Customer Reviews

Irish America: Coming Into Clover

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Normally I regard sociological studies as palatable as a tongue depressor. However, this is rivetting, readable, and entertaining. Clearly my interest was piqued because it explores in comprehensive detail my ethnic group. The American Irish (or Irish Americans) will find this a very compelling and satisfying read.

The book studies the Irish diaspora in the various areas of this vast country and points out how the different locations and parallel immigrations resulted in American Irish of significantly varying success, acclimation, and temperment (e.g.: San Francisco v. Chicago v. NY v. Boston). However, regardless of their differing opportunities Denzell notes the seemingly subtle but enduring culture and driving forces which endure among the American Irish -- such as a reluctance to feel secure with material success, gregariousness, and restrained demonstration of emotion. What is perhaps most interesting is that Denzell points out how most Americans, and even the American Irish, are unaware of any specifically Irish American cultural patterns,though they are pervasive and inescapable, if seemingly oblique.

Reading this book I came to understand the motivations for my own behavior much better. Heretofore I thought they were simply the quirks of my own family; reading Denzell one is struck by the strength of these historic roots. While the book describes us, warts and all, it leaves the American Irish reader with a satisfying sense of comfort and pride (not that we'd ever publicly admit it).

This book is a wonderful addition to understanding the Irish-American culture. Charles Morris' book on the American Catholic Church pointed to the influence of the Irish in the design and structure of the Church in the United States. Ms. Dezell, however, goes futher in exploring the culture of the community, separate from its religious identity --- although, as she notes, separating the two is all but impossible. Like most books written by journalists, the writing is effortless and a pleasure to read. In fact, I read through the entire book over the St. Patrick's Day weekend, which was rather appropriate. Having been raised in an Irish-American family, I kept finding myself amazed at the personal characteristics I have that, in all liklihood, are the product of the culture --- and not traits I have developed independently. And they are not the typical stereotypical Irish traits --- drinking, gift of the gab (although that one is pretty close); rather they are characteristics that you would not necessarily contribute to a cultural upbring. For example, the view of money in the culture --- as being simply a means to an end, the humility of the people and, my personal favorite, the continued belief that everything could all go wrong so quickly. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the role that being Irish plays in your development and philosophy, and also for anyone interested in understanding the uniqueness of the Irish American culture.

Author Maureen Dezell has presented to her readers a comprehensive and insightful description of the Irish American experience in different geographic locations of the US, drawing on the universality of certain Irish cultural similarities and recounting the vast differences that also occur. It was fascinating to note the hard-line Boston Irish experience compared to the less difficult assimilation in New York and other cities such as Chicago and San Francisco. As a first generation Irish American, I find myself so delighted that Ms.Denzell has taken "Pen to paper" to underscore so many Irish American issues. On the one hand you have that dark Irish pride that denied the great famine and depicted Ireland as this mythical land of green and glory, captured in song as "A little bit of heaven". The other side is the tough immigration of thousands of Irish poor with no homes nor jobs, who had to endure incredible hardships in their new homeland. Issues of the Church and or course, the "curse of the drink" are addressed with a new and refreshing tone that leads one to understand that ethnic identity, although important, needs to be viewed in the context of a bigger world order.

And the best is Maureen Dezell's depiction of women in this book...Read to find out!

Finally someone has captured a picture of the Irish in America that goes beyond the romantic myths portrayed in movies, TV and of course, deodorant soap and beer commercials as well as the darker myths presented by the media during the days of busing in Boston. The research for this book was extraordinary, tracing Irish influences in Chicago, San Francisco and Montana and the writing style was engaging. All my relatives are reading it.

A lot of the reviewers here have remarked how surprised they were to see themselves and their families in Maureen Dezell's synoptic view of Irish culture in "America" (including Canada?). I have to join these reviewers in saying what a revelation this book was to me. There is Irish blood on both sides of my family and I am also somewhat active in the local Irish-American community, so I see a lot of the type of behavior that she describes, particularly the cheerful bleakness in outlook ("It could all go wrong tomorrow, but we'll be all right ... probably.") and the careful "chopping down of the tall wheat" (as I am told the Australians say).

When I was growing up we thought of the Italians members of the extended family as having discernible "culture" and it was tacitly assumed that the Irish relatives were just "normal Americans"; Ms. Dezell points out that this is the general condition in Irish America. It is not so much that the Irish are ashamed of their heritage (although sometimes they are), but more that they don't see any reason to make a big deal about it most of the time, so each generation takes more and more of the family character for granted. The Irish have a tendency to stick together in neighborhoods and in social organizations, and I can testify to the fact that they seem to unconsciously gravitate toward one another in a crowd, drawn together by their shared suspicion about putting on airs or taking an occasion too seriously. These reasons, and their enormous numbers, enable them to forget that they are in fact a distinct ethnic group.

Ms. Dezell's book pulls aside the curtain (lace or otherwise) that hides all these quirks, traits and folkways and reveals the Irish character in all its cacophony of paradoxes, engimas, aggravations and delights. I subtract one star from my rating because Ms. Dezell comes dangerously close to being an Irish-American apologist on several topics, particularly racism, but also when examining the issue of drinking and the role of women in the culture. She also tends to repeat herself a bit too often for my taste. I believe that she is merely trying to drive home her points, but I noticed it. And, true to my ethnic roots, I can be pretty cranky sometimes.

Maureen Dezell's book is not only insightful and informative, it is absolute joy to read. Maureen has a wonderful combination of wit and candor. As a second generation Irish American, it provided me with a better understanding of my culture, my family, and myself. Finally, someone has taken an in-depth and thorough look at the important contributions of Irish Americans.

I've not heard the above saying before,but knew immediately exactly what it meant.This book is an excellent review of what it means to be Irish and what Irish,and particularly Catholic Irish is all about.
There are over 50 million scattered around the world who claim Irish ancestory;and by no means are they all alike.
"Almost anything you can say about Irish Americans is both true and false."
Dezell's discussion about CWASP's, Catholic/Celtic White Anglo Saxon Protestants,is a bit different ,but right on the mark.
The book is loaded with one-liners or epigrams.Here are a few to get your curiosity:

"No point being Irish unless you think that the world is going to break your heart someday."

"As is often the case, conventional wisdom is wrong."

"Irish blood doesn't water down very well,the strain must be strong."

"God gives us no more than we can bear." Rose Kennedy

"There is no race of people for which pychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever ." Sigmund Freud

"If you're feeling something,for Gods's sake take something."

"If I'm Irish and I lose my arm,someone is going to tell me,'it's a good thing I didn't lose them both."

A great read for anyone interested in Irish culture ,be it in Ireland,America or even here in Canada.

Maureen has given the Irish their due while admitting their advantage (English) and their weaknesses. As a second generation Irish American, I find her appraisal echoing much of what I learned from my parents in an unusually well documented and readable fashion.

A book I have devoured and given many times as a gift. Just because you're Irish-American doesn't mean you understand your culture. This book gave me many lightbulb moments as I saw friends and family in light of our culture instead of merely quirky individuals. The distinctions between Irish and Irish-Americans and East Coast vs Midwestern Irish-Americans were also eye-openers. And it is useful to rise above the stereotypes of Irish-Americans as drinkers and brawlers to see their role in creating and maintaining an amazing array of Catholic institutions.

Most Irish Americans interviewed for this book apologized to the author because they felt like they really had nothing to offer about Irish American culture. The Irish may be the one ethnic group in the U.S. who don't appreciate or recognize their uniqueness and commonality. This book helps the Irish to see themselves as they are, both good and bad. An eye opener.