Customer Reviews

Tread Softly on My Dreams: Robert Emmet's Story

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This book was one of the most enjoyable but extremely moving books that I have ever read. Robert Emmet was a wonderful man with a passion and dream as great as any Irishman had for Ireland. This was set during a very troubled time of Irelands history that gave me a great understanding of Irish history. Gretta Curran Browne spent fours years researching for this book and all I can say is that I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Inspired by genealogical research that led me to find such a direct line to Scotland and Ireland in my family, I had decided to learn more about the history of both countries. As William Wallace's inner strength and noble acts were brought across in Mel Gibson's movie, "Braveheart," Gretta Curran Browne has done admirable honor to Robert Emmet, a hero no less strong and noble. This book reads like an engaging historical movie that does stay true to actual events in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Your time will not be wasted with this reading.

This is probably the best book I have ever read. It has all the history of the story with a very personal human touch. I have never been so emotionally moved while reading a book, especially at the ending.

"Tread Softly on my Dreams" is the best novel about Ireland that I've read--and I've read many. (Of course Morgan Llywelyn's novels are outstanding, but this even beats them.) Like another reviewer, I came to this book accidentally. What a find! The writing is good, the story is wonderful and parts of the book just shine. Robert Emmet's plea from the dock during his trial brings a lump to the throat of all of us with Irish blood. There's a great mixture of fact and fiction. This is one of those books that inspires you to go to non-fiction to find out what really happened. In my opinion that should be the goal of all historical fiction writers. If you like historical fiction and especially if you are in love with Ireland like I am, you must read this book.

Absolutely fabulous book - and so is the sequel 'Fire On The hill'. This is the first book on Emmett and his abortive rising that gives Anne Devlin her proper place, and shows her bravery and love for Emmett for what it was. Read this and know what a great historical novel should be, and as a great introduction to many of ireland's greatest heroes. This should be on everyone's list if you are at all interested in ireland's history

I discovered this book by accident, and could not put it down. The writing is superb and the story gripping. I can't understand why a book like this is not in the bestsellers. It humanises a period in Irish history that appeals to everyone of all nationalities, and although a novel, it is so authentic in its feel and fact and language which makes it even more exciting. I thought the title was a bit romantic, because really the book is a political thriller.

I was delighted to discover this book, although chagrined to find out it was first published in 1990 and it took me 20 years to find that out.

Although the story by Browne is novelized, it is a most accurate history of the events leading to and surrounding the 1803 rising and its tragic outcome for Emmet. I traveled in Ireland in 1997, searched for Emmet history all over, and yet never heard of this book. (And I only found the statue on St. Stephen's Green last year.)

The author skillfully weaves together the bare facts of the Rising, the known facts of the life of Emmet, the lives of those who were in Emmet's circle of family and acquaintances, and the people, places and politics of Ireland at the times before, during and even after the Rising. It reads easily and quickly and tells a gripping story, especially for those who crave to know more about the history of Ireland.

Hard to find, but highly recpmmended.