Ireland Books

After all that's been written about Lafayette, this book was a complete surprise. It added much to read of his wife's devotion and abilities and their lifelong relationship. It also places them in history, and by reading their letters, you are introduced to them directly. This book is not only entertaining but scholarly. Should be in every college library.

After reading both Unger and Kramer on the astounding life of General Lafayette, I was very curious about his wife. This book of letters and history concerning her life of privilege and partnership is a complement to what most people know about her famous husband. Both the American and French Revolutions were pivotal in their life together of sharing their wealth to the very end. Adrienne generously gave the peasants working her land the best circumstances of the day, while Lafayette at age 18 bought and outfitted a ship to help the colonies win freedom. Three daughters and a son were born while the General was going back and forth across the Atlantic to muster more help from the French for the new nation. Their only son was named George Washington Lafayette and he escaped being imprisoned due to his mother's clever arrangement. Before she joined her husband in prison voluntarily, she snuck her son out of France to be raised for several years by Martha and George Washington. Lafayette's two daughters also joined their father in prison. When Lafayette was not allowed to enter France, his wife pursued their family interests in war torn Paris and environs. She regained La Grange for Lafayette's retirement. He survived Adrienne by almost 30 years at this lovely chateaux and never remarried. She died at 50 due to her illness contracted at the prison where she decided to join her beloved husband. Many relatives were guillotined, so Adrienne arranged their burial site at Picpus Cemetery to be close to the thousands dumped in a mass grave. An American flag flys over their grave for they were both truely "Partners in Liberty's Cause." Lafayette took a triumphal tour of all the United States and returned to France with American soil to spread over their graves. Both equal partners and generous souls.

Professor Robert Wohl examines the phenomenon of the development of the generational history as applied to the study of the "generation of 1914" in five major European countries - France, Germany, Britain, Spain and Italy.

The generation of "wanderers between two worlds", devastated, redeemed and then lost in the Great War. This was not a unified collection of people, but really three waves with only a few years apart - those which came to 1914 with a sense of duty, values and purpose, those 17 year olds who only a few years younger did not take time to mature and were thrust head on to the doom of Verdun, and lastly those who were prepared to the fact that their lifes will be lost, but did not have time to serve when the war ended in 1918, but were marked by it for the rest of their lifes. How different this experience must've been, and how intimately and delicately things intervined to create a common thrust of the generation of the war. Wohl explores those experiences from phylosophical, philological, economical, religious and political perspective. Althought the book is packed with footnotes, anotations and hundereds of names, it reads in a very fluid fashion.

Wohl does an excellent job reworking the idea of 'generational history' in the context of the Great War. With a study of France, Germany, England, Spain and Italy, Wohl looks at the ways in which generations involve themselves in society. What is striking about this book is the fact that Wohl has chosen to situate it in the context of the very confusing lead-up to the First World War. Some general socio-political history, but really an excellent tool for understanding what it meant to be young in 5 different and important countries of Europe. If you are looking to get a handle on what it meant to be of the war generation, their history and unfortunate fate, then this is an absolute must-read. On the whole, remarkably readable, although it does get a bit heavy in philosophy as well. All in all, well worth the effort!

This is a very well researched book using the rich Genoese archives as well as material from other Italian collections. The subject, policy and power in Genoa, provides a good comparison with the more fully covered Venetian republic. It is a good contribution to the complex world of the Mediterranean in the Early Modern period.

There are many histories of Florence and Venice, but far fewer of Genoa. Genoa And The Sea: Policy And Power In An Early Modern Maritime Republic 1559-1684 is the story of one of Italy's great cities along the Mediterranean coast, and its transformation from a maritime republic into one of Europe's most crucial financial centers. When Spanish prosperity began to wane, Genoa, whose trade and prosperity had been closely linked with Spain, had to reinvent itself to continue its prosperity. A critical key to Genoa's success was a free-port policy that spurred trade and made it especially inviting to merchants. A thoroughly researched, scholarly scrutiny of a changing economic era as reflected in a bustling and complex metropolis.

Gentleman Spies: Intelligence Agents In The British Empire And Beyond by historian John Fisher is a truly fascinating and informative look at political undermining between nations since before the first world war. The evolution of a British foreign intelligence bureau, originally called SIS and which later evolved into the legendary MI6, whose mission was to specifically provide vital information about activities stemming from the furthest corners of the British empire, is presented with incredible anecdotal tales of intrigue and deceit. An amazing, deftly researched look at the cutthroat machinations of international history, Gentleman Spies is totally absorbing reading from first page to last!

