Customer Reviews

Rebels: The Irish Rising of 1916

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have never read a history book that was more moving or more realistic (and I was a history major.) Afterwards I traveled to Dublin just to see Kilmainham Gaol. The book was so realistic that the Gaol was horribly familiar to me. Buy the book and read it. You'd be hard pressed to find a better book. Better yet, buy a dozen copies and give them out to your friends.

De Rosa's "Rebels" is simply one of the best historical books I have ever read, period. Some have criticised it for adopting a novelized approach, with plenty of dialogue, but as popular history, the result is a suspenseful buildup to the Great Easter Rising of 1916, and its brutal extermination by the British Army.

The success of the book is the care that De Rosa takes to develop his characters, including the ill-fated Casement, the rabble-rousing socialist Connelly, schoolmaster Patrick Pearse, Tom Clarke, and the dozen or so key leaders of the uprising. Most were executed within days of the suppression to the outcry of liberal MPs in London, and became martyrs to Irish freedom.

Someone seriously needs to turn this book into a screenplay, which would be a far more dramatic tale than "Michael Collins", particularly since the politics of the April 24 rebellion were far less complex than the civil war that is hopelessly glossed over in "Collins" The wedding of one of the uprising's leaders in his cell before his execution was heartbreaking even in print.

The book is a great read even without a background in Irish history.

Although many would criticize this "history" for it's fictionalized conversations and encounters, Peter de Rosa sets forth a fairly accurate and moving account of the events of Easter Week 1916. DeRosa uses the fictionalized conversations to bring alive the characters involved in the events, and does an admirable job in capturing their personalities. This is a remarkably accessible account which will be a good introduction to those new to Irish history. The reader will be spell bound by many of the accounts such as Cathal Brugha's one-man stand against a batallion of British soldiers, and the heart-wrenching final account of the hours leading up to James Connolly's execution having to be tied to a chair due to the severity of his wounds. Pick up this book, you may not be able to put it down.

i have read many fine books and accounts of the rising and the subsequent birth of the republic, but this one stands out as one of my favourites. peter de rosa did an excellent job of not only capturing the factual aspects of the rising, but also giving a multi dimensional character study of those who were so deeply involved in what ultimately was the catalyst for the end of the genocide and oppression of the irish at the hands of the british occupiers in the free republic. but what of our sisters and brothers in northern ireland? perhaps another rising....

De Rosa tells the actual story of the Rising. The actual historical figures (Pearse, Connolly, the Countess. etc.) are the characters and the story is the true events of that glorious week, not fictional melodramas with the Rising as a background (like Redemption). It is at times intriguing, darkly comedic, and exciting, all culminating in the final chapter, which chronicles the executions of the patriots and left me in tears. This book is a wonderful tribute to those valiant men who went to their death at the firing squads to give Ireland new life

Rebels is a well written, informative account of a defining moment in Ireland's history. I especially enjoyed how De Rosa looked at both the rebel and English leadership conflicts and their tragic consequences. The day by day account of the Easter Rebellion in progress moved at a good pace, giving the reader a sense of urgency, a good overview of all of the main battle locations, and yet provided enough detail for those of us who revel in the minute. An excellent choice for those interested in Ireland, its roots, and tribulations

For anyone with an interest in Irish history, but is tired of reading history books, this is one you musn't pass up. An already astonishing saga presented in a way to keep every lay person in it's grip. Tragic, insightful and often humerous, this book is a delight!!!

This is one of the most emotional, powerful books I have ever read. I felt I was I there and that I knew these people personally. The author did some incredible research or else is the ghostly embodiment of all the men of high spirit involved.

It is necessary to acknowledge that there is some controversy surrounding this book. Several reviews have made reference to the lack of solid research behind the author's reconstructions of events, meetings, and conversations. That being said, this is a great book. The story of the 1916 Easter Rebellion is familiar to most with even a passing interest in British or Irish history. Though the conflicts the followed in Ireland have more impact on today's troubles, the Easter Rebellion has long captured the romantic imagination. This author does a fantastic job of bringing that point across. While it is no minor quibble that the critics have with Mr. de Rosa, they should acknowledge that this retelling is certainly in the spirit, if not the letter, of the events cultural significance. The reader does get the `novel' feeling of being present as the tragic events unfold, and the writing has a cinematic quality that makes this reader wish the author had opted for a screenwriters career instead. He vividly describes all of the major characters, from the Pearse brothers and their beloved mother, to Casement, Childers, and all the other freedom fighters. The British, while often melodramatically cast as villains, do emerge with some dignity intact, and the complexities of the political aspects of rebellions share equal time with the more violent and exciting ones. Many critics have pointed to the final chapters, dealing with the rebels in jail, are the most moving, and they are correct. But my money is on the scenes where the rebels are gathering for the initial assault, all the while knowing it will probably fail. Leave your historian hat at the door for this one, but read it anyway. What a great story!

The reviews below describe the book well enough. I would only add that this book has stayed with me for five months now -- the story is that compelling and the portrayal of the protagonists is that vivid. Regardless of your interest in things Irish -- if you believe in liberty and the value of personal sacrifice in the pursuit of liberty, you will be moved by this story.