbert, believing that her husband, who had helped her run away, wanted to be rid of her, plotted revenge. He and some others broke into Abélard's chamber by night, and castrated him. The priesthood and ecclesiastical office were canonically closed to him. Heloise, not yet twenty, consummated her work of self-sacrifice at Abélard's jealous bidding that she never again share romantic love with a man, and became a nun.

Sometimes men just get what they deserve! A fascinating autobiography that at turns is arrogant and at other bitter. A great read for any student of medieval history!

Peter Abelard (1079-c.1142) was a renowned French philosopher and theologian, though he is usually remembered today for his affair with the beautiful Heloise, which ended with his being castrated by the girl's uncle. This short book (48 pages) contains Peter Abelard's autobiography, entitled Historia Calamitatum or The Story of My Misfortunes, which was written shortly before his death. In it, Dr. Abelard, shows how his life unfolded; from his promising youth, through to his seduction of Heloise, and on to his problems as an abbot of the monastery at Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuis.

I must say, that I found this to be a fascinating read. Dr. Abelard thought very highly of himself, making such remarks as, "Thus I who by this time had come to regard myself as the only philosopher remaining in the whole world..." Concomitantly, he thought very little of the people around him. In his recollections, his brilliance shown like a thousand suns, and his teachers and fellows all came to hate him because of their jealousy. Everywhere he went people came to hate him, through no fault of his own, but only through their jealousy and evil. I imagine that he was a difficult man to love; my hat is off to Heloise.

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating, and very insightful read. I now feel that I understand what Peter Abelard was truly like. If you wish to read Dr. Abelard's defense of himself, and look through a window into his soul, then I highly recommend that you get this book.

After buying several books and guides I have found that Historic Houses Castles & Gardens is the perfect guide for anyone interested in travel to Great Britain and Ireland. It is jam packed with color photos of each location it presents. It provides acurate information on such topics as opening times, availible options, and location. The book also provides a very helpful listing of recommendations of properties by Johansen and a useful calender of events. Also included is a list of sites that perform civil marriages and maps showing all locations featured in the book. This book is wonderful for anyone that loves architecture or is planning a vaction. It is a very concise guide to some of the most wonderful treasures of Great Britain and Ireland.

Historic Houses Castles & Gardens is a wonderful guide for anyone interested in looking at beatiful architecture and for anyone planning a vacation. It has very accurate information and includes opening times, what is availible at each site, and interesting facts. The book also in includes reccomendations on where you can stay when in Great Brittian or Ireleand. It is a very comprehensive and wonderful guide to some of the treasuers of Great Brittian and Ireleand.

This book took a time and a man, explained the truth of the time and captured my heart. Knowing there was King and how Mr. Reno went about proving his existance was interesting, intreeging, heart warming and fun. I can not wait for the next book!

"The Historic King Arthur" is perhaps not a book suited for first-time travelers through the murky forests of Arthurian history, searching for the reality behind fifteen centuries of myths and tales. It might be best to first read one or more other works dealing with this great mystery before tackling Frank Reno's highly detailed, deep-delving study of the ancient sources that shed light upon the question. That way, the journey through the writings of Gildas and Nennius and Geoffrey of Monmouth and various scribes and poets will not be quite so daunting. But make no mistake about it, once some fundamental grounding in the basics of the Arthurian quest has been obtained, then "The Historic King Arthur" (and its sequel, "Historic Figures In the Arthurian Age") should be read carefully. Reno minutely examines each source (and most of them are to be found with numerous variations) to lay out his case for his solution to the central questions of the Arthurian mystery: Who was King Arthur? Where did he live? When did he live? Who were his enemies? What was his role in history? And what was really his name?

Reno acts as a guide in this journey in search of historical truth, explaining his methods and logic in evaluating the evidence, but he does not rigidly insist upon the absolute truth of his conclusions. Frequently, he explains that there are other reasonable answers to the questions than the one he favors. Sometimes, such as in his analysis of the locations of many of the battles fought by Arthur (as described in Reno's "Historic Figures In the Arthurian Era"), he concludes that no single "best" answer is really possible. At times, his explanations are complex and subtle to the point where the reader may have difficulty following the path Reno is laying out. That is perhaps a natural consequence of the type of evidence that must be used and of the detail in which it is presented. Usually, however, Reno returns to the same subject of investigation later in the book to again address the questions and to clarify his answers. Thus, attention to detail on the reader's part is required and patience must be exercised as the author slowly builds his case.

And what are Reno's answers to what above I termed the central questions? He believes that Arthur was of a Roman-British background, operating as a high king primarily in Wales and the adjacent midlands, although also in southern England and northern Gaul, from the middle of the Fifth Century AD through the early portion of the Sixth. Reno contends that many of Arthur's campaigns were waged not against Saxon hordes fresh from Germany, but against Saxons who had been settled in Britain for one or more generations, these "English" Saxons being in league with leaders and forces of native British. And Reno believes that "Arthur" was a man known otherwise to history as Ambrosius Aurelianus and as Riothamus and finally as Arthurex, not a name at all but an epithet connoting his status as a great leader.