Gentleman Spies: Intelligence Agents In The British Empire And Beyond by historian John Fisher is a truly fascinating and informative look at political undermining between nations since before the first world war. The evolution of a British foreign intelligence bureau, originally called SIS and which later evolved into the legendary MI6, whose mission was to specifically provide vital information about activities stemming from the furthest corners of the British empire, is presented with incredible anecdotal tales of intrigue and deceit. An amazing, deftly researched look at the cutthroat machinations of international history, Gentleman Spies is totally absorbing reading from first page to last!

The usual men-at-arms quality and concise coverage of all facets of the topic. This second title on the armies of Medieval Germany is illustrated by the late Angus McBride and reveals some of the bizarre costumes and armor decor of the knights and mercenaries of this period.

The usual good basic coverage by Osprey, covering the Holy Roman Empire. Wars were frequent, between principates, towns and cities, leagues, robber barons, religious groups. It's no wonder that Germany would be the site of some of the bloodiest campaigns during the later Thirty Years' War. There is also an excellent section on the Hussites and their unique method of fighting the Empire. There is even a halfway decent map in this one! The excellent color plates by Angus Mcbride start with chainmail and end with full gothic plate armor.

What happens when the basic strategic assumptions that a country has used to formulate its war plans are shown to be misguided or worse? What happens when these assumptions are at the same time part of your country's strategic culture, the way that your military staff officers have been taught not only to fight, but to think about war? How does one implement such changes against ingrained resistance from the very military that one is attempting to reform?

Failure is likely, and the aftermath for the commander attempting such a radical rethink is liable to be very unpleasant. Consider that even given the best of circumstances, any commander would be hard pressed to change so much under the pressure of war.

Consider the case of Erich von Falkenhayn, Chief of the German General Staff from November 1914 to August 1916, who is remembered formost today as the architect of the bloodbath of Verdun.

Robert T. Foley's book traces the strategic discussion back to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, when the German strategic theorist Colmar von der Goltz made the case that it was the second part of the war, not Moltke's seemingly decisive victories at Sedan and Metz, which pointed the way to the future, that being Volkskrieg, the mobilization of the people by the state bringing vast resources to bear for the continuance of the war, which had become essentially national projects, not the affairs of narrow interests.

Foley follows the pre-1914 debate and considers the opening offensives in the West in 1914 along with the rise of Erich van Falkenhayn.

Falkenhayn had his own views as to how to best end the war and also to the limits of Germany's resources. It came down to the distinction between following a "strategy of annihilation" or a "strategy of attrition" with Falkenhayn deciding that the latter was Germany's only chance. The distinction here is Delbrück's as Foley points out.

Which brings us back to the questions I asked in the first paragraph. Falkenhayn failed and in fact was not even aware of the real difficulties of the task he had attempted. He was also later burdened with the failures of his enemies, who lacked his sense of honor in accepting responsibility for their actions, especially after the war. The General comes across in Foley's account as a complex, but very understandable human being, unlike say Ludendorff who must have known the truth by the end of 1918, but never accepted responsibility, this all going back again to the choice of strategies. Had Ludendorff followed Falkenhayn's example there would have been no "stab in the back" after 1918.

In all a very interesting history of the Western Front during 1914-16 with some coverage of the Eastern Front in 1915 as well. It is interesting that as we approach the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the war, Germany doesn't look much different from Britain or France in terms of their war aims, we seem to have finally put much of the propaganda of 1914-18 behind us.

Anyone interested in the battle of Verdun and why it developed the way it did would find this book of interest, as would most interested in the First World War. Perhaps the main audience are those interested in strategic theory since this work indicates very well the dangers of changing strategic "horses" in midstream, something that is being attempted today, as it was in 1916.

Robert T. Foley's new book, "German Strategy.." is an examination of German military ideas from the end of the Franco-German War to the First World War. It culminates in an in-depth investigation of Falkenhayn's strategy for 1916, including the role of the Verdun battle in his overall plan.

The book is extremely well researched, and a look at the book's
bibliography shows the hard work, and amount of research the author put into his study. Sources include many unpublished documents from various archives in multiple countries.

On the salient point of Verdun, and Falkenhayn's true intentions, the author weaves a larger picture of German strategy for 1916, with the Verdun battle being but a piece of an overall larger plan. Foley himself admits that reconstructing Falkenhayn's true plan is difficult, due to the amount of secrecy and disinformation involved-that being said he does an admirable job.

