Read this in one fell swoop. Oliver Cromwell may well be the most Hated Man in Ireland, but Rod Smith tries to play a fair game. The time-travelling CRead this in one fell swoop. Oliver Cromwell may well be the most Hated Man in Ireland, but Rod Smith tries to play a fair game. The time-travelling Children encounter Cromwell on each leg of their journey and he seems a most pleasant and understanding man. Not the man who burned people alive in a church in Drogheda. The action takes place after the Drogheda siege and centers in Wexford and Waterford. Ideal companion book for 5th & 6th class students, but very hazy version of the truth of the atrocities imposed under Cromwell’s reign of terror. A must-read for kids studying this era in school. Love the connections between the past and the present (names, personalities, etc). Left open for more time/travel in another historical novel. Very enjoyable read for 10-12 year olds. Teachers will love it! English students should also read this, to show them the other side of the story... ...more
A book that should be read by anyone with an interest in Modern Irish History. Although this case was only 34 years ago, it seems like yesterday. The A book that should be read by anyone with an interest in Modern Irish History. Although this case was only 34 years ago, it seems like yesterday. The Gardaí were determined to find Joanne Hayes guilty of murdering two babies, who they claimed were twins from two different fathers, hence different blood groups. The charges were dropped but a Tribunal was arranged to examine how Joanne and the Hayes Family were treated. It turned into a witch hunt, where Joanne was attacked by the all male panel who ripped her to shreds: her sexual life; her morality; her decision to sleep with a married man. They bullied her, sedated her and asked the most private (and irrelevant questions). An awful time in our islands History. This book demands to be read. It reveals the truth behind those media reports. Highly recommended....more
I found this book very weak and extremely biased. Phrases like 'Arguably many Rebels like Pearse, Childers, Connolly and Griffith had as much English I found this book very weak and extremely biased. Phrases like 'Arguably many Rebels like Pearse, Childers, Connolly and Griffith had as much English [...] blood in their veins as many Unionists had Irish.' and 'the protagonists on either side were mostly Irish' are irrelevant, offensive and have no references showing their basis. There is also an opaque view of the executed leaders of 1916, when the author says 'Although the executions that followed the Easter Rising were perfectly legal they damaged British standing and created a new crop of martyrs for the cause'. The author may call these executions 'legal' but dues not elude to the fact that these men were 'prisoners of war', and as such, should have been imprisoned, not shot en-masse. I should have abandoned the book after reading the very first line: 'It is likely that many people have never heard of the Anglo-Irish War.' Seriously??? Did he mean Irish people, English people? Americans? I think he may be underestimating a vast percentage of Europe. Should you want to read an Englishman's view of another of England's colonies, go for it. Should you want a balanced, non- biased look at the relationship between Ireland and England, buy a decent book, like Charles Townshend's 'The Republic' or go online and read witness statements on http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/...more
A wonderful book, with witness accounts of the 1916 Rebellion in Ireland. I read as part history assignment research and it was one of the most enjoyaA wonderful book, with witness accounts of the 1916 Rebellion in Ireland. I read as part history assignment research and it was one of the most enjoyable titles I encountered. Ideals for general reading as well as referencing material. Highly recommended!...more
I really enjoyed this collection of statements, letters and memories from 1916. Written mostly by the wealthier middle class Anglo-Irish, located in tI really enjoyed this collection of statements, letters and memories from 1916. Written mostly by the wealthier middle class Anglo-Irish, located in their homes during the rebellion, they nevertheless saw some horrid sights but all from their comfortable three storey over basement homes. The division of class was just as obvious as the political divisions. Well worth reading. Each story had something different to tell. Recommended! ...more
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