Reviews (2)

Focused Look at Collins' Political Career
Dwyer tackles his Collins biography by focusing on Michael's roles as a military man and a politico. As a matter of fact, Dwyer's opening chapter addresses the speech from which his subtitle was taken: Arthur Griffith's proclamation in the Irish Dáil that Collins was "the man who won the war." From there, Dwyer explores Collins' part in the Easter Rising, his productive time in jail, and his reintroduction to the republican movement in Dublin. The core of the book is dedicated to how Collins dismantled the system of British counter-intelligence in Ireland and the subsequent retalliation, Bloody Sunday. The last thirty pages examine Collins' duty in negotiating and then defending the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Collins' assassination and the aftermath of his death are not discussed. In the epilogue, Dwyer takes a moment to reassess Collins' awe-inspiring contributions to Irish independence and the sad conflict that developed between he and de Valera. Throughout the work, it is easy to see that Dwyer is obviously an admirer of Collins and pulls no punches as he evaluates de Valera, his followers, and the anti-Treatyites. He is not afraid to inject his own opinion into the text and such commentary is part of what causes Dwyer's biography to stand out from the rest of the pack. All things considered, this book is well worth your time, especially if you already have a basic knowledge about Collins' life and would like to know more. Because this book really contains no information on Collins' younger years, his early work in London, or the months prior to his death, I would not recommend it as a good Collins biography to read first. Make Dwyer's work second or third on your list.

An Intimate Portrait of a Complex Man
T. Ryle Dwyer (who also wrote "Big Fellow, Long Fellow")has written a study of Michael Collins that revolves primarily around his leadership of the war of independence against England and his interaction with his compatriots and competitors in that war. Dwyer takes praticular interest in the rivalries and tensions among the leading characters in the conflict, especially those between Collins and De Valera and Cathal Brugh. Collins is presented as a complex and charismatic man whose objective was independence for his country, not personal power, and who could charm and cajole, or terrorize and assassinate with equal effectiveness in pursuit of that goal. It is a fascinating, intimate portrait of a man whose peersonality was central to the success of the independence fight, after 800 years of unsuccessful rebellions, and who, while he may not have single-handedly "won the war", was the one single factor without which the war would most likely NOT have been won. A fascinating read about a fascinating leader. ... Read more

Book Description

He’s been imprisoned, shot at, denounced, shunned, and banned, yet Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams remains resolute in his belief that peace is the only viable option for the Irish people. Adams led the oldest revolutionary movement in Ireland on an extraordinary journey from armed insurrection to active participation in government. Now he tells the story of the tumultuous series of events that led to the historic Good Friday Agreement as only he can: with a tireless crusader’s conviction and an insider’s penetrating insight.

In vivid detail, Adams describes the harrowing attack on his life, and he offers new details about the peace process. We learn of previously undisclosed talks between republicans and the British government, and of conflicts and surprising alliances between key players. Adams reveals details of his discussions with the IRA leadership and tells how republicans differed, “dissidents” emerged, and the first IRA cessation of violence broke down. He recounts meetings in the Clinton White House, tells what roles Irish-Americans and South Africans played in the process, and describes the secret involvement of those within the Catholic Church. Then—triumphantly—this inspiring story climaxes with the Good Friday Agreement: what was agreed and what was promised.

Gerry Adams brings a sense of immediacy to this story of hope in what was long considered an intractable conflict. He conveys the acute tensions of the peace process and the ever-present sense of teetering on the brink of both joyous accomplishment and continued despair. With a sharp eye and sensitive ear for the more humorous foibles of political allies and enemies alike, Adams offers illuminating portraits of the leading characters through cease-fires and standoffs, discussions and confrontations. Among the featured players are John Major, Tony Blair, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Jean Kennedy Smith, and Nelson Mandela.

As the preeminent republican strategist of his generation, Gerry Adams provides the first comprehensive account of the principles and tactics underpinning modern Irish republicanism. And in a world where peace processes are needed more urgently than ever, A Farther Shore provides a template for conflict resolution. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Recommended Reading
Gerry Adams is a native of "northern Ireland" and he is a politician and head of Sinn Fein party which means in translation "ourselves". As a nationalist he has worked for many years for the cause on Irish unity. He has had many ups and downs including being shot, serving jail time and being elected an MP to Westminster, etc. The book covers the period from approximately 1970 to 1998.

I would like to quote one passage from the book that says a lot about his thinking. This was during negotiations with all the parties in London at Lancaster House, the building of prior historical negotiations. Here 150 years after the great famine he describes the setting for the negotiations..." It was here-amid the grandeur and the Lousi XIV interiors and the other fine furnishings, undoubtedly stolen from around the world or purchased with other ill gotten gains...". So his Irish nationalism and his annoyance with the colonial English rulers are abundantly clear - even in the late 1990's. People that understand colonialism certainly can empathize with Mr Adams.

Gerry Adams has written approximately eight other books so he is not new to books. This is a substantial book about 400 pages long, small font, lots of details. He is not a professional writer and sometimes the writing is a bit cumbersome. Having said that this is simply an excellent read both entertaining and engrossing. He professes to be a politician (only) and explains many of his meetings, discussions, jail time, etc. He describes his meeting with Clinton and Blair in great detail, often hour by hour, and often explains the actions of many people working with him on various negotiations. Beyond that I think you should read the book. It is his view of a complicated subject - whether you agree with him or not - and it is an excellent book

Five Stars.

