The Complete Idiot's Guide to Irish History and Culture [Paperback]

Sonja Massie (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Alpha Books (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028627105
• ISBN-13: 978-0028627106
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #781,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History and culture with humor and love, May 13, 1999

By 

Rebecca L. Latson (Angleton, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Irish History and Culture (Paperback)

Most history books are very dry, full of facts but no indication of the character and soul of the lives lived. Ms. Massie writes her book with much warmth and love for the Irish people, their culture and their history. In addition to the straightfoward historical facts, the author adds sidebar information which reflects little extras of humor, language, and Irish life. There is even a recipe for soda bread included! All of these combined kept me reading smoothly way past my bedtime! The only complaint I have is that Ms. Massie aims her book toward people of Irish descent, with the impression that one is only interested in reading about Irish history and culture if one has a little Irish in them. I don't, but have always been interested in Irish history and culture anyway. I'm not Irish, but wish I was. Does that count, Ms. Massie?

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Three stars for readability,, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Irish History and Culture (Paperback)

however, I am very suspect about her facts. I know next to nothing about Irish history and this book was recommended to me by a friend as an easy and enjoyable way to get a grasp of their history. While the book is an enjoyable read I noticed about halfway through that Ms. Massie insists Mary, Queen of Scots is the SISTER of Elizabeth I of England. No way, Ms. Massie. Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots was the daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary de Guise. Elizabeth's sister, "Bloody Mary" was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Anyone with the most rudimentary knowledge of British history knows this. This makes me very nervous that her "facts" regarding Irish history may be in error also.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Look at Ireland, September 3, 2004

By 

Todd Hawley (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Irish History and Culture (Paperback)

Reading this book at times I felt like I had been transported to this magic island and at times I was shocked to read of its bloody history throughout the centuries. While I will acknowledge this is a general history, it does touch upon a number of milestones in the history of Eire..at first the land of the Celts, then the Roman invasion, then invasions by the Vikings, then the Normans, it seems Ireland has known more than its fair share of war and oppression. It also gave me a better understanding of how Northern Ireland came to be and why there's still strife to this day.

And also too the book touches upon the customs and people of Ireland, who are lively and a fiercely proud people. And some of their stories, of the Celts, of St Patrick, of druids, the "Good People," and fierce warriors. There's even a chapter about what to expect if you decide to visit the Enchanted Isle. I want to visit Ireland and this book has brought me a bit closer to that goal.