Customer Reviews

An Irish Experience: Travel Tales Flowing from History, Humor & the Search for Home

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A dear friend of mine sent me this book a week before I went to Ireland. As I read it, I became even more excited to see the places Howard Franklin described. By the time we had landed in Ireland, the book was read and I had a list of the places I definitely wanted to see. Thank you Howard for writing about Glendalough. If I hadn't read about it, I would have totally missed the wonders of this place! This book was our constant companion in our travels across this Emerald Isle. If it wasn't in the car it was in my backpack, always close at hand so we could learn more about where we were. The snippets of history Howard interjected throughout his book is my favorite thing about it. I read these parts out loud to my husband as we traveled along the same path as Howard. Knowing the history of what we saw made it all so much more poignant. If you plan on visiting Ireland don't leave home without this book!

Howard Franklin's "An Irish Experience" is a true delight! It is a unique combination of travel writing, personal memoir, Irish history, and culture, and laced deliciously with Irish sweets!

I am originally from Ireland, and enjoyed reading about Howard's impetus for the journey, the mysterious draw of Ireland, and the search for "home." He captures poetically one of the things I prize most about my homeland--that sense of time being precious and people paramount. This book is a gem, both for those who have never been to Ireland and want a lyrical and informed introduction, and those of us from there, who can experience it again through such fresh, and fanciful eyes.

Howard Franklin's book, "An Irish Experience is one of the most all-around travel books. It is jam-packed with humor, history and must-sees. This book schools the reader on the history of Ireland, providing keen insights into it's culture and people. The whimsical way it is written, along with the goods on where to get a great pastry in even the smallest of towns, makes this a great read and a must for anyone going to, or daydreaming about Ireland.

If you have, or are planning a trip to Ireland, Howard Franklin's book is a must read. His knowledge of Irish history, geography and literature make this book a classic adventure tale for the 21st century traveler. Combine all that with a poet's eye and a lyrical style and you have a first-rate read.Buy this book and then buy your ticket. Ireland's waiting.

Mr. Howard Franklin, I'm afraid, needs a serious sit-down with Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. This travelogue of Ireland in 2001 initially appealed because I had planned a trip to many of the same places as Mr. Franklin. But after awhile, the book becomes nearly unreadable, because it's a relentless repetitive stream of superlatives and interjections, like "uh-huh" and "unh-unh, no way" and "Big Time!" and "We're talking Total Treasure" and "How about that" and "I renew my appreciative gaze" and especially the verb "smile." I don't think there's a page where he's not smiling in some form or other. I found myself longing for a big roll of duct tape.

While some of the descriptions of landscapes and buildings and monuments are passable, Franklin rarely provides information of any historical depth about the places he visits, other than the recitation of a few names and dates. He almost never ventures into a museum. Mostly he just stands outside and looks around, offering up adjectives. That is, when he's not satisfying his sugar cravings with the purchase of cakes, pastries, cookies and chocolate. Let me venture an understatement, as the author so often does: Mr. Franklin is addicted to sugar in more ways than one.

Another understatement: one might question his treatment of women.

It's a pity, because his comparisons of Ireland and America as homelands, of the quality of life, the culture, and the resonance of history in both countries, are sound. They're just hidden beneath unbearable prose. By all means, travel to Ireland. But leave Mr. Franklin behind.

ALTHOUGH I MAY NEVER VISIT IRELAND, HAVING READ THIS DELIGHTFUL AND INSIGHTFUL BOOK MAKES ME FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE WALKED THE STREETS OF
IRELAND WITH THE AUTHOR WHOSE ENTHUSIASM FOR LIFE IS POSITIVELY CONTAGIOUS.

"An Irish Experience" is a delightful mix of Irish history, travel information and humor while providing insights into important meanings of life. I highly recommend it!