European history Books

Book SynopsisThe Vikings famously took no prisoners, relished cruel retribution, and prided themselves on their blood-thirsty skills as warriors. But their prowess in battle is only a small part of their story, which stretches from their Scandinavian origins to America in the west and as far as Baghdad in the east. As the Vikings did not write their history, we have to discover it for ourselves, and that discovery, as Neil Oliver reveals, tells an extraordinary story of a people who, from the brink of destruction, reached a quarter of the way around the globe and built an empire that lasted nearly 200 years.Drawing on the latest discoveries that have only recently come to light, Neil Oliver goes on the trail of the real Vikings. Where did they emerge from? How did they really live? And just what drove them to embark on such extraordinary voyages of discovery over 1000 years ago? VIKINGS will explore many of these questions for the first time in an epic story of one of the world's great empires of conquest.Trade ReviewThis is an engaging and enjoyable look at the fierce race who dominated the North Sea in the early medieval period, traversing as far as central Asia all the way to the Americas. In his likeable, young-professor style, Oliver looks at the wider historical context in which these fascinating people lived, and (as always) explores the archaeological evidence they left behind. * CATHOLIC HERALD *This book derives from one of Neil Oliver's TV series, and is just like them: engaging, informative, good on both landscapes and seascapes, and with a lot of Neil Oliver in it, leaping about. * BBC HISTORY *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Highland Clearances stands out as one of the most emotive chapters in the history of Scotland. This book traces the origins of the Clearances from the eighteenth century to their culmination in the crofting legislation of the 1880s. In considering both the terrible suffering of the Highland people as well as the stark choices that faced landowners during a period of rapid economic change, it shows how the Clearances were one of many 'attempted' solutions to the problem of how to maintain a population on marginal and infertile land, and were, in fact, part of a wider European movement of rural depopulation. In drawing attention away from the mythology to the hard facts of what actually happened, The Highland Clearances offers a balanced analysis of events which created a terrible scar on the Highland and Gaelic imagination.Trade Review'required reading ... not to be missed for its fearless and comprehensive grasp of the past and its relevance for today' * Ileach *'Eric Richards is a fluent, lucid writer' * Herald *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A gripping, heart-breaking account of the famine winter of 1847' - Rosemary Goring, The Herald Longlisted for the Highland Book Prize When Scotland’s 1846 potato crop was wiped out by blight, the country was plunged into crisis. In the Hebrides and the West Highlands a huge relief effort came too late to prevent starvation and death. Further east, meanwhile, towns and villages from Aberdeen to Wick and Thurso, rose up in protest at the cost of the oatmeal that replaced potatoes as people’s basic foodstuff. Oatmeal’s soaring price was blamed on the export of grain by farmers and landlords cashing in on even higher prices elsewhere. As a bitter winter gripped and families feared a repeat of the calamitous famine then ravaging Ireland, grain carts were seized, ships boarded, harbours blockaded, a jail forced open, the military confronted. The army fired on one set of rioters. Savage sentences were imposed on others. But thousands-strong crowds also gained key concessions. Above all they won cheaper food. Those dramatic events have long been ignored or forgotten. Now, in James Hunter, they have their historian. The story he tells is, by turns, moving, anger-making and inspiring. In an era of food banks and growing poverty, it is also very timely.Trade Review'Hunter adds to his remarkable body of work with a new and in-depth exploration of the impact of the potato famine on the north of Scotland. …Scene after scene of popular resistance and the state’s bungling responses are brought to life through Hunter’s clear prose. His loving attention to detail shines through' * The Bottle Imp (Best Scottish Books, 2019) *'Hunter never forgets that history is first of all narrative – and this book is rich in stories – or that is subject is the experience of individual men and women, creatures of flesh and blood, not abstractions. Insurrection is fascinating reading, both painful and uplifting' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'A gripping, heart-breaking account of the famine winter of 1847. … Hunter’s pacily written history turns a telescope on the society and culture, and the economic and political predicament of these regions. Insurrection takes the generalisation and theories of [the communist manifesto] and puts a face to them. They stare out from this book – thousands upon thousands of them – gaunt and helpless with hunger' -- Rosemary Goring * Herald *'The Scottish potato famine was caused by the same blight that brought disaster to Ireland, … Insurrection describes how Scottish landowners were both the cause and cure of the famine' * Times *'Tells the story of a savage, brutal, largely forgotten episode in Scotland’s history through the human tales Hunter uncovered in his research' * Sunday Post *'No one has done more to help us understand the reality of life in the Highlands and