From Publishers Weekly
McCourt (
A Monk Swimming) breaks down Ireland's history into 16 sections and, through biographical vignettes, uses famous Irish men and woman to define each epoch. For example, he explores ancient Ireland by profiling the three most prominent Irish saints: Patrick, Brigid and Columcille. Each brief, colloquial sketch provides not only historical background but also colorful conjectures. Moving through history, readers encounter Brian Ború, the Irish king credited with expelling the Vikings and unifying Ireland; Strongbow, who led the Norman invasion of Ireland; and Hugh O'Neill, who battled Elizabeth for Irish freedom before succumbing in the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. Modern Ireland is represented by the likes of Theobald Wolfe Tone, a member of the (Presbyterian) United Irishmen, who led the unsuccessful revolution of 1798; and Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator, who brought religious freedom to Ireland's Catholics. Of course, modern revolutionary Ireland is represented by Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera, and there are also looks at writers W.B. Yeats and Samuel Beckett. McCourt takes us up to the present with portraits of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and rock star Bono. Interesting for the neophyte, this volume will be old news for the veteran reader of Irish history.
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Review
A celebrity-driven, dumbed-down, whirlwind tour of Hibernian history. History is about social movements, about catastrophe and conflict, about accidents, about misperceptions and misunderstandings. It's about power. McCourt (Singing My Him Song, 2000, etc.), brother of fellow nostalgia-monger Frank McCourt, knows this, but he puts on the blarney at the outset: "To anyone who knows me, it's no secret that I was never much for the formal schooling when I was a young fellow, paying scant attention when I did happen to attend, remembering little, and leaving it off completely at the ripe old age of thirteen." Q.E.D. What follows are textbook-glossing sketches on such matters as the Cattle Raid of Cooley, the Flight of the Earls (which McCourt sensibly proposes be rechristened "The Escape of the Earls"), and the recent Troubles, some rendered with only a passing command of the facts. (The word "bride," for example, does not come from the name of St. Brigid. It's pleasant to think that without the Irish there would be no such civilizing touches as marriage, but that's Thomas Cahill's territory.) These sketches hinge on individual personalities-Hugh O'Neill, Wolfe Tone, the inevitable James Joyce-whom McCourt approaches with reverential awe. The results are not helpful. Of one writer we learn, for instance: "Samuel Beckett was a fascinating man, who gave the world a great body of work." Of Bernadette Devlin, surely one of the more controversial figures in recent Irish history: "As a young university student, she turned to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for inspiration. In future years some young person, perhaps, will turn to her in the same way." Over U2 he swoons: "Passionate and thoughtful, the band brought intelligence back to rock-and-roll after what seemed like decades where stupidity in popular music was the norm." And so on, all in the manner of an enthusiastic village explainer-helpful if you're a village, otherwise not. Cliffs Notes for a barstool chat. Anyone with an inkling of the subject, though, will know that there are shelves full of better sources. (Kirkus Reviews)
Malachy McCourt's earlier books, particularly A Monk Swimming, showed his great storytelling skills. The lilt of his voice can be heard in his writing. This is a much bigger book, telling Ireland's turbulent and eventful history from its earliest days right up to the twenty first century. McCourt's approach is unique. He has been inspired by the great and legendary personalities of his native land, starting with the mythical and semi-magical figures of Cuchullan, Maeve and Finn MacCool and the mystical knowledge of the Celtic people. Ireland's history and legends have always been recounted and passed on in equal measure by the storyteller at the fireside, with little distinction between fact and legend, and it is this engaging approach that makes this history so unique and so appealing. When a particular event sparks a train of thought the author is not afraid to take the reader along with him. This is one man's very readable account of the events that make Ireland what it is. It is not intended as a scholarly work, though it is well researched. Ireland's history has always proved confusing to British audiences, but McCourt's book is instantly accessible, packed full of larger than life characters and wild tales. Although his readers are warned that "truth has no business getting in the way of a good story", they will be enchanted and educated in equal measure. These features make this a valuable and important book. (Kirkus UK)
by Malachy McCourt
by Malachy McCourt
by Malachy McCourt
by Alphie McCourt
by Frank McCourt