Jack in Toronto

Lies,Lies. Lies
How could anyone possibly read any of this and believe that it is a work a literature, its nothing but propaganda full of mind altering lies. He wants you to believe that he is revolutionary aiming for a United Ireland, free from war. Heres the truth Jerry Adams is IRA, responsible for countless needless deaths of police officers, politicians and civillians both protestant and catholic. He has other members of IRA in his so called "political" party, murderers in goverment. Terrorisim is terrorisim, be it Palistine, Al-Qaeda or the widely believed "romantic" IRA. DO NOT GET THIS BOOK BY GIVING JERRY ADAMS YOUR MONEY, unless the price of toilet paper had suddenly rose!!!!!

Sinn Fein's gamble on the peace process
This book begins with the hunger strikes of 1980-1981 and ends with the Good Friday Agreement of 1992, as seen by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. It also goes over events during that period - the beginnings of secret negotiations with the British, the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the Gibraltar executions, the initial ceasefire, support for the peace process from the USA as well as a country that had just had a peaceful settlement after years of fighting, South Africa, bad faith from the British, and finally the Good Friday Agreement.

Aside from going over the history, he details the negotation back-and-forth minutiae - sometimes going into too much detail about tactical political maneuvering by the various parties. He also includes humorous anecdotes like how during the Good Friday agreement negotiations, the Sinn Fein representatives went out of their way to be extra nice to the unionist representatives, who wouldn't speak to them, always holding open doors, smiling, saying hello in such a "lovefest" of niceness that the unionists eventually complained.

What I found particularly interesting was his discussion of the RTE and BBC censorship of Sinn Fein, and the effect that this had on people in England and the 26 counties perception. He discusses the gap between republicans and loyalists throughout, his earlier work has some insightful reflections on this as well. Gone is the young idealistic man of "Before the Dawn", in this book he is an older man, a tactically sharp politician who was smart enough to get rid of some of the harmful archaic dogmatic blockades of republicanism (like not running candidates in the 26 counties), and who is at the vanguard of a new republican strategic gamble - success via peaceful politics.

Lies from beginning to end
A compendium of lies. A wholly mendacious and self-serving account of recent Irish history. Adams's leadership position in the terrorist IRA is not admitted, nor are the many bombings and murders he ordered, nor the beatings, nor the torture, nor the IRA's formal commitment to socialism. Atrociously written too, with a cliché in every paragraph. A disgusting work of propaganda from the smiler with the knife.

John A Murphy review
Murphy is a distinguished Irish academic. In the Sunday Independent, Nov 23, 2003, he makes the following assessments:

"Mr Adams is smugness personified"

"Now that IRA violence has receded, and the rhetoric of peace is dominant, republicans are busy revising and sanitising the recent past"

"The welter of detail becomes tedious, the material is chaotically disorganised and repetitious, with the action moving back and forth in higgledy-piggledy style"

"A rancorous anti-British tone characterises this book from beginning to end .. This cheap and malignant Anglophobia has always been a staple component of Irish nationalism; it thrives on the victim-grievance fungus and it goes down a treat with the electorate - who feel good about blaming the wicked stepmother, though she seems to be extremely generous"

"He is distrustful, if not contemptuous, of "26 county" politicians and of the Southern "establishment", which seems to include everybody not in sympathy with Sinn Fein. (Fundamentally Adams is a Northern nationalist inhabiting an early-20th century time warp)" ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (185)

A thought provoking novel
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is one of the more complex books, from a reader's standpoint, in that it doesn't move along in a logical fashion. However, this shouldn't dissuade you from reading it. There is much to be learned in the semi-autobiographical novel by James Joyce. It is the story of a young boy and his experiences growing up in Ireland. The age of the main character (Stephen Dedalus) at the beginning of the novel is not known. But it can be inferred that he is probably between 6-9 years old. The book continues with his life experiences, from his point of view, until he is in his late teen years. There is much to be learned about life in Ireland, the role of the church and politics in a boy's life, and the development of a young man as he grows up from this novel.

The literary techniques used in this novel are very interesting, no doubt ideas from an extremely talented writer, but it is these techniques that can leave a reader easily wondering what's going on. The language of the novel itself progresses with the maturity of the main character. The book begins with small snap-shots of young Stephen's life. The ideas put forth in the first few pages are ideas that you might expect from the mind of a young grade school child. Unfortunately these ideas are also as random as you might expect from a young child and it is sometimes hard to follow the plot. Thankfully as the novel progresses it becomes more structured in its presentation and is much easier to understand. In fact, at the end of the story, the novel is written as entries from a journal. Some of the images that Joyce uses throughout his novel are birds, water, hands, and the color white. It is interesting to look at how Stephen's perception of these different images changes as the novel progresses.

The issues of religion and politics play a large role in this novel. I am not very familiar with the politics or religious conflicts that existed in Ireland during the time period when this book was written. It would be helpful to be aware of these issues while reading this book, as they are very central to the plot. It was interesting even with a lack of knowledge to see a young boy's perception of the Catholic Church and also to see how his perception changed as the novel progressed.

