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Edward Laxton

The Famine Ships: The Irish Exodus to America Hardcover – March 1, 1997

by Edward Laxton (Author)

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A readable popular history, complemented by color paintings, passenger lists, and other memorabilia, traces the history of the emigrants from Ireland's potato famine between 1846 and 1851, highlighting the compelling stories of individuals. 12,500 first printing.

Print length

250 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Henry Holt & Co
Publication date

March 1, 1997
Dimensions

6.5 x 1.25 x 9.75 inches
ISBN-10

0805053131
ISBN-13

978-0805053135
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The defining moments of Irish history are studded with arrivals (St. Patrick, Oliver Cromwell) and departures (St. Columbanus, James Joyce). In the 1840s the great arrival was the Potato Blight, and the even greater departure was the multitude of ships carrying the nearly one million emigrants escaping the Irish famine to America. In this work, Laxton, a former newspaper editor, narrates the stories of these emigrants as they sailed for the the New World. The work is a fascinating compilation derived from family histories handed down through the generations; it describes both the horrible conditions aboard the ships and the emigrants' boundless optimism concerning the freedom of America. This well-written supplement to the various works on the Irish famine exodus finally draws attention to the people and the ships that defined a moment in Irish and American history.?John J. Doherty, Montana State Univ., Bozeman
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

For Mr. Laxton, a journalist of Irish descent, compiling the chronicles of horrific shipwrecks, unlikely rescue dramas and the specifications of the emigrant ships was obviously a labour of love.... But although his enthusiasm for the subject is undoubted, Mr. Laxton's method is haphazard and his handling of the context sketchy. -- The Economist

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt & Co; 1st American ed edition (March 1, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805053131
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805053135
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,483,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #31,373 in European History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
85 ratings

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5 star		69%
4 star		18%
3 star		9%
2 star		3%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Kindle CustoCathy Barnardmer

The Famine Ships; the Irish Exodus to Americza

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2008

Verified Purchase

Interesting history/topic but very, very dryly written with much redundancy and minute details that distract from the history. There is a tendency to go back and forth from one period to another and not stay on task chronologically, which I found distracting. Some of the writing itself seemed immature with a lot of of trite phrasing (i.e., "watery grave" over and over) with an attempt to be profound; there were times when I felt I was reading someone's Master's thesis or doctoral dissertation, rather than an historic book written for the general public. It was so dry and laborious that I finally stopped reading it about three-quarters of the way through and picked up two other books to read. I would have liked much more detail about the famine itself and its impact on the families and/or details of the poorhouses from which many of the emigrants came and specifically what they were escaping. The destitution and impact of the famine wasn't detailed enough nor were the actual shipboard situations; the details involved the shipping companies and such, with only cursory details of the actual events on board, etc. Obviously, I was very disappointed in this book.

17 people found this helpful

Helpful

Tom Bruce

One book badly in need of an editor

Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2000

Verified Purchase

This may be the most disorganized book I have ever read, and it contains numerous factual errors to boot, a kiss of death for a supposed history book. The vignettes come at you with no apparent thought about how one inter-relates with another. It is just a jumbled mess of repetitious incidents randomly presented. A simple solution would have been to build each chapter around a port of emigration. As for factual errors, how about the Titanic sailing on its maiden voyage from New York City. Or, on one page you are told a ship sank but most of its 200 passengers survived. On the next page you are told that most died. And there is no further explanation or clarification given. Dates of events are given as one year in the book, and pages later as another year. The book is published by reputable Henry Holt. Boy, they were totally asleep on this one. Even if there are some interesting facts given, how can you trust them in the face of all the errors. If you like watching movies to find the mistakes - like Plan 9 From Outer Space -- then this book is for you. All other potential readers, beware.

50 people found this helpful

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nancy hoesel

... and gives you a glimpse of what it was like for those who left Ireland during the famine and ...

Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book is compelling and gives you a glimpse of what it was like for those who left Ireland during the famine and came to the United States. I have three great, great grandparents who came during this time and one even came on one of the ships mentioned in the book. It told a story that I had never heard before of the suffering and desperation our ancestors lived and how relieved they must have been to have even survived the trip over the ocean. I could hardly put the book down and was sorry when it ended.

10 people found this helpful

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blueskies

Fascinating

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2018

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I had no idea what the Irish emigrants endured during their horrific passage to the US and Canada during the mix 1800s. If you are a descendant of an Irish immigrant this is a must read.

2 people found this helpful

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Jeremy Biermaier

Great for young readers

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2019

Verified Purchase

Used it for class and was a hit with students.

One person found this helpful

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Paul Ervin Schweizer

Long voyage to life of opportunity

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book has given me a feel for the sacrifices that Irish emigrants made to cross the Atlantic to North America. Great aspect is his focus on the people involved, particular emigrants, captains, and even c-men trying to fleece new arrivals. Now I know something about most of Irish ancestors left during or just after the Famine.

Paul (McCarthy) Schweizer, O.Carm.

2 people found this helpful

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Lance McNeill

Extremely well researched

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2017

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I really enjoyed this read, a lot of facts and told in an engaging way. If you are a history buff you'll definitely enjoy

3 people found this helpful

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Shar B

Enjoyed reading this book since my ancestors are from Ireland

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2015

Verified Purchase

Enjoyed reading this book since my ancestors are from Ireland. I have been doing genealogy on both my husband's families and this gives a clear view of what the Irish people endured prior to the famine and the exodus to American. Sad, but heartwarming.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Smithy

Interesting read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2019

Verified Purchase

Interesting read.

B. Cassells

Antiquarian Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2013

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Excellent readable book which gives an excellent overview into this emotive era of Irish history. Often referred to as the coffin ships this book describes the horrible conditions as to how the incumbrents were treated.

2 people found this helpful

Mrs. E. Campbell

... off a few purchased for my husband who is delighted with it

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2016

Verified Purchase

One off a few purchased for my husband who is delighted with it. A nice read

K and R

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

A good second hand copy. Very pleased

drf

very detailed narratives with names, dates and where possible ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

very detailed narratives with names, dates and where possible quotes from letters and ship journals. very helpful in understanding the overall and individual consequences to Englands apartheid policy in Ireland for generations.

One person found this helpful

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