Most interestingly Foley does not include Falkenhayn's famous "Christmas Memorandum," of 1915 as one of the pieces in reconstructing the Verdun puzzle. He states that because the authenticity of the Memorandum has never been established, and in fact, has been disputed, he does not include it. Instead, he relies on first hand accounts of conversations with Falkenhayn, and plans requested from, and submitted by, various German armies along the Western front.

He builds a picture of Falkenhayn's strategy for 1916 which is compelling. Verdun was to be the means to draw the French reserves into battle, inflict casualties on them, and weaken other areas of the French front by drawing troops to the Verdun battle. The Verdun battle was also to provoke a premature Allied counter-attack, which would be bled white by German forces on the defensive. Once these aims had been achieved Falkenhayn would use his own reserve forces to launch attacks at other points along the front. Foley also gives a detailed description of the execution of the Verdun battle and how it went wrong.

His book ends by explaining how the failure of Falkenhayn's strategy led the German military to abandon its attempt at a strategy of attrition, and return to the strategy of annihilation.

Foley's book it well written, with copious notes on sources, and well balanced. He even includes footnotes such as, "For a differing view see."

By presenting a comprehensive view of Falkenhayn's strategy for 1916, with Verdun as only one aspect of that strategy, the author goes a long way towards removing the shroud of mystery that has surrounded Falkenhayn and objectives for Verdun.

I have read this story to my third graders for the past few years and they absolutely love it. This is a great story for March. Use as an introduction to the folklore of leprechauns. This story keeps my students' attention until the last page.

The Gift is fantastic! While reading this book, my fourth grade students sometimes roll on the floor in fits of laughter and sometimes sit quietly with eyes glistening. It is beautifully written with an important message about family, love, and roots. Unfortunately, the original art in it is GROTESQUE, probably to blame for its being removed from print. I BEG A PUBLISHER TO GET IT BACK IN PRINT--without illustrations!! I KNOW it will be a big seller!

What a wonderful book this is! Conlon's voice is real...her character are people, living, loving, despairing, and making the best of it all.

Every single one of them rings a bell and the honesty is refreshing and true. They are a group of real friends who know when to tell the truth and when to think over telling the truth. Everyone takes responsibility for who they are and they accept, support, and make allowances.

This is what it's all about.

Best novel I read since Charming Billy. Had trouble putting it down, it gripped me immediately and does s fine job of increasing conflict up to the very last chapter. Story told with letters and an occasional chapter devoted to a single character providing his/her background from childhood on. Well written, characters developed in full. Read the book from our library - it was published in Ireland - and purchased a copy to send to a daughter who will loan it to others. Wonderful story - or stories really.

This is a fine introduction to the problems of 1688/89. The discussion of quite contentious issues is admirably judicious, and Miller is very sensitive to the long-term implications of the events he describes. In addition, Miller provides a very strong collection of supporting documents: while each of the "Seminar Series" includes some primary sources, this is one of the best collections in the series. 1688 is a crucial event in political history, and Miller provides an excellent way to begin a study of the subject.

This is the best short introduction to England's 1688 revolution and the consequences that flowed from it. It is an updated version of an earlier edition, and it pays greater attention than its predecessor to the revolution in England's public finances that stemmed from 1688. It also has new material on Scotland and Ireland. The choice of original documents to accompany the text is excellent.

The author has artfully created a painful and powerful portrait of a woman ravaged by social conventions and the horrible perversions of sexual abuse. The book is extremely well-written...even so, it is painful to read simply because the horror of abuse wallops one right in the face. One's heart aches for Elizabeth. The story serves as a stark reminder that this is not just a "fiction" account. Many children throughout the world today are living Elizabeth's life. Although I've read other reviews of the book which claim a "hopeful" ending, I found the ending to be a resignation to the stagnant, love-starved state of a woman's bloodied heart. Elizabeth's decision to become a single parent is a cry of despair. Do read the book to get a true idea of how the abused feel.

This is a very emotional book. The central character is Elizabeth Wallace and it tells of her childhood stolen by abuse and dependence, her adolescence filled with confusion and her early womanhood leaden with the difficulties of coming to terms with her abuse by her father as well as the dependence and later the loss of her mother. The Elizabeth at the end of the book is a strong woman who, disillusioned with family life as she has experienced it, chose a commitment to motherhood on her own terms. It is a book that will bring home to you the destruction caused by alcohol and abuse and remind you that every child has a right to their innocence. It is an extremely well written book, which even though the subjects dealt with are at times far from pleasent, makes the book a pleasure to read. Definitely worth a try and you will not forget it in a hurry.