A Concise History of Ireland (Illustrated National Histories) [Paperback]

Conor Cruise O'Brien (Author), Maire Cruise O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Series: Illustrated National Histories | Publication Date: September 1985

There is a tragic inevitability about Irish history: "hatred answering hatred", as Lady Gregory wrote. Four events in particular, Yeats' "four deep, tragic notes", ring through Irish history: the Catholic revolt against Elizabeth; the battle of the Boyne, which established the Protestant Ascendancy; the impact of the French Revolution; and the fall from power of Charles Stewart Parnell, which turned Ireland away from peaceful solutions to its ills. The authors bring the story up to the present, then look ahead to the end of the century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 3 Sub edition (September 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500273790
• ISBN-13: 978-0500273791
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,094,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to Irish history, March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Concise History of Ireland (Illustrated National Histories) (Paperback)

If there's a better overview of Irish history out there, I'd like to see it!

The book is in 'school' format, for want of a better word, that is to say very generously illustrated. Don't let that give you the impression that the book is superficial. This man and wife team know their Ireland inside out and are both topnotch writers. Maire MacEntee is one of the most eminent, if not the most eminent, Irish language poets alive, and her husband is very well known as a scholar and essayist.

Read and enjoy!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ireland's tragedy in 176 pages !, March 6, 2001

By 

P. D. Laffey (Hitchin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Concise History of Ireland (Illustrated National Histories) (Paperback)

This is a brief and impartial account of the history of Ireland from 3000 BC up until 1994 . There is no in depth analysis of the historical figures involved but just a simple yet concise narative of the important events that shaped this country .

It is after England's brutal conquest of the native Irish , and the protestant plantations that followed , that this book comes into it's own , as it gives the reader a clear understanding of the political dynamics at work that would eventually lead to a divided Ireland .

The book has a generous amount of illustrations and photographs that compliment the very readable text . I'd recommend this book as a starter to anybody who is interested in finding out about the tragic history of Ireland , or as an overview to more in depth books for the discerning reader .

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Concise" is the key word, here., March 27, 2008

By 

lynny j (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concise History Of Ireland (Hardcover)

This is actually a fairly easy to read and short book, due in part, to the many illustrations. If you are looking for a deep, scholarly tome on the history of Ireland, buy something else. If, however, you are planning on a trip to Ireland and want some basics with regard to the culture and politics of IE, give this a read. I read this along with the historical-fiction novel, "Trinity" to prepare for my trip and felt the balance between the two was a nice way to learn the highlights of Irish history.