Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Irish History and Culture

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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?

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.

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.

I'll keep it brief. I don't know how accurate the facts are in this book (addressing reviews above). What I do know is that I could not put this book down. Not only did I learn about Irish history and culture, I actually found my family's name and from which part of Ireland we came from. I recommend this book as a fun and interesting introduction to the subject.

I found this to be a very interesting book. I couldnt find another History book on Irish culture like it. One of my major in studies is World Cultures, although I found some misrepresentations, the majority of facts seemed accurate, from what I have studied. I am not Irish nor do I have any special study in Irish Culture. This is, as another reviewer noted, a history book you actually want to keep reading. Nice reading, but I would use this book as a beginner book on Irish Culture/History and follow up with another book. (just to compare notes)A great book for anyone with Irish blood to pick up, and discover why they should be proud of their roots, and get a feel for who their ancestors were.

I read this book because my girlfriend was Irish at the time and they seemed an interesting crowd though she's really a transplant from the southside of Chicago.
Although the history is a bit one-side, it was interesting to skim through. As a man with English roots, I was not surprised by reading an Irishman describing the behavior of the English. We, the English should not be too proud of our treatment of the Irish. But, as someone who's family is from Devonshire and Staffordshire, I am quite familiar with the history of the Irish raiding our coastline. They posed a serious threat, in ancient past, and even to this day, so the English dealt with them in the custom of the day: c'est la guerre, so say the French. The author is not resentful but presents the facts honestly and, generously, as you would expect from an Irishman. Obviously, the treatment of Irish during the Great Hunger is not to be excused and many English are rightfully ashamed of this behavior; some are not, as I can tell you from talking to some of my English friends --- old animosities run deep. Again, the author is clear, descriptive and fair.

There were lots of side notes that were enough to fill another book. It made for interesting reading. I'll have to try the recipe for soda bread.

What was especially charming about this book was the simple language. In the custom of the Irish, it is a good tale.

I hope this review is helpful. If it was, please add your vote.

Thank you.

Don't worry... you're not an idiot if you decide to read this book. It's just in more of a text book format. I'm half-Irish and in the month of March I decided to check out this great book. It's full of great stories and interesting facts. Who needs a course on Irish history when you can get this textbook-style book for a lot cheaper? From the geography of the Emerald Isle to the food and family, this book covers everything Ireland. Whether you're Irish yourself or just intersted in learning about the fascinating culture of Ireland, you'll love this book.

A well written book that provides an overview of Ireland past, present and future. The author explains the many reasons for the past Irish conflicts with the British, and after reading it you will see why those wounds run deep. The book explains the origins of many Irish customs and how a visitor is likely to encounter them. Overall it was a very easy book to read and provided a very good overview of Irish history and the Irish people.

so I find myself wondering how her Irish history is. I know little about Irish history; my partner & I are both of Irish decent and this seemed like a good place to start. However, when I came to the chapter in which the author states that Mary, Queen of Scots was Elizabeth I's sister I began to question how good this book is. As stated in another review "Bloody Mary" was Mary (Tudor) of England, not Mary, Queen of Scots, daughter of James V of the Scots. Now I will have to look up and verify what I read in this book, not that is a bad thing, but I wanted this to be a nice read alone without the research.

This book I found biased in the extreme. It's yet another tedious screed against the Evil Brits (tm) with the Irish as the MOPE (most oppressed people ever).

Massie's scholarship is also questionable. In her account of the battle of Clontarf, she makes a comment on the version given in the Norse Njal's saga as being, basically, Norse propaganda. Unfortunately she also makes a statement that makes it obvious that she has never read Njal's saga. It's OK to be skeptical of sources, but not if you haven't even bothered to read them.

Massie evidently entirely on secondary sources like Peter Beresford-Ellis, and also uncritically echoed their prejudices.

Better to get Foster's "Modern Ireland", or even Tim Pat Coogan's books on the Troubles, if you're seeking to understand the current situation in Ireland Irish history with a wee bit more nuance than the cardboard cut-out good guys vs. bad guys account given here.