A History of Ireland (Palgrave Essential Histories) [Paperback]

Mike Cronin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Palgrave Essential Histories | Publication Date: January 4, 2003

A tiny island in the North Atlantic, Ireland has had an astonishingly powerful impact on the wider world, both at the height of its independent power in the early middle ages, as the key exporter of Christianity to much of Europe, and at the depth of its colonial subjugation by Britain, as the primary source of millions of settlers to North America and Australia. A History of Ireland explores the story of Ireland from the 12th century to the end of the 20th century. Written chronologically, it explores the period of the English invasion of Ireland, the emergence of a Gaelic culture, the religious conflicts across the centuries, the struggle over Home Rule, and the complex nature of the modern troubles. Covering the main political narratives of the country, A History of Ireland also delves into major economic, social, and cultural events, and offers a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s past.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A research fellow in history at De Montfort University Leicester (U.K.), Cronin offers synopsis with little insight in this overview of Irish history. Starting with ancient Gaelic Ireland, he quickly moves on to the introduction of Christianity, the Viking and Norman-Anglo invasions, and the effects on the Protestant Reformation. With Cromwell's invasion in the mid-17th century came the redistribution of land from the Catholics to the Protestants. This is the strong point of the book, as Cronin compacts convoluted Irish history into a comprehensive, readable form. He then briefly covers the 1798 Rebellion, Catholic emancipation under Daniel O'Connell and the great famine of the 1840s, all of which set the stage for the Fenian rebellion of 1867. The Fenians, though unsuccessful, would leave their imprint on Parnell and his Land League. Cronin paints a concise, albeit limited, picture of the events of 1914 through 1923. His portrait of John Redmond, the head of the Irish delegation at Westminster, is telling of the man and his political philosophy. Redmond, who warmly embraced Britain's entrance into WWI, found himself isolated from his own constituents in the aftermath of the 1916 Rebellion. But the author's sketchy and incomplete analysis of post-Civil War Ireland and some of his questionable judgments of important figures will leave some readers baffled. He praises the government of William T. Cosgrave (1922-1932) for his post-revolution adaptation of the in-place British systems in many respects returning Ireland to the status quo ante. He also praises Eamon DeValera, whose ascension to power is often viewed as hypocritical, because he renounced everything for which he had fought the Civil War. Cronin's assessment of the Good Friday Agreement is inadequate: only once does he mention President Clinton, who played the seminal role in brokering the accord. Unfortunately, Cronin sacrifices depth for the sake of brevity; his superficial rendering would best serve as a primer for those who are new to Irish history.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...a general survey... for those wanting more."--Orlando Sentinel

"A clear, readable survey that strikes exactly the right tone of accessible scholarship." --Kirkus Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (January 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333654331
• ISBN-13: 978-0333654330
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars short, to the point...a great introduction, June 20, 2004

By 

Scott A. Gold "scottagold" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A History of Ireland (Essential Histories) (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful introduction to Irish history. Don't expect lots of details on any particular subject as this is a fairly short book considering the scope of the topic (only about 250 pages). The author states in the preface that the goal is to introduce newcomers to Irish history, and in that it does a wonderful job. The focus is primarily on political history and stretches from prehistoric Ireland to the present day. There's a "Further Reading" section at the end of the book recommending a broad range of other books for those wanting more detail on specific aspects of Irish history.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A names and dates history, September 7, 2004

By 

Charles J. Marr (Cambridge Springs, Pa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A History of Ireland (Essential Histories) (Hardcover)

This is a useful addition to a bookshelf as well as a quick read over the complex history of Ireland. If you want to quickly place the "Wild Geese" or Wolf Tone or Cromwell in a historical context it will prove an invaluable tool. Furthermore, the prose is readable and not bogged down with a mass of professional notes. I think that's the key, information is presented in the style and detail of the professional historian but without all the scholarly apparatus. The scholar ,seeking proper reference or in depth character and motivation, must look elsewhere. Be advised that there is weighting toward the nineteenth and twentieth century. There is some discussion of the famine and emigration, but only as part of the historical progression. For that and diaspora study The Great Shame is a better bet. Would I buy this book again? Yes. Why? it is a valuable reference tool. Does it captivate me as some histories do? No. Best advice I can give: decide why you might want it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A History of Ireland is a short but savvy history of the land of Orange and Green in conflict, October 1, 2008

By 

C. M Mills "Michael Mills" (Knoxville Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A History of Ireland (Palgrave Essential Histories) (Paperback)

This 250 page book is one in a series on the history of a European or Caribbean nation published by the English firm of Palgrave Macmillian.
The book is a general survey of the troubled land of Ireland from the twelth century to today's headlines. It's author is Mike Cronin who does a good job in giving a neophyte to Irish studies a broad outline of the important dates,political players and historical situations in the tale of the Eire isle.
We learn from this book that:
a. Ireland was the leader in Christian missionary work and scholarship in the Dark Ages unallied with Roman Christianity. This influence waned due to Vikings invasions.
b. Ireland is a nation torn by religious hatreds. Ever since the Protestants under British King William III won the battle of the Boyne in 1690 this enmity has led to murders, assassinations and religious divisions. Henry VIII was the first British monarch to subdue Ireland and make her part of the nation of Great Britain.
c. The Easter Rebellion of 1916 in Dublin ended with an agreement with the London government to divide Ireland into two separate governments:
The independent nation of Eire and the Northern Irish province of Great Britain. Eire consists of 26 counties and Northern Ireland of six. Efforts to unite Ireland have led to dismal failures and overt violence.
d. There was an Irish Civil War in Eire following the establisment of the new republic in 1922. Eire is a nation of Roman Catholics which is mainly agricultural and conservative though this is changing.
e. Northern Ireland is controlled by the Unionists Protestants though the Roman Catholic minority is making progress in the effort to win civil rights.
f. Eirie was neutral in World War II while Ulster supported the British Empire.
g. Ireland is a small nation of about eight million citizens.
h. The horrible Irish Potato Famine of 1846-51 led to over one million deaths and the emigration of over two million Irish to America, Britain, Australia and Canada.
Ireland has a long and tragic history of religious conflict, poverty, hunger and poor governmental leadership. Hopefully, the lives of the Irish will improve in the new century.
Cronin's book is written in a straightforward style which is informative. The book could be used with profit by students, travelers and anyone interested in learning more about such a complex and troubled spot on the globe as Ireland.