New Irish Books
Gregory Carr
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Explaining Irish Democracy by Bill Kissane
(Paperback; 22.00 Euro / 18.00 USD / 15.50 UK; UCD Press, 288 pages)
This book is a systematic account of why Ireland remained a democracy after
revolution and independence. The author breaks new ground in analysing the
Irish case from a comparative international perspective and by discussing it
in terms of the classic works of democratic theory. Each chapter tests the
explanatory power of a particular approach, and the result is a compelling
mixture of political history, sociology and political science.
Taking issue with many conventional assumptions, the author questions
whether Irish democracy after 1921 was really a surprise, by relating the
outcome to the level of socio-economic development, the process of land
reform, and the emergence of a strong civil society under the Union. On the
other hand, things did not go according to plan in 1922, and two chapters
are devoted to the origins and nature of the civil war. The remaining
chapters are concerned with analysing how democracy was rebuilt after the
civil war; the author questions whether that achievement was entirely the
work of the pro-treatyites. Indeed, by focusing on the continued
divisiveness of the Treaty issue, the nature of constitutional
republicanism, and the significance of the 1937 constitution, Kissane argues
that Irish democracy was not really consolidated until the late 1930s, and
that that achievement was largely the work of Eamon de Valera.
Based on extensive archival research, this book is a powerfully argued work
of comparative political science and Irish history.
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Wilde's Lough Corrib by Sir William Wilde
(Hardback; 30.00 Euro / 25.00 USD / 20.00 UK; Duffy press, 306 pages)
Sir William Wilde wrote this book on his beloved Lough Corrib at his home in
Moytura, Cong, in 1867, when it was originally published. A writer and
archaeologist of note, he published various books and documentaries at the
time and catalogued the collection of the Royal Irish Academy Museum. This
'documentary' of the archaeology, antiquities and folklore of Lough Corrib
is the accepted 'Jewel in the Crown' of the region. Beautifully illustrated
with seventy-four woodcut engravings depicting the many old Castles, Abbeys,
Forts, Cairns, etc - so prolific in the area - and it with doubt a gem.
Posterity owes a lot the Wilde. Now, after one hundred and thirty-five
years, the book is reprinted in Wilde's original text.
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The Lost Soul's Reunion by Suzanne Power
(Trade Paperback; 12.99 Euro / 11.50 USD / 10.00 UK; Picador, 324 pages)
On a hill overlooking the grey sea, in a house filled with the past, a woman
gathers her ghosts for one night to hear their story retold. This is Sive
Moriarty's tale, beginning with her grandmother's ill-fated marriage.
Moving, mysterious and gracefully written, this book is a strange and
beautiful tale of love between mothers and daughters, between men and women,
and between individuals and the land they lived on. From the grotesque
bustle of sixties London to the magical landscapes of coastal Ireland, it is
a story that paints, most beautifully of all, the landscape of the human
heart.
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The Stuart Kingdoms in the 17th Century edited by Allan MacInnes and Jane
Ohlmeyer
(Hardback; 50.00 Euro / 42.50 USD / 35.00 UK; Four Courts Press, 272 pages)
The 'British Problem' has come to dominate the historiographical agenda of
the Stuart kingdoms in the seventeenth century. This volume aims to
challenge traditional interpretations and to offer constructive suggestions
about how the 'New British Histories' might be fruitfully reappraised and
situated in wider geographical, methodological and cultural contexts. By
asking pertinent 'awkward' questions, the book explores the relations
within, between and beyond the Stuart kingdoms and accentuates the positive
aspects of 'awkwardness'. These essays offer fresh and exciting research,
often by younger scholars, and innovative insights from regional, national,
and international perspectives. This collection invites readers to view the
Stuart kingdoms from a holistic standpoint and to pay due attention to
Scotland and Ireland as well as their awkward neighbour, England, with
losing sight of the wider European and global pictures.
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Irish Verse: An Anthology edited by Bob Blaisdell
(Paperback; 3.60 Euro / 3.10 USD / 2.70 UK; Dover, 134 pages)
Celebrated for their unique poetic sensibility and wondrous way with words,
the Irish have produced a rich heritage of great poetry. This book attests
to the Irish love and language, spanning fourteen centuries of literary
history and featuring works by more than 60 of the country's most
distinguished poets. This book is a comprehensive selection of well-known
Irish poets.
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A Buyer's Guide to Irish Art 2nd edition edited by Roberta Reeners
(Paperback; 38.00 Euro / 33.00 USD / 29.00 UK; Ashville Media; 432 pages,
with full colour photos throughout)
This book is a definitive record of over 7,000 paintings by 700 Irish
artists that have gone to auction in Ireland and the UK since May 1999.
Listing every Irish artwork to go under the hammer at all the major auction
houses, the book presents all the information that every art collector needs
to know - including detailed price guides and sales histories for each
piece. It also includes a series of unique editorial features that inform
and captivate the established collector and new art investor - from advice
on how to buy art at auction to selecting the Top Forty-Five Rising Stars of
Irish art to watch out for. This book is an essential reference for any
interested in Irish Art.
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Buying a House in Ireland by Tim McDonald
(Paperback; 11.40 Euro / 10.00 USD / 8.99 UK; Blackhall Publishing, )
Over the last number of years it has become extremely difficult for people
to purchase property in Ireland: prices have increased substantially and
there can be intense competition between purchasers vying for a property.
This book advises on how to complete the purchase of a property in Ireland.
