Customer Reviews

101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History: The People, Places, Culture, and Tradition of the Emerald Isle (101 Things You Didnt Know Abt)

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

 

 

With a title like "101 Things You Didn't Know", I was expecting a list of fun facts and trivia items that could be pulled out on St. Patrick's Day during conversation. That's not what this is. Instead, it's a collection of 101 mini-essays (each of them several paragraphs long) going chronologically through the history of the Emerald Isle from prehistoric times to the present day. It's fairly light reading and is useful for the typical general interest reader who knows next to nothing about the Celts, the Book of Kells, or Bloody Sunday.

It is arranged into four sections: Ancient Ireland, Arrival of Christianity and the British, Preserving Irish Culture and History, and Emigration to Modern Life. There are also two appendices: one on Irish Gaelic pronunciation with a few basic phrases, and another with a very short collection of Irish proverbs and blessings.

After reading "101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History", you will know a lot more about Ireland than a book of random fun facts could have taught. Sometimes it's good to have your expectations broken!

When I was in school, I studied Medieval history, with an emphasis on England, and it astounded me when I read this book to realize how little I really knew about Ireland and Irish culture and history! I liked the format of this book - many (101, to be exact!) very short chapters, only 2-3 pages at most - that were easy to read and didn't overload on the facts. Most of the items were presented in chronological order, though there was some overlap, especially during tumultous times in Irish history. The tone was very light, and there were a few times where I thought it was a bit TOO light, but not to the point of being offensive. Factual information was given, but not in a way that made you feel you were reading a scholarly book. I did find it a bit tedious as the chronology approached modern times, but that's most likely just me, since modern history isn't my interest - the writing and style did not change.

I was very glad to have a chance to partially fill in what turned out to be a huge gap in my knowledge, and finished the book with a much greater respect for the Irish and their history and culture. I would recommend this to just about anyone. It won't replace any scholarly works on Ireland and the Irish, but it's an excellent beginning book for someone who is casually interested in Irish history. For what it is - a quick, light, factual read - it's just right.

Note on Kindle formatting: Excellent. I found a few instances of incorrect punctuation throughout the book, all which could easily have been found in a print version as well. There was nothing that impacted ease of reading.

I have a book by the same author called "The Everything Irish Book," and it's pretty much the same. So if you have that one, don't get this one too! Great books though.

I decided to read this book in honor of Saint Patrick's Day, expecting it to just skim over the history of Ireland. The book surprised me by the depth it covered. Still, this book is not for scholars, but it should suffice those readers wanting to know something about the people of Ireland.

Though I feel the amount of information was more than adequate, sometimes the book came across as rather "dry". But the book held my interest in the long run.

The "101 Things" authors give you a profound understanding of the cultural influences that shaped Ireland and all of the UK along with the other countries and cultures that have existed all along the Eastern Atlantic. If your family originates from within those areas, this book will put your part of history in context. The authors also help you understand the significance of other writers on areas of history in those realms.

As an example: I downloaded and read the excellent series of Kindle books by author Ruth Downie, which begins with "Medicus, A Novel of the Roman Empire." This series takes place in ancient Britain as it evolved from one culture to another and then sometimes back again. The "101 Things" authors provide the readers of Ms Downie's brilliant novels with exactly the right background context of 4th century Britain and Gaul.

The "101 Things" authors also explain - without prejudice - how the cultures of Ireland have evolved from the beginning until the present. The patterns of cultural growth in Ireland are clearly similar to the growth of other cultures throughout the world. That clear story may be the greatest gift the "101 Things" authors provide for us. They are teaching a much broader lesson than just Ireland. They are teaching us how peoples interact and survive and - perhaps - become extinct.

The "101 Things" authors have done well.

I had picked this up when it was free, but promptly forgot it.

While taking a break from 100 year old mysteries, I rediscovered this and read it.

Lots of good information about Irish mythology, history, religion, immigration and politics. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in the history of the Irish, and what led to where Ireland is now. It was described as a collection of mini-essays in another review, and that is a good way to put it.

I've read my books of Irish History, both ancient and modern and this is by far the best. It provides all you need to know without hundreds of pages of details. It allows you to understand where the Irish came from and why they are who they are. I absolutley loved this book.

Interesting and easy to read.
Learned quite a few things I never knew about my Irish heritage.

I am half Irish and I wanted to know some trivia, history, etc. before I go to visit Ireland. This book is fantastic!!!

Really? Was there an editor for this book? From chapter 8 "...wrote down a bunch of ancient Celtic legends..." Reads like a middle school essay. Wonder who wrote the positive reviews?