I will not claim that I am yet wholly convinced of this "triad" equation of Ambrosius Aurelianus, Riothamus, and Arthur but, as the author himself points out, rejection of this total identity does not negate the validity of many parts of Reno's overall work. I found to be especial important Reno's conclusions regarding Cerdic, a "Saxon" king with a wholly Celtic name, and Cerdic's people, the West Saxons. If Reno is correct, our understanding of the Arthurian era must be substantially altered, with a consequence that the course of events becomes much more clear. I expect Reno's conclusions to be challenged - this is inevitable in a field where evidence is scant and subject to multiple interpretations - but at the very least he has provided us with a provocative, comprehensive portrait of man and era.

To my knowledge there is no other Arthurian study available to the general public that explores the ancient sources in such depth to provide answers to the old questions. If I might be critical of some peripheral features, I do wish that the index was somewhat more comprehensive and illuminating (given the complexity of the issues at hand, I found myself turning to the index again and again to go back to earlier points) and the maps, although numerous, sometimes lack the visual clarity that could have been achieved. Nonetheless, "The Historic King Arthur" and "Historic Figures In the Arthurian Era" are books that should be of great interest to anyone seriously interested in attempting to glimpse the real King Arthur.

Plakans' dictionary is well thought out and reads extremely well with supporting background material. A must for scholars and historians as well as the casual Baltic observer or student!

For anyone who is interest in the history of Latvia, this book is a MUST. The book does not go in great depth. But presents the reader with highlights of Latvian history, culture, and chronology. Most of the book consists of a historical dictionary. The historical dictionary, portion of the book, is interesting. After the dictionary, I would rate the bibliography as interesting and useful. It is 25-1/2 pages long.

This book is a MUST, for the Latvian historian.

Having stayed in 38 paradors in Spain, I found this book to be most interesting and illustrated with beautiful photographs; I only wish it had included a few more of the paradors. Many of our friends know that we are devoted to the Paradores, and now plan our yearly trips to Spain around them, so I consider this book to be an appropriate Christmas gift.

About 80% beautiful photos and 20% useful information, Historical Paradors : A Journey Through Spanish Hotels shows a side of beautiful Spain that most tourists never see. The photos of these stunning architectural wonders stir the imagination of the Old World and makes me twitch towards planning my next trip to Spain. This book is DEFINITELY coffee-table caliber!!! And if MadridMan of MadridMan.com likes it, it's GOT to be gooooood!

This review is necesary for understand the History Teory, it's more importand for thaformation of de Historian

This review is necesary for understand the History Teory, it's more importand for thaformation of de Historian

J.B. Bury wrote his "History of Greece" before World War I, but it was such a good overview of classical Greek history that the third edition was still being used as a college textbook in the late 1960's. Although only selected portions of the text were assigned reading, I read the book cover to cover and have kept it to this day. Bury writes in a lucid, easily understood style that entertains as it educates. Although Bury recounts campaigns and battles in stirring fashion, he does not neglect the Greek contributions to politics, the arts, and sciences. Except for his obvious dislike of the Spartan King Agesilaus, I found Bury to be fair and even-handed in his evaluation of the peoples and events that shaped Greek history.

I've read about 20 books on ancient Greek history, and this is by far my favorite of the secondary sources. Oddly, it was a college textbook -- otherwise, I probably never would have come across it. As I read more Greek History books, I always came back to this one.

Bury not only is an engaging author, but he doesn't ascribe to a 'special' school. History is not just economics and sociology, governmental systems, or great leaders. All of these elements of history are well presented. Furthermore, Bury has just the right mix of presenting history and of speculation, with an emphaisis on the former (as a textbook); nonetheless, his speculations and comments are thoughtful and outstanding. He is balanced. When he talks about tyrants, he went through the gamut of beneficial ones like Cleithenes of Sicyon, enlightened but despotic like Cypsalis of Corinth, and the usual bad ones.

As an example of his insights, he discusses how clever Cyrus II was (the man that tried to take over the Persian throne with Greek mercenaries, leading to the Anabasis), and how he at an early time made military innovations with the Greek phalanx he had as his mercenary army. Bury speculates how a Greek victory, putting Cyrus on the throne, would have been bad for Greece as a whole, since Persia would have an innovative and energetic king.

The book is full of facts. It is not a fast read. Noentheless, it is simply a great source book and very good reead for ancient Greek History.