Covering topics from viewing and bidding to the legal side of the property
purchase, this is a very practical guide to purchasing houses or apartments,
be they new or second-hand, urban or rural. It contains useful, up-to-date
information for first-time buyers as well as those who have already 'been
around the block'.
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A Voyage Round My Life by Henry Boylan
(Paperback; 12.50 Euro / 11.00 USD / 9.50 UK; AA Farmer, 166 pages)
Henry Boylan was born the son of a sea captain in 1911. Prevented from
going to sea by the Great Depression of the 1930s, he joined the Civil
Service, and was soon assigned as manager of the fledgling Radio Eireann.
His fluent Irish introduced him to the vigorous and active world of the
gaelgeoiri, far from the repressiveness of the traditional image. As
Director of Gaeltacht Services he helped to build up thriving tweed and
seaweed industries in the West of Ireland and travelled the world selling
Irish tweed, in the days when one went by transatlantic liner and dressed
for dinner. In the late 1950s he and Gaeltarra Eireann were the victims of
an extraordinary vendetta by a senior politician. On his retirement from
the Civil Service he embarked on his second career as a writer. This is his
autobiography.
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Famine by Liam O'Flaherty
(Paperback; 12.00 Euro / 10.50 USD / 9.00 UK; Wolfhound Press, 430 pages)
First published in 1973, this book has been variously defined as a
masterpiece, a major achievement, and a classic of Irish literature. During
the Great Famine of the 1840s over three million people lost their lives or
were forced to flee the country. This novel tells the story of three
generations of the Kilmartin family as they fight to survive. It is a story
full of human tragedy, courage and passion.
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Slan agus beannacht!
Gregory Carr
Bill McCarty
Gregory Carr wrote in message ...
>Explaining Irish Democracy by Bill Kissane
>(Paperback; 22.00 Euro / 18.00 USD / 15.50 UK; UCD Press, 288 pages)
>
>This book is a systematic account of why Ireland remained a democracy
after >revolution and independence.
I'm sure it's an interesting book but I can't help wondering what
alternatives were there ? Ireland had just rid itself of an arrogant,
stupid, overbearing monarchy which had distinguished itself in Irish
eyes for its talents at land grabbing, political, social and economic
exploitation, denigration of the Irish people, their language and
their culture. Plus all the worst aspects of aggressive imperialism
which saw Ireland, and indeed the rest of the world, in terms of its
usefulness to the British ruling class.
Was there a chance that Ireland might have anointed one of their own
as a king ? Any chance they would have set up an oligarchy of affluent
landowners ? A fascist dictatorship ? A communist workers paradise
with private land being converted to collective farms ? None of this
sounds remotely possible given the Irish habit of seeing oneself as the
equal, if not the better, of any man or woman. Not to mention his
innate begrudgery of any one adopting airs and graces. Has anyone ever
call the Prime Minister by any name other than the diminutive "Bertie" ?
A constant (and wise) reminder that he can be replaced tomorrow
morning.
.
And what is this reference to "remained a democracy after revolution
and independence" all about ? What kind of farcical democracy existed
before the British were finally and forever kicked out ? Ireland was
not a democracy under British rule. It was a pitiful third rate stud
farm where cheap labor was produced for the dark satanic mills of
Birmingham and Manchester, or the coal mines of Pennsylvania.
In short, Mr. Kissane may have produced a book explaining
something that really NEEDS no explanation.
Regards, BMc
Paulie
"Bill McCarty" <b...@NOSPAMsosbbs.com> wrote:
> And what is this reference to "remained a democracy after revolution
> and independence" all about ? What kind of farcical democracy existed
> before the British were finally and forever kicked out ?
I agree with you here.
> Ireland was
> not a democracy under British rule. It was a pitiful third rate stud
> farm where cheap labor was produced for the dark satanic mills of
> Birmingham and Manchester, or the coal mines of Pennsylvania.
Again, I agree.
> In short, Mr. Kissane may have produced a book explaining
> something that really NEEDS no explanation.
Here, I have to disagree.
Of all the countries "freed" after WWI, the only one IIRC that
remained a democracy by 1939 was Ireland.
Poland, Finland, blah blah blah, all descended into autocratic
regimes.
Ireland could very easily have gone down that route in, say, 32.
Paul...
> Regards, BMc
Alan Smaill
> Of all the countries "freed" after WWI, the only one IIRC that
> remained a democracy by 1939 was Ireland.
>
> Poland, Finland, blah blah blah, all descended into autocratic
> regimes.
Estonia.
> Ireland could very easily have gone down that route in, say, 32.
>
>
> Paul...
>
> > Regards, BMc
>
--
Alan Smaill email: A.Sm...@ed.ac.uk
Division of Informatics tel: 44-131-650-2710
Edinburgh University
Paulie
Alan Smaill <sma...@dai.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
> pa...@not.a.chance.eircom.net (Paulie) writes:
> > Poland, Finland, blah blah blah, all descended into autocratic
> > regimes.
> Estonia.
Are there many more?
Will you accept that the vast majority did so?
Paul...
> Alan Smaill email: A.Sm...@ed.ac.uk
Alan Smaill
> Alan Smaill <sma...@dai.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> > pa...@not.a.chance.eircom.net (Paulie) writes:
>
> > > Poland, Finland, blah blah blah, all descended into autocratic
> > > regimes.
>
> > Estonia.
>
>
> Are there many more?
Maybe Latvia and Lithuania, what do you think?
> Will you accept that the vast majority did so?
The majority, agreed.
>
> Paul...
>
>
> > Alan Smaill email: A.Sm...@ed.ac.uk
>
--