Islands over the past few centuries. Graphs and statistical analyses he leaves to others – his focus has been to give individual Highlanders a voice. It is a deeply troubling yet quite uplifting tale that this most readable book tells' * Press and Journal *'Distinguished Highland historian Jim Hunter sheds light on a turbulent episode in the history of the north' * Caithness Courier *'Insurrection is an inspiring story of forgotten history' -- Martin Empson * ResoluteReader *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'[an] exploration of Scotland's past through the eyes of a scholarly hiker ... Magnificent' - New Statesman, Books of the Year Fourteen centuries ago, Irish saints journeyed to the Hebrides and Scotland's Atlantic shore. They sought spiritual solitude in remote places, but their mission was also to spread the word of God to the peoples of Scotland. Columba was the most famous of these pioneers who rowed their curraghs towards danger and uncertainty in a pagan land, but the many others are now largely forgotten. Alistair Moffat sets off in search of these elusive figures. As he follows in their footsteps, he finds their traces not so much in tangible remains as in the spirit and memory of the places that lay at the very edge of their world. Trade Review'An exploration of Scotland's past through the eyes of a scholarly hiker ... magnificent' * New Statesman *'Delightful ... Moffat's writing is at its most fascinating when he writes about his own experience' * Church Times *'See Scotland's shores in a new light on Alistair's journey' * Scots Magazine *'A lively and sometimes humorous account for a popular audience and whilst meticulously researched, he captures the spirit of beauty of the 'thin place' between heaven and earth' -- Lynne McNeil * Life and Work *'Moffat writes sensitively and informatively about early monasticism... His book is also full of fascinating asides on more recent spiritual and religious currents and controversies in these regions, and makes for a satisfying and compelling travelogue' -- Ian Bradley * Church Times *'Moffat has a gift for putting readers at ease and bringing history alive... part social history, part travelogue, part religious hymnal, this is a charming book' -- Megan Amato * Scottish Field *'Moffat uncovers the monastic communities, linked by piety and seacraft, that once girded the Atlantic like so many prayer beads. A compulsive read' * The Tablet *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the dark dungeons beneath Nazi Germany, teams of occult experts delved into ancient and forbidden lore, searching for lost secrets of power. This book tells the complete history of the Nazi occult programs, from their quests for the Ark of the Covenant, the Spear of Destiny, and the Holy Grail, through their experiments with lycanthrope and zero-point energy. It also includes information on the shadow war fought in the dying days of the Reich as the Nazis deployed strange flying saucers that battled to save their final stronghold in the Antarctic. For years, the Allied governments worked to keep this information from reaching the public, and sought to discredit those few who dared to seek the truth. Now, using a combination of photography and artwork reconstructions, the true story of the most secret battles of World War II can finally be told.Table of ContentsThe Secret of the Runes /The Thule Bruderschaft /The Ahnenerbe /Tibet and the Secret Kingdom /The Ark, the Spear, and the Grail/ Aktion Hess /Ice Moon and Hollow Earth /Vril and Zero-Point Energy /Projekt Saucer /Werwolf /The Black Sun and the Fourth Reich

Read more less

Book SynopsisThese three Battleground Europe books on Ypres 1914 mark the centenary of the final major battle of the 1914 campaign on the Western Front. Although fought over a relatively small area and short time span, the fighting was even more than usually chaotic and the stakes were extremely high. Authors Nigel Cave and Jack Sheldon combine their respective expertise to tell the story of the men - British, French, Indian and German - who fought over the unremarkable undulating ground that was to become firmly placed in British national conscience ever afterwards. The most direct route to Ypres for the advancing German columns in October 1914 was along the axis of the Menin Road. It was here that the Old Contemptibles of the BEF earned their legendary heroic status as they fought off increasingly desperate German assaults day after day, whilst place names such as Zandvoorde, Polygon Wood and Gheluvelt were first etched into the British national consciousness. Bent and battered by the German storm, dressed in rags and short of food, equipment and ammunition, the regiments of the old professional army stood their ground against huge odds.When, on 11th November, they finally halted the Prussian Guards around Polygon Wood, virtually within sight of Ypres, they were reduced to one thin firing line. The BEF was at its last gasp, but it had inflicted a crushing defeat on the German army.