Of all the books I've read on this subject, this one is by far the most impressive. Hennessy has managed to present an unbelievably fair account of how each community viewed the major events in Northern Ireland's brief but contentious history. Most books I've read have a slight nationalist slant, which is usually understandable. However, as an Irish American who has outgrown the simplistic version of the story, I find that too many of these books leave me with more questions than answers. Not so with Hennessy - there is more information in this single volume than in the combined weight of all I've read.

Be warned, however, that if you're looking for an easy read and a rough outline, this book will be way too much for you. It is absolutely nothing but the facts. But if you want to read one book that will give you the straight story, free of the media's distortions, the politicians' spin, and yesterday's version of Irish nationalism, PLEASE read this one!

Thomas Hennessey has managed to achieve a feat few have managed before him. He has created an informative, yet balanced account of the history of the Northern Ireland state. He manages to put across all viewpoints to the conflict, without allowing any one to prevail. For those who wish to read an unbiased, and highly informative account this is the book. Beware however those looking to find information to back up their prejudices - they won't find them here.

John R. Walsh and Thomas Bradley are a pair of expert history and religion teachers. They draw upon their considerable expertise in A History Of The Irish Church 400-700 AD, offering the reader a straightforward overview of the 300 year time span that characterized a true golden age in Irish art and an era when Ireland earned its lasting and justifiable reputation as a land of saints and scholars. A deftly researched study, narrated in a style as completely accessible to non-specialist general readers as it is to history scholars, A History Of The Irish Church 400-700 AD is a welcome and recommended addition to Irish History and Christian Historical Studies supplemental reading lists and library reference collections.

There have, over the past several years, been many texts highlighting the unique contribution of the Irish church to the preservation of the church, culture, and general literacy and administrative strength to Western civilisation. This book by John Walsh and Thomas Bradley fits well in this genre, exploring the history of the Irish church from the years 400-700, roughly corresponding to the time period from the fall of Rome to the beginnings of medievalism in Europe.

During this period, Ireland was saved much of the trouble caused during the general collapse of the Roman Imperial establishment and way of life across Western Europe, as such Imperium had never been established in Ireland. Even the Christianity that was brought over assumed a different character pastorally, academically and liturgically from its British and Continental sources. Walsh and Bradley begin with a brief chapter on Christianity prior to the advent of Patrick, and then devote three chapters to looking at Patrick, the great apostle to the Irish, in terms of who he was, his mission and its setting, and the Church at Armagh.

Following this, Walsh and Bradley look at Irish monasticism, its origins in France and Britain, and the way in which monastic structures came to rival the more traditional diocesan pattern of church authority and administration. Different theories are advanced, including the possibility of plague and the fact that Ireland lacked the secular Diocletian-instituted settings of administration the Continental church co-opted. Walsh and Bradley also look at the character of Irish monastic life liturgically, architecturally, administratively, and from a day-to-day living basis. Many leading Irish thinkers and saints came from the monastic tradition, and many of these leaders are highlighted.

Of particular note for Walsh and Bradley are Colum Cille, an Irish monastic who worked in Britain, and Columba, who saw as his mission field the areas of Continental Europe. Colum Cille was the first great Irish missionary abroad. Colum Cille might have had royal positions had he not turned his attention to the church instead. His upper-class connections likewise might have provided a respectability for the church among the royal and aristocratic classes, and ultimately providing it with an authority beyond simple moral authority. Colum Cille continued as a monastic to be involved in secular affairs, perhaps even being the cause of battles and strife such that he was driven into exile, where he established the community at Iona, famous to this day, and mother monastery to other famous places, such as Kells.

Columba is a very accessible person, having been a prolific writer who established communities and schools with libraries across the continent. Columba's missions took him all across Gaul, and into Italy and Germanic territories. His influence went even further afield, as did that of Irish monasticism generally, as people from Britain and the Continent decided to be trained and educated in the monasteries in Ireland, and then return to their homes with such influence as would be gained there.

Walsh and Bradley conclude by exploring issues such as the Easter-dating controversy and the wider issues it raised for local autonomy and diversity over against central authority and uniformity of practice, and by looking at the unique character and qualities of Celtic art as expressed through Irish Christian artists. Celtic crosses and illuminated manuscripts are but a few of the magnificent productions of this period.

Overall, this is a well-written and engaging book, meant for the casual reader as well as the general scholar. It includes a few endnotes with each chapter, and a bibliography arranged with general titles as well as resources specific to each chapter and topic covered. There are several basic but useful maps highlighting locations in Ireland, Britain and Continental Europe of monasteries, missions, and other important landmarks.

Columba Press (name for St. Columba, 'the dove of the church') is a growing press based in Ireland, begun in 1985 with three titles relating to religious and spiritual themes. Since then, they have grown substantially and now publish across a broad range of areas, including pastoral resources, spirituality, theology, the arts, and history. With over 200 books in print, they add another 30 or so each year. Additionally, they are the British/Irish/European distributors for many other titles in the same fields.