Another interesting thing that I found while reading "Portrait" was how Stephen was constantly trying to find somewhere to fit in. He seemed to be an outcast throughout the book, finally at the end deciding to leave his country and religion behind. I didn't like the ending because it seemed to me that he was just running away from his problems. This seems to be a common problem today and I didn't like the fact that it was romanticized in "Portrait".

I was required to read this book as part of an English class and I can honestly say that it is a book that I would not have read otherwise. It had its good points and was definitely thought provoking but I don't feel that I would highly recommend it. One thing that might be helpful in reading this book would be to look at some commentary of the book before attempting to read it. That way, you could be familiar with what to look for rather than plodding along (as I did) for much of the book trying to figure out what's going on.

Nicely Crafted
This book was never meant to be exciting. If you are at all like Polonius as Hamlet describes, "he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps," then A Portrait of the Artist is probably not for you. However, it is a wonderful piece of art which expresses the coming-of-age struggle like the best of them. Like most novels of this genre, the main character (Stephen) certainly has characteristics and struggles that everyone can relate with...although in this particular instance I would find it stunning if one related with him completely. Not only does it have narrative value, but the tale of Stephen mirrors the life of Joyce himself and thus can give any curious soul an insight into the inner struggles and development of a genius.

The stream of consciousness is not tough at all in this work and basically has the effect of portraying age, emotion, and train of thought. Note all of the references to sensation and color...from the beginning he shows the signs of an artist. There aren't frequent shifts in time like there are in Benjy's and Quentin's sections of The Sound and the Fury, although there are certain events that do replay in the present from the past.

This is a story of the struggle of a youth against orthodoxy - religious, linguistic, and nationalistic. The sermons given at the retreat are by far the finest part of the entire novel: rich with diction, imagery, and symbolism. Although I am not religious at all, the passages on hell still evoked a fear within me - which could only have been a glimmer of the full effect it had on young Stephen.

Joyce also articulates a philosophy of aesthetics through Stephen later on in the novel, which may more may not be meant to be Joyce's own. I am not going to explain it here, as it falls in with the flow of the novel.

Overall, this novel was enjoyable and artistic although the story was not significantly memorable. Read it as a prelude to Ulysses.

The best edition of "A Portrait"
Depending on one's taste and level of concentration, James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" is either tedious flop or a wonderful cornerstone of world literature. (I believe the latter.) I won't go into a discussion of "A Portrait" here because if you are looking at this particular Viking Critical edition, you've already committed yourself to reading it. The value of this edition lies in the critical essays and notes at the end. The notes will help the reader along, as they explain some of the terms and/or conditions that are particular to Joyce's Ireland. The essays are, each and every one, valuable tools. Whether it's an examination of Joyce's life, the creation of "A Portrait", the influences it would have, etc., every essay is a heavy-weight that enchances an understanding of the book. (At least it did for me.) If you're seriously considering reading "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" this is the edition to use.

Beautiful
Sure its pretentious, frustrating, difficult, etc., but it is also such a rewarding read. Boring sections like chapter 3 with the church sermon set up excellent ones, such as the end of Chapter 4, with Stephen's epiphany, which I must say is the most beautiful, glorious thing I have ever read. the emotion and symbolism (such as Stephen Dedalus taking flight from society much like his Greek namesake Daedalus did from an island) is simply overwhelming. I had to read this for a college english class (as well as write an essay on it) but i still enjoyed it. the stream of conciousness style may be too difficult and odd for some but i found a nice break from other literature, which is more than i can say for the similar novel To the Lighthouse by Woolf (also extremely good stylistically, but much less interesting). brilliant, but not a good introduction to joyce for those still in high school or not used to reading challenging literature. I would recommend "The Dead" to try him out first.

Largely unintelligible.
Cut straight to the chase here: I tried really hard, I really did. But after a while I couldn't read more than a sentence without losing concentration, and then noticing half a page later that I had no idea what was going on.

It's painfully dull, and frustratingly difficult. I thought it was alright at first, but before you realise it, your man Stephen Dedalus is 16 or something, and then he may be older, but you've no idea when it happened.

I enjoyed all the guilt he was feeling at visiting pros, and the five page description of hell (or more), and in the end it was a real shame that I had to stop reading it. I was almost 300 pages in, and just realised there was absolutely no point in continuing since it was sending me to sleep, but I was so close to the end!

So anyway, there it is. I didn't want to slag it off, but if I can't get through it there's nothing more I can do. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Memory through the looking glass
In this bittersweet memoir about growing up and growing old, Dermot Healy explores the quality of memory, of tales told and heard and told again, of times half-remembered. Highly stylistic prose reflects the stream of humanconsciousness, where sometimes a leaf floats past and we think we recognizeit as a leaf that floated past a year before. Dermot Healy's "Bend forHome" is part "Portrait of the Artist" and part"Angela's Ashes," combining the ambient grey of Irish povertywith characteristic Irish humor.

Healy has been criticized for betrayinghis mother's memory in the book's sometimes hilarious, sometimes wrenchinglast chapter. But it is one of the most touching accounts of a son andmother's last days together since I read Mark Spragg's "Where RiversChange Direction." What would make his mother proud is knowing thatHealy has become one of the first rank of Irish authors, and his account ofher decline is a sad, beautiful piece of work.

Healy should be morewidely read in America, if only because his is an original voice in a newkey, Irish accent or not.