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn the hundredth anniversary of the production of Sean O'Casey's Dublin plays at the Abbey Theatre, this timely book, Sean O'Casey: Political activist and writer situates O'Casey in the literary and political context of his time. It is written in an accessible style that will appeal to both a general and an academic readership. O'Casey has been widely acknowledged as one of Ireland's foremost dramatists. Drawing on archival material as well as a close reading of his drama, O'Brien examines the influence of the Young Ireland writers, Charles Stewart Parnell, The Gaelic League, and especially the Irish labour leader James Larkin on his development as a writer and a political activist. This book places O'Casey at the centre of Ireland's cultural and political history, charting his involvement in the shaping of modern Ireland, which is interwoven with a political and dramatic critique of post-independent Ireland and the wider world.O'Casey was one of the most political writers of his generation, constantly exploring the frontiers between literature and politics. Like his friend Bernard Shaw, he wrote for a purpose. His life reflects the history of the early twentieth century, a period shaped by two great ideas: nationalism and socialism. History and politics are woven into the fabric of his life and his drama.This book is an engaging and highly original account of one of the finest dramatists of the twentieth century, with a focus on the social and political movements that inspired his writing across the entire span of his career, challenging traditional interpretations that have focused almost exclusively on the three Dublin plays and the dramatic aspect of his life. By placing the working-class at the centre of his drama O'Casey gave a voice to those who are rarely heard: the poor, the dispossessed and the tenement-dweller, whose lives he shaped into works of art.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the first English translation of an important 17th century contention between two Irish clerics. The detail uncovered reveals much about Gaelic Irish culture and society at this turbulent period in Irish history. The two clerics, Antonius Bruodinus and Thomas Carve, present an image of Ireland that was split between native Gaelic and Old English culture and the influence of these two cultures on competing views about Ireland's past. The seventeenth century was a period of turmoil and upheaval in Ireland. The politics of religious identity were visceral, giving rise to controversies and bitter clashes. In 1671 the Irish Franciscan, Antonius Bruodinus (Antoin Mac Bruideadha; b. 1625, Clare - 7 May 1680 ?Prague), a former pupil of Luke Wadding in Rome, published Anatomicum Examen Enchiridii Apologetici, refuting the slanderous statements made by Fr Thomas Carve ('Carew', b. Tipperary, 1590; d.c. 1672), from a family of Old-English allegiance whose other work contains much of value on the Thirty Years War, he having been chaplain to Irish regiments in Europe. The intense exchange of views went to the core of many of the vexed controversies regarding identity, authority and legitimacy which characterised the debates of the time. This is the first time that one of the main works has been translated into English and treated to a detailed examination. In Culture, Contention and Identity in seventeenth century Ireland, the editors provide a helpful apparatus to guide the modern reader through a myriad of arguments and retorts by the two protagonists, which reveal much information about life and politics in seventeenth-century Ireland. The book, which provides a critical edition of the text with facing translation, sheds new light on the viewpoints of Gaelic-Irish and Old-English alike, as well as the impact of the Cromwellian invasion on the country. In translating this heated exchange between the two clerics we come closer to grasping some of the pressing issues troubling Ireland's population at the time. Much new detail can be harvested concerning the activities of learned Gaelic families, Irish marriage customs, place names and much else besides in seventeenth-century Ireland. The writings of these two clerics also provide a fascinating portrait of Irish clerics and their emigre networks at a time when the two traditions, which each claimed to represent - Gaelic-Irish and Old-English - were being supplanted by a different elite in Ireland, the New English.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOld troubles with remote origins persist in modern Spain, including huge public debts, extensive corruption, widespread unlawfulness, oligarchical politics, territorial splits, and permanent protests and riots. When did Spain screw up? The Spanish Frustration provides an interpretation of several important aspects of present-day Spain and its past stories. It argues that, in the long term, Spain missed the opportunity to become a consolidated modern nation-state because it was entangled in imperial adventures for several centuries when it should have been building a solid domestic basis for further endeavors. In short: a ruinous empire made a weak state, which built an incomplete nation, which sustains a minority democracy.Table of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction; 2. A Ruinous Empire; 3. A Weak State; 4. An Incomplete Nation; 5. A Minority Democracy; 6. Conclusion: Transitioning Outward; 7. Sources; Notes; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the first book on one of Wales’s greatest leaders, arguably ‘first prince of Wales’, Bleddyn ap Cynfyn. Bleddyn was at the heart of the tumultuous events that forged Britain in the cauldron of Norman aggression, and his reign offers an important new perspective on the events of 1066 and beyond. He was a leader who used alliances on the wider British scale as he strove to recreate the fledgling kingdom of Wales that had been built and ruled by his brother, though outside pressures and internal intrigues meant his successors would compete ultimately for a principality.Table of ContentsChapter one: The kingdoms uniteChapter two: Bleddyn's rise to powerChapter three: The new kingsChapter four: Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and NormansChapter five: Opportunity and disasterChapter six: The principalities divide

