Silver Linings: Travels Around Northern Ireland [Paperback]

Martin Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

Martin Fletcher presents a portrait of a Northern Ireland of lakes, rivers, and mountains, where customs, traditions, and old-world charm survive. He reveals an incredibly resourceful province which has given the world not just bombs and bullets, but the tyre and the tractor, a dozen American presidents, two Prime Ministers of New Zealand, and a Hindu god.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Northern Ireland is not your typical travel destination, but it does have a lot to offer, as the author of this amiable book points out. Newspaper reporter Fletcher (Almost Heaven: Travels Through the Backwoods of America) spent two years traveling around the country and getting a feel for its land and people. What he discovered right away was that almost all of the people he met, even the extremists, were friendly, honest, and talkative. This gave him (and he in turn gives readers) some insight into the politics and everyday life of Northern Ireland. This is a compelling portrayal of the gorgeous landscape, the sad history, and the warm and enduring people of the country. Fletcher's writing is straightforward and laden with fascinating facts about the cities and sites that he visited and thoroughly researched. Recommended for all travel collections. Kathleen Shanahan, Kensington, MD
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'Charming' summer round up, DAILY TELEGRAPH 'If you read his previous book, ALMOST HEAVEN, you will know Fletcher's qualities include insight and eloquence...his compassionate, witty book is rich with insight into a place of cockfights, witchcraft, eccentricity and magic' SUNDAY TIMES 'When it comes to Northern Ireland, we have not so much switched off as forgotten to change channels. Fletcher hands us the remote' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0349112517
• ISBN-13: 978-0349112510
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Travel > Europe > Great Britain > Northern Ireland

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real Northern Ireland revealed, August 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Silver Linings: Travels Around Northern Ireland (Paperback)

Martin Fletcher has captured the essence of Northern Ireland in this delightful book. He introduces us to a wonderful patchwork of characters while he describes the beauty of the countryside. He addresses the sometimes-tragic history of the province, but he also provides some fascinating historical tidbits about the connections between Ulster and the United States that should interest American readers. Those who enjoy the work of Bill Bryson and anyone who loves Ireland, north or south, will appreciate this book. I have traveled to Northern Ireland over fifteen times since 1974, and I just happened to find this book on the last day of my recent five-week holiday. I have never read anything else that mentions so many of the people, places and things that I love about the country. I certainly share the author's hope that there are some "silver linings" on the horizon for this special corner of the world.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, two slight omissions, August 9, 2004

By 

D. McDiffett "iteachlit" (Salina, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Silver Linings: Travels Around Northern Ireland (Paperback)

Call me picky for marking down an outstanding book like "Silver Linings" for two omissions that probably aren't even in the author's control, but so be it. A combination between a travel guide and a collection of memories, this book badly needs at least one more detailed map of Northern Ireland than the small ones provided at the start of each chapter. Fletcher makes the reader truly wish to visit many of the sites he describes, but one could never find them with the maps provided. Second, a few pictures, even black and white, would add immensely to the impact of Fletcher's words. That said, this is a terrifically entertaining and informative book that I'd recommend, "Go you out and purchase it!"

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Visit the Other Ireland, February 18, 2003

By 

"vw73181" (NORTH BARRINGTON, ILLINOIS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silver Linings: Travels Around Northern Ireland (Paperback)

I just finished reading Martin Fletcher's book about his travels around Northern Ireland. I'm so sorry my wife and I didn't know about this book before we visited Ulster in September 2002. The author correctly goes out of his way to let the reader know that there's more to Northern Ireland than bombings, religious stife, and high unemployment. A trip to the British province is an educational experience -- a wild and complex history, beautiful countryside, and warm people who welcome visitors. It's not surprising that Travel Weekly magazine, "The Travel Industry's Leading Newspaper" (as it calls itself) highlights Belfast in its 10FEB03 article, "The Next Big Thing -- Up and Coming Destinations." Silver Linings opened my eyes to the opinion that the USA probably wouldn't be what it is today were it not for its links to Ulster. If you read this book and like it, you'd probably enjoy reading one of the "Incidents of Travel" books written by John Lloyd Stephens about his travels throughout Mesoamerica and the Middle East during the 1800s.