An English memoir ?
The cover picture is not Irish but is a photograph of the small town in ENGLAND where I grew up !

Refeshing!!!
Dermot Healy doesn't write like Frank McCourt or anyone else, he writeshis memior like Dermot Healy. Accept that and you are off to a good startto be able to appreciate his memior.What I found refershing about his wayof writing was he did it more to a way that people do tend to recall theirlives. It isn't always in direct synchronization,neat,tidy,perfect. Wewander,there are impressions we gather because we don't always recall exactverbatum of conversations - here is where writers must embellish a bitcreatively.Try to recall your own life to date, try to think of writing it.This isn't so scattered you can't make out what he is talking about but itis written in a style where we are guided to meander with him through hismemories,thoughts,impressions.I think we tend to recall our lives byamore personal set of perceptions rather than _always_ anobjective,clear-cut unbiased point of view. He doesn't make excuses or seemto be trying to draw pity, he reveals himself to be ultimately human, weself-inflict our own pain most of the time, we set our selves up for a goodkick in the teeth. Our lives aren't always so neat and edited.

The onething I did notice missing from his memior (which initiates atchildhood,flashes into youthful adult and weaves back into adolesence andthen again forward to his mother being into her 80's and I would supposehim in to his 40's)is what happened during his 30's, and later a marriage.We are only briefed that he has had a daughter to whom a woman he didn'tmarry - there is no story of that relationship nor of his later marriagewhich also he quickly mentions. It leads me to feel these were not detailshe felt ready to share - understandingly likely because these people arestill living and out of respect for privacy of their lives - none the lessit would have done no harm to bare out a little more understanding, howeverbasic which could have been done respectfully. I noticed the same withFrank McCourt's book- Angela's Ashes - he neither went into more of hislife leading up to marriage or after it. The Bend for Home is a really wellwritten book, just know it is _not_ written in the run of the mill mannerin which we are used to finding on bookshelves for sale, he writes in anunappologetic fashion which displays his unique creativity as awriter.Great job, Dermot!!!

Don't read Angela's Ashes first.
After reading Angela's Ashes and Dublin Girl, I craved more gritty Irishmemoirs.Unfortunately this seemed disjointed and self-indulgent to me. Many of the author's trials seemed self-inflicted, in contrast to thepoverty and family tribulations exposed by the other writers.

Enchanting and poignant
I picked up a copy of this book while visiting Ireland last summer and was not disappointed.The writing is stunningly vivid and poetic.Best of all, Healy ensures that the reader never quite knows what is real and what isn't. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An entertaining and inspiring book
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 placelike California.Most of the people whose stories are told in this bookstarted out with little or nothing, and yet achieved greatness throughtheir own perseverance and boundless energy.The book possesses a rarecombination of attributes in that it is both entertaining and inspiring.

An engaging and enjoyable account of the Irish in California
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 Easternseaboard had served them well but did not present many with the opportunityfor fame and fortune. So they came west in their hordes. The growth anddevelopment of California is inextricably linked to the story of the Irishsettlers of those times. The state was in its infancy and the Irish wereideally suited to the frontier environment by dint of their vision andcapacity for sheer hard work.

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

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

Comprehensivelyresearched (over 10 years) and delightfully and lavishly illustrated, it isat times witty, often moving and always enticing. Dowling's style is akinto that of a storyteller. It is littered with skillfully handled twists andhilarious anecdotes. This is enjoyable in the extreme and an absoluterequirement for any Irish Californian or anybody for that matter who hasthe slightest interest in the history of the Irish in America. PatrickDowling wrote this book, in his own words, "to awaken Irish Americans totheir forgotten heritage, both in Ireland and California, and to helpinspire a renaissance of Irish history, culture and achievements." He willcertainly accomplish this dream. ... Read more

Book Description

Thanks to Shakespeare, Henry V is one of England's best-knownmonarchs. Or is he? The image of the young king leading his army against theFrench and his stunning victory at Agincourt are part of English historicaltradition. Yet to understand Henry V we need to look at far more than hismilitary prowess. While Henry was indeed a soldier of exceptional skills, his historicalreputation as a king deserves to be set against a broader background ofachievement, for he was a leader and a diplomat, an administrator, a keeper ofthe peace and protector of the Church, a man who worked with and for his people. This new study, the first full scholarly biography of Henry V, based on theprimary sources of both English and French archives and taking into account agreat deal of recent scholarship, shows his reign in the broad European contextof his day. It concludes that, through his personality and "professional"approach, Henry not only united the country in war but also provided Englandwith a sense of pride and the kind of domestic rule it was so in need of at thetime. Allmand offers far more than a biography of a king. His book is also a rich workof cultural history, with fascinating material on, for example, royal funerals,the reburial of Richard II in Westminster Abbey, the rise of Lollardy inEngland, and how one governed in the late Middle Ages. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Medieval CEO
As brilliantly portrayed by Mr. Allmand, Henry V personifies not only the fearsome and powerful character of a dark ages monarch, but also that one of a business-sound and strategy-aware leader. Whereas Shakespeare stresses Henry's prowess as a soldier and a hero, Allmand throws in unbeknownst traits: goal-oriented business planner, egalitarian political strategist, tireless academician, merciless warrior and fearing christian. Even though Mr. Allmand's prose teems with passive verbs and endless sentences, sometimes puzzling and even confusing the reader, his book is one of its kind.

