Customer Reviews

Irish American Hero: Michael Patrick O'Shea

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Luminous...a beautifully assured and full-bodied novel that becomes a tender examiniation of a young man's struggle with a cause. Irish American hero is clearly the best novel written about Northern ireland in the last twenty years. This novel is a small masterpiece that catches all the ambiguity and agony of Northern Ireland and at the same time reveals the strength and courage and the hope of which a young man is capable. From the first to the last sentence the book is wonderfuly well written.

What a shocker of an ending! Fantastic writing! Dan Sheehan has captured what it is like to grow up Irish-American.This book has everything, action, romance, suspence and real surprise ending. More, Mr. Sheehan More!

Irish American Hero is a modern classic that reaches deep into a secret world. Many Americans have supported the Irish Republican Army and other groups for years. This may be the first and only book that looks at this world from the inside. If you want to fight a war on terrorism you should read this book. I'd suggest
President Bush buy a copy and study it. He needs to know that their is more going on than just "evil doers".
Don't pass up a chance to read this book.

I worked with Dan Sheehan for years as a teacher. He was a great educator then and he has gone on to become a great novelist. I know he spent several summers touring Ireland and even visited the war zones of Belfast. He had some amazing stories! When he tells you something about Northern Ireland and the conflict there you can believe it because he has seen it with his own eyes.
Dan taught his students to love writing because he is a writer as well as a teacher. Alaska lost a real treasure when he retired and left us. He wrote several articles and stories for the newpapers and magazines in Alaska but I have to admit I was blown away by his Novel:Irish American Hero.
I bought 6 copies and gave them away to my friends.
If you know anyone who enjoys a good read...hand them a copy of
Irish American Hero!

When I first discovered this short novel I thought it might make an interesting St. Patrick's day gift for some Irish friend.
However, once I started to read it, I realized just how important a work this novel was going to be. After the attack on the World Trade Center I saw this novel as an exploration into the mind of a terrorist. Mr. Sheehan shows us why people hate and why they take action on their hate. He shows us the inside world of the terrorists and how they think and function with uncanny perception. If you have ever wondered why terrorists hate and why they kill then you must read this book. Mr. Sheehan has composed a masterpiece.

I couldn't put it down. I read the entire novel without stopping.
It really may be the best book I have ever read.

Obviously this novel was a labor of love. This book was well researched and written with lucidity. It certainly seems appropriate that this novel, telling the modern tragedy of Europe's oldest nationality be written by an Irish American.
I enjoyed Irish American Hero, but I was particularly moved by the chapter where young Michael Patrick O'Shea tries to come to an understanding of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. When the author describes Michael's father watching the funeral on television...I was moved to tears.

This book really opens up the world of terrorism. I thought at first this was just an "Irish" novel but it really explores the world of terrorism and its supporters. Sheehan really must have done his research. He knows how terroist cells work and operate and he even seems to know what goes on in the mind of a terrorist.

After the events of 9-11-01 this is a book everyone should read!

Bob Sampo describes it as as small masterpiece. Molly English of the Syracuse NewTimes gives it and its author high praise. Peter Soffietti calls it "the best 'Irish' book ever written. The "it" that is causing such remarkable reviews is the new novel, Irish American Hero, by Syracuse native Dan Sheehan. The 120+ page novel is about the fictional life of irish American, Michael patrick O'Shea. Raised in America but as an Irish rebel by his family, michael struggles with the "gray area" between right and wrong during the turbulent "troubles" of the 1970's. The events that unfold in young Michael's life create the young man he becomes. The Mystery and intrigue created by the imagination of author, Dan Sheehan will keep you in suspence. Forgive the cliche but you will not be able "to put it down." What makes this book so special to me, besides the incredible ending, is the way in which Sheehan educates the reader about Irish History. Without knowing it, the reader will better understand the complexities of the conflict that is so often mistaken as a simple fight between Protestants and Catholics.I strongly recommend this book. This book is particlarly important for any student of Irish history in the last years of high school and beyond. It would make an excellent teaching device in both History and English courses and Iencourage teachers to consider it as an educational tool. The conciseness of the 120 pages makes this book an easy, enjoyable read. If you know a young person that you would like to treat to a meaningful gift this would be an excellent choice. I guarantee the reader will come away with a flattering opinion of this books let alone outright thrill at the completion of this superb novel, as I did. The author, Dan Sheehan was raised in Syracuse, NY and the book includes references to Upstate New York. Dan also went to Onondaga Community College and Syracuse University. He holds a BA in Creative Writing and an MS in English Education. Dan grew up "Irish-American" and stealing a Latin phrase from the book, you could say about Dan "Hiberiores hibenis iposos," meaning "more Irish than Irish." Dan has traveled extensively in Ireland and spent the last 20 years teaching in Alaska. Dan won the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" award in 1994. -Jeff Costello Publisher of Everything Irish magazine

This book is wonderful. The author even used Gaelic (Irish) heading as his chapter titles.
The opening reminds me of Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes as it begins with the hero's childhood and told in a child's voice. The history and magic of Ireland flows through this novel. The ending is shocking! I rate this novel at 5 stars!