Customer Reviews

The Anglo-Irish War, 1916-1921: A People's War

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Just read Kautt's book last night in one sitting, which is quite possible considering it is only 113 pages long, plus Appendices. Extremely well annotated, with references to primary and secondary sources abounding. For people with an interest in this topic, it is truly a great reference point. The thing I enjoyed most about the book is the author's explanation of WHY events happened, not just WHAT the events were. Very interesting hypothesis that this was the first "Peoples War". One chapter focuses on guerilla warfare, in general, which is a great stage-setter for the rest of the book. I also enjoyed the final chapter, which is an analysis of "what went right and what went wrong" on both sides.

William Kautt's in depth study of the Anglo-Irish War is an outstanding piece of craftsmanship and detailed research. He marries an intense love of Irish history with in depth analysis in a style which allows the lay reader into the murky world of guerilla warfare and the back-story behind the "Troubles" of Northern Ireland. Furthermore, the author's straightforward style aids in understanding both the military and social implications of this war. In here you will find a strong case for why the Anglo-Irish War was the first "People's War" of the 20th century, preceeding the work of Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh, and this alone is an insight into Irish History which will be new to most readers. You don't need to be an expert on Che Guevera or the Emerald Isle to enjoy this book. If you're looking for an introduction to unconventional warfare, this is a fine place to start. Grab a pint of Guiness and learn something!

I had expected more of this book (especially in view of its really outrageous price). The book has an interesting but not really novel approach to the Anglo-Irish War in its discussion of the "people's war" aspect of it, i.e., a guerrilla war which enabled a small, under-armed, outmanned country to break free from the British Empire.This has been explored before and to greater effect and this book seems to spend a great deal of time on the 1916 rebellion with a rather cursory (the book has only 113 pages of text)review of the actual war of independence, The author explains this by saying he didn't want to repeat what others had already covered extensively but a little more detail would have been better, or the book's title should have been revised. The appendices were probably the best part of the book (including one on Irish Songs of Rebellion, a rather unusual addendum) but the indexing is sloppy. Overall, a big disappointment, and certainly a poor choice for anyone not already well informed about that period of Irish history.