*The* biography on Henry V
Prof. Allmand's biography of Henry V is the first coherent work on the subject for our generation. It is also the best bio on Henry V in the past 60-70 years. Allmand gives a fairly bare-bones analysis of King Henry V's brilliant but short life, and then expands in later chapters on several themes such as the royal family, law + order, and the like. Allmand's work is scholarly but does not drown the reader in details. Is a good read and moves along in a coherent manner. If you are looking to learn more about the man Shakespeare called "the Mirror of all Christian Kings" Allmand's deft work is a good place to start and a valuable resource. ... Read more

Book Description

An intriguing psychohistorical analysis of Patrick Pearse and the Easter Rising of 1916.

Patrick Pearse, an important Irish journalist, educator, and artist, came to play the pivotal role in the Easter Rising of 1916. Here Sen Farrell Moran examines Pearse within the context of contemporary Irish politics and culture to explain how this unlikely revolutionary became the spokesman of the violent forces within the nationalist movement.

"Moran delves into the psyche of Patrick Pearse . . . to outline a man seeking success if not in this life then in the next. Pearse was executed following the Easter Rising in Dublin, 1916, becoming the first modern Irish leader advocating physical force to die for his principles. Moran asks why Pearse, an unlikely hero, did so. . . . As a counter to nationalistic texts, Moran's study fills a niche in academic collections of modern Irish history."-Library Journal

"Lucid, engaging and well researched."-Irish Independent Weekender

"[A]n intriguing character study of Patrick Pearse . . ."-Tom Garvin, Irish Political Studies

"Pearse has been the subject of several biographies, but this is the first to apply the insights of psychoanalysis to either Pearse or . . . any of the other significant figures of 20th-century Irish history. Moran seems well suited to this task."-The Psychohistory Review

Sean Farrell Moran is associate professor of history at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan.

"Moran moves the process a stage further, combining a close dissection of Pearse's personality with an analysis of the context, or contexts, of his life: the state of Irish nationalism, and the wider European cultural mind at the turn of the century."-D. George Boyce, Albion ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great insight on the Easter Rising.
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. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Factual but Ineffectual
While the author presents many of the facts of Wittgenstein's visits to Ireland (many of them culled from Monk's bio), he makes little effort to DO anything with them. Wittgenstein's fascination with both Norway and Ireland as places of solitude for him to accomplish "real work" is a significant influence on his philosophy. It is a shame that a book of such promise fails to deliver. (But, as with the other review, still necessary for the completist).

NOT SURE EXACTLY WHO THIS IS FOR
but the idea appealed to me so I bought it. The author (not a philosopher) went to Ireland and essentially followed Wittgenstein's (50 year old)footsteps while there. He took a lot of pictures to help you see the views that Wittgenstein saw but most of his biographical information comes from Monks DUTY OF GENIUS and Rhees RECOLLECTIONS OF WITTGENSTEIN. He comes across a few people who remember the strange English philosopher but no stories that make this worth its price. An insane Wittgenstein completist like myself probably couldn't resist buying this, but perhaps you should. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a collection of Owen Chadwick's principal writings on Lord Acton, the distinguished Victorian historian and founder of The Cambridge Modern History. Some of the pieces are no longer readily available, while one has never before appeared in English. All have been revised, sometimes extensively. This book explains the important aspects of Acton's complex mind and his great contribution to historical studies. Professor Chadwick, himself a former holder of Acton's Regius Chair, is the leading senior authority both on Acton and on matters of church and state in the nineteenth century. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Back to the Essentials
In spite of other reviewers making light of this wonderful woman's story, I see it in a different light altogether. I think we all have a lot to learn from Peig's life and experiences. We are spoiled on material goods and suffer from spiritual deprivation. Peig may have had the "poor mouth" but she never whined about it. We whine about a red light that doesn't turn green fast enough or the fax machine when it seems to take forever. Does anyone really think we are better for that? I think not. I am now in my third reading of Peig Sayer's autobiography and, over the years, I keep getting more out of her vision. Do I want to live like her? Not entirely. Who wants to lose their children and be separated from those we love? Do I envy her close ties to nature and her personal relationship with God? Yes, I do. It's not that I want to be Peig Sayers, its just that I think she has a lot to say to those of us who have become so far removed from the essentials of God's world. I love her story and I wish I had known her.
Marion Brown

A classic of "poor mouth" literature !
This is the story...of a lovely lady! This book was the bane of every school child in Ireland for decades. It used to be on the curriculum so that, despite the fact that you would have to grit your teeth to read it, it was a bestseller in Ireland. It tells the story of Peig Sayers, a woman who lived in the poor and rural south-west of Ireland in the early 20th century. In this book, everyone was poor, no-one had anything, people were evicted from their hovels, life was hard, people died young, children were barefoot, the livestock slept in the house, it was always raining....well, you get the idea.

Peig was born on the mainland of Ireland, but married a fisherman who lived on the Blasket islands, a small collection of islands a few miles off the coast of Kerry. Tough as things were on the mainland, things were tougher still here! You were lashed by the Atlantic, the wind could blow you off the cliffs, and you could be drowned while you were fishing, and that was on a good day! The book tells of her struggle to be accepted by the islanders, how she brought up her large family, how she coped with the death of some of her sons fishing, and the folklore, stories, and culture all around her.

This book, and others like it from other authors on other islands ("The Islander" being another good example) formed a literary style which became known as "the poor mouth". They all share similar characteristics as they described the oppresive hardships suffered stoically by the people. Even now in Ireland, anyone whinging about their bad situation would be dismissed as "putting on the poor mouth" and everyone would know what was meant. There is even a spoof "poor mouth" book by Flann O'Brien, which is well worth reading as an antidote to all the hardship and depression!

Now that Peig is no longer force fed down poor school children's throats, it has been re-appraised as a valuable historical record of western Irish culture, and no longer as an instrument of torture. Now that you don't HAVE to read it, more people now seem to WANT to read it! The book was originally written in the Irish language since that was the only language Peig spoke, but this translation in English is available.

If you want a glimpse of an Ireland now long gone (and it really is long gone, despite what anyone might tell you), you can't go wrong with Peig. Just make sure you have a good supply of prozac close to hand. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful look at the author's life!
Although many have heard about Rosemary Clooney and have probably listened to her songs, few really know much about her. I was one of those people. Not now!

This book is an intimate portrayal of her life as a person and as a singer. Both aspects are skillfully combined. Beginning with a dramatic point in her life, she uses an excellent transition to begin the biography. After her life story, she transcends back into the dramatic episode. There were many interesting facts about other celebrities of her day as well.

This book is great for anyone who loves her songs. After reading it, you feel a greater appreciation for the songs and will want to listen to them more than ever. This book only left me wanting one thing: to read her new autobiography which came out last year! ... Read more

Book Description

In this extraordinary autobiography--now a classic of the genre--one of the literary community's most distinguished voices brings all of her novelistic powers to the facts of her own life. This newly released edition features a new Introduction by Maureen Howard in which she discusses the current fascination with memoir and autobiographical writing. In her own startlingly original contribution to the genre, she evokes the wonder of common things and the strangeness lurking in the seemingly obvious with great charm, wit, and energy. A searching and powerful memoir, Facts of Life "reveals Maureen Howard as one of our most significant writers" (The Boston Globe).

--With a new Introduction by the author

"A brilliantly told story." --Alfred Kazin, The New Republic

"Brief, witty, and utterly original." --Walter Clemons, Newsweek ... Read more

Book Description

John Winthrop's effort to create a Puritan "City on a Hill" has had a lasting effect on American values, and many remember this phrase famously quoted by the late Ronald Reagan. However, most know very little about the first American to speak these words.In John Winthrop, Francis J. Bremer draws on over a decade of research in England, Ireland, and the United States to offer a superb biography of the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, one rooted in a detailed understanding of his first forty years in England. Indeed, Bremer provides an extensive, path-breaking treatment of Winthrop's family background, youthful development, and English career. His dissatisfaction with the decline of the "godly kingdom of the Stour Valley" in which he had been raised led him on his errand to rebuild such a society in a New England. In America, Winthrop would use the skills he had developed in England as he struggled with challenges from Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, among others, and defended the colony from English interference. We also see the personal side of Winthrop--the doubts and concerns of the spiritual pilgrim, his everyday labors and pleasures, his feelings for family and friends. And Bremer also sheds much light on important historical moments in England and America, such as the Reformation and the rise of Puritanism, the rise of the middling class, the colonization movement, and colonial relations with Native Americans. Incorporating previously unexplored archival materials from both sides of the Atlantic, here is the definitive portrait of one of the giants of our history. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not just some blue stocking pilgrim
John Winthrop: America's Forgotten Founding Father

by Francis J. Bremer

Oxford University Press, published 2003

Millerstown University Professor Francis Bremmer's John Winthrop: America's Forgotten Founding Father is the first major work on the Massachusetts's governor in over fifty years.It is an engaging and comprehensive volume serving as the author's attempt to provide a more balanced view of Winthrop than has been seen in other works. Bremer writes, "The Winthrop of modern histories has been constructed to suit particular agendas.It is time for biography that is interested primarily in John Winthrop himself." (pg. xvi)Bremer is well qualified to take on this task, as he is the editor of John Winthrop's papers for the Massachusetts' Historical Society.

The narrative traces all of Winthrop's known ancestors in England.Almost a century before John was born, his grandfather, Adam, was a successful London cloth merchant.Adam profited handsomely from Henry VIII's reformation of the church.He purchased monastery lands from the government and established the family's seat in Suffolk.It was to this estate that Adam retired during the Catholic restoration of Mary I.The Winthrops were staunch Protestants and the move was designed to prevent retribution from the Marian government.The estate was to be the family's headquarters until John's departure for the new world in 1630.

The family estate was located in the Stour Valley, which was a hotbed of reformed Protestantism.Bremer deliberately avoids using the term Puritan because he feels that it carries to strong a connotation to the modern reader."Godly" was the description used most often by the Winthrop family and their circle. Like many others in Suffolk, the Winthrop's were non-conformists to the Anglican model and hoped for continued reforms of the church.

John Winthrop was born in 1588.He attended college at Cambridge for two years and left without taking a degree.While he considered entering the ministry, his early marriage and family obligation precluded that career path.In 1605, he married for the first time. From 1605 through 1630, John Winthrop lived the life of the minor gentry.He was involved in running his estate, raising his family and practicing law. In 1615, his first wife died in childbirth and Winthrop soon remarried. His new wife died a year later in childbirth; John married again in 1617 to his third wife, Margaret Tyndal.

Winthrop became involved with the civil government when he was appointed to the Court of Wards and Liveries.It was at this time he grew increasingly displeased with the corrupt state of the civil government.After considering emigration to Ireland, he and Margaret decided instead to join with members of the Massachusetts Bay Company and move to the new world.The venture was seen as a way to serve God and to make a profit.The founders of the company decided on John Winthrop as Governor for the colony.This is a reflection of the modest nature of the project in the eyes of the founders because, "if Massachusetts had been a larger, more important venture, he would not have been entrusted with the responsibility." (pg. 170)

As Governor, Winthrop was responsible for seeing the colonists through the bitter early years and for establishing order among the colonists.It was at the start of the emigrating that his famous "Christian Charity" sermon was given. He compared the colonists endeavors to a "city on a hill" that all could see. This biblical reference is Winthrop's most enduring literary legacy and is often quoted by politicians to this day.

Winthrop strove to live a good Christian life and to ensure the others the opportunity to so as well.He sought unity amongst the settlers but was willing to compromise and attempt to reach consensus.He was unwavering, however, in his principles and showed no reluctance to expel Roger Williams or Anne Hutchinson from the colony when their unorthodox theologies threatened the stability of the society.

Winthrop served as governor for 12 of the 19 years he lived in Massachusetts. He was untiring in his efforts to promote the growth of the colony.In the winter of 1649, he became ill and died.Bremer sums up the man and his accomplishments, "Zealous but not a zealot ... he helped to prevent his colony from being blown off course by the winds of extremism and from being wrecked on the rocks of fanaticism." (pg. 385)

Accessible to all levels of interested readers, John Winthrop: America's Forgotten Founding Father is a valuable portrait of an important figure in American History. Sources are extensive and meticulously documented.They primarily come from the records of the Courts of Assistants in Massachusetts Bay, Official Records of the Governor and Winthrop's own papers and journals.In addition, a host of sources from both sides of the Atlantic is employed in the work.The in-depth coverage of the Winthrop family background can be tedious to readers only interested in American events, but they provide needed insights into the English Reformation and the events that lead to colonization of New England.Bremer's work takes its place as the definitive biography of John Winthrop for the next fifty years.

Scholarly, Readable, Excellent Biography
Bremer has brought us a sensitive and balanced portrayal of Winthrop, one that is at the same time truly gripping. One of the significant contributions of the book is Bremer's attention to Winthrop's forty or so years in England prior to coming to New England, which helps create the sense of organic development and shows points of continuity between English Puritanism and that of the New England colonies.The relationship between Bremer's presentation and other scholarly opinions is covered in many of the endnotes, which makes it useful to the scholar but not burdensome for the average reader.Scholars, history buffs, and even those just interested in the human experience of life, will find this book rewarding. Highly recommended.

History Well Done!
This is a wonderful book.The author demonstrates a rich, nuanced command of the period and the players.I especially appreciate how he works to portray the characters from their own perspective instead of juding people who lived four centuries ago by todays ideas.I appreciate that he goes to great length to provide historical context.Indeed, he provides so much context, beginning with the subject's grandfather, that the book starts out a little slowly.But once the book reaches the point of Winthrop's departure for America, it remains compelling up to the end.A wonderful book for a more complete picture of the settlement of our country and a valuable addition to a balanced view of the puritans.

Not such a bad guy, after all...
This is a well-written and fresh look at John Winthrop, first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.Bremer derives his view of Winthrop from the "Model of Christian Charity" sermon, which Winthrop delivered sometime around his emigration to North America.Rather than the stern, unbending, and judgemental character that is the common perception, Bremer shows Winthrop as a pragmatic leader who often worked behind the scenes to reconcile diverging points of view.As portrayed in this book, Winthrop was a man of humility who strove to include anyone with a "spark of godliness" into the community.

At 385 pages of text, the book moved along quickly.I was sorry to get to the end.

John Winthrop Remembered
Thanks to an absent minded John Winthrop falling into a foul smelling peat bog and surviving (which he took as a sign that he should emigrate to the colonies) the settlers of the Massachusets Bay Company wereblessed with a practical and efficient administrator. Elected Governor many times over, John Winthrop is portrayed as an honest and god fearing a man as any patriotic American would want.
Although a good third of the book describes Winthrop's life in England, it is justified and necessary to see the religious and social preparations for his career in America. Once he came to America, his life was devoted to the preservation of his religion, his family and his colony.
Those readers familiar with Boston and surroundings will enjoy the detail in this biography; the streets he lived on, the configuarion of the city, its growth during Winthrop's lifetime.
And how easy it is to forget how little in the way of goods and services was available to the settlers in the 17th century. John Winthrop was not in the first wave of New Englanders in Plymouth, but even 10 years later he had to bring with him wheat, barley, oats, beans and peas for cultivation, potatoes, hop roots, hemp seed, tame turkeys and rabbits, linen and woolen cloth, bottles, ladles, spoons and kettles, among a long list of other essentials.
In spite of harsh conditions and personal tragedies, Winthrop prevails and the reader will learn much about this "forgotten" Founding Father inthis compelling and interesting biography. ... Read more

Book Description

Tom Crean was a key figure and colorful member of three of the most famous polar expeditions and has had a glacier and a peak named after him.

·Will appeal to Shackleton buffs and fans of historical explorations
·Great for armchair adventurers who enjoy a ripping good yarn
·Popularity of this subject will stay fueled by media attention to big-budget television mini-series (A&E) and big- screen movie (Columbia Pictures) currently in the works

After this engaging, well-written biography sold more than 18,000 copies in Ireland in its first year, The Mountaineers Books jumped on the U.S. rights for its customers. Tom Crean was with Ernest Shackleton on the famous Endurance trip-and was one of the survivors of that phenomenal tale of, well, endurance. He was also on Robert Scott's two earlier polar explorations and he was key to the survival of his fellow explorers each time out. What is engaging about Crean--and this book--was that he was not unmoved by the hard decisions and hardships he and the rest of the crew faced, nor did he blindly follow orders, but he did what had to be done, and was loyal to his captains and his crewmates in the process.

The story of all three adventures of incredible courage and survival are told in this one 352-page volume. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Finally, the rest of the story
Having read about Amundsun,Scott and Shackleton,this entry on Crean[and the Biography on Worsley],complete the elusive details on a host of characters who chose to go where no others had gone before. Isolated and at the unrelenting mercy of the elements,these thoroughly detailed accounts evoke the best of the human spirit.

A 4.5 STAR RATING
A captivating read and even more than a book about Tom Crean.
Michael Smith assembles a intriguing chronology that reveals
a compelling perspective of the times and lives of the Polar
Explorers. An insightful character analysis into the leadership and the crews.
My only complaint is,after Smith's meticulous documentation of names,dates,latitude/longitude, and geographic locations,
the book offers only a few rudimentary maps. But you can easily remedy this(inconceivable oversight)by obtaining the USGS Topographic Index Map of Antartica(free)and a beautiful Satellite Image Map($7 US)scale 1:5,000,000 mapI-2560.I plotted as I read and ended up with a great reference souvenir.

Not much new here folks
Tom Crean's life deserves to be told, but may never get fleshed out fully. There is just not enough material available for a good in-depth biography. Crean wrote few letters and left no interviews or diaries for a biographer to use. He was mostly uneducated in the sense of a few years of schooling. The author of this book has admitted in a past interview that due to these limitations, as well as until recently the forgotten Shackleton & Endurance saga, Crean didn't warrant a biography! The information about Crean and his polar experiences with Scott & Shackleton have been covered before in many books. A few years after the Endurance expedition ended in 1917, Crean retired from the seas, got married, and opened a pub in Ireland, the South Pole Inn. He apparently never spoke much of his polar days. I was mildly disappointed with this book, expecting more than I received. It's worth a read- the story of that heroic age of polar exploration is amazing and absorbing no matter how many times you read it, and you are left with much respect for Crean and his fellow explorers who lived through such incredible experiences.

A Real Hero
I've read almost every book I can find on Antarctic exploration and without a doubt, this is one of the finest. Tom Crean is always mentioned in books about early Antarctic epics but we've never really got to know him and what kind of a man he was. Michael Smith has done a fine job in tracing Crean's life from his early days in the Navy, his subsequent trips with Scott and Shackleton right up to his final days as a Pub owner is his home in Ireland. This is the kind of man you'd want whatever your expedition might be. He was brave, strong, honest, trustworthy and humorus, no matter what the circumstances. A great story about a real hero!

Fascinating
Tom Crean survived several famous Antarctic adventures of the Edwardian Era, and yet is hardly mentioned in most of the popular Antarctic Exploration books. Michael Smith does a fantastic job telling Crean's personal history with humor and understanding, while giving insight into the expeditions, the explorers and Antarctic History as a whole. This is a must-have for polar enthusasts (or shall we say, PolarGeeks?). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Only Golf Spoken Here is definitely about more than golf
Ivan Morris's book, Only Golf Spoken Here, will entertain more than just passionate golfers. It is witty and thoughtful and gives even non-golfers a glimpse into what makes him so passionate about the game. I was charmed and hope to see more from Mr. Morris.

Irish golf from inside a real Irish golf addict.
I have played golf in Ireland for sixteen years and many rounds with the author. His passion for golf is overwhelming. He knows the game from every point of view. He will entertain, educate and introduce you to some of the greatest courses in the world. The stories of some of Irelands golfers are the best part for me. They are his own experiences, not second hand. He has the Irish gift with words plus a major in journalism; a father newspaperman who could entertain you for hours with Irish stories and owns and operates a printing company. With that background he can't miss. This is his first book and I can guarentee it's only the begining. It reads easy. Just remember the Irish have the gift of blarney. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Yelena's Story
I have read Yelena Khanga�s story several times in the past several years. Leaning something different each time that I read it. Her wit and her humor are outstanding given the time she was writing about. It was a time of great history for both nations as well as both cultures. She looks through the eyes of an individual of great wonder. A person ho looks around and sees a world change. Meeting her new �family� that under given circumstances would have been the enemy was a great delight to read.

I encourage her to write a sequel to the book. I hope to meet her one day. Sit down in a café and drink Chi.

A story that would have much interest to anyone.
Really learned a lot about a subject that I knew nothing about.All history is family history.A fascinating story that puts you inside a Russia we never hear about. ... Read more