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn overview of the history of yachting in its social, cultural, political and economic contexts. Shortlisted for the Maritime Foundation's Mountbatten Award 2018 This book, by a leading expert in the field, is the first major history of yachting for over a quarter of a century. Setting developments within political,social and economic changes, the book tells the story of yachting from Elizabethan times to the present day: the first uses of yachts, by monarchs, especially Charles II; yacht clubs and yacht racing in the eighteenth century; the early years of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes and an analysis of the America Cup challenges; the pioneering developments in Ireland and the exporting of yachting to the colonies and trading outposts of the Empire; the expansion of yachting in Victorian times; the Golden Age of Yachting in the years before the First World War, when it was the sport of the crowned heads of Europe; the invention of the dinghy and the keelboat classes and, after the Second World War, the massive numbers of home-built dinghies; the breaking of new boundaries by risk-taking single-handers from the mid-1960s; the expansion of leisure sailing that came in the 1980s with the use of moulded plastic yachts; and current trends and pressures within the sport. Well-referenced yet highly readable, this book will be of interest both to the scholar and the sailing enthusiast. MIKE BENDER is an experienced yachtsman and qualified Ocean Yachtmaster, with some forty thousand miles, mostly singlehanded, under the keel. He is an Honorary Research Fellow in History at the University of Exeter.Trade ReviewLikely to remain a standard text on yachting for years to come. * CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HISTORY *A comprehensive study..The breadth and depth of A New History of Yachting alone would convince a sceptic of the historical importance of a leisure activity which has previously been overlooked by historians. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARITIME HISTORY A tremendously interesting and highly readable book - a marvellous addition to the bookshelf of any thinking sailor. * ROYAL CRUISING CLUB NEWSLETTER *A must-read for all sailing enthusiasts! -- JULIAN STOCKWIN, novelistTable of ContentsIntroduction Stirrings and Beginnings Restoration Yachting and its Purposes The Development of Yachting in the Eighteenth Century Part One: The Seaside Towns The Development of Yachting in the Eighteenth Century Part Two: Yachting in Boom Time London The Landed Gentry Take Up Yachting The Slow Expansion of Yaching in Britain, 1815-1865 The Development of Yachting in Ireland and the Colonies The Enthusiastic Adoption of Yachting by the Mercantile and Professional Classes after 1870 Part One: The New Men The Enthusiastic Adoption of Yachting by the Mercantile and Professional Classes after 1870 Part Two: A Philosophy of Yachting for the New Men The Golden Age of Yachting (1880-1900) Part One: The Rich The Golden Age of Yaching (1880-1900) Part Two: Small Boats and Women Sailors Between the Wars 1945-1965: Home-built Dinghies and Going Offshore Yachting's Third 'Golden Period': Of Heroes and Heroines; Of Families and Marinas (1965-1990) The Summer Before the Dark: Yachting in Post-Modern Times (1990-2007) After the Crash Epilogue: Fair Winds References

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe death of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey has baffled scholars and armchair detectives for centuries; this book offers compelling new evidence and, at last, a solution to the mystery. On a cold October afternoon in 1678, the Westminster justice of the peace Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey left his home in Charing Cross and never returned. Within hours of his disappearance, London was abuzz with rumours that the magistrate had been murdered by Catholics in retaliation for his investigation into a supposed 'Popish Plot' against the government. Five days later, speculation morphed into a moral panic after Godfrey's body was discovered in a ditch, impaled on his own sword in an apparent clumsily staged suicide. This book presents an anatomy of a conspiratorial crisis that shook the foundations of late Stuart England, eroding public faith in authority and official sources of information. Speculation about Godfrey's death dovetailed with suspicions about secret diplomacy at the court of Charles II, contributing to the emergence of a partisan press and an oppositional political culture in which the most fantastical claims were not only believable but plausible. Ultimately, conspiracy theories implicating the king's principal minister, his queen and his brother in Godfrey's murder stoked the passions and divisions that would culminate in the Exclusion Crisis, the most serious challenge to the British monarchy since the Civil War.Table of ContentsIntroduction. The Bottomless Pit: Conspiracy Theories & the Death of a Westminster JP Historical, political and conspiratorial perspectives Chapter summary 1. The Usual Suspects: the Case against the Catholics The English anti-Catholic conspiracist tradition Rumours, hearsay and the corpus delicti Accusers and accused 2. An Inside Job? The Earl of Danby and other Court Suspects A constitutional and conspiratorial crisis Thomas Osborne, earl of Danby An Anglican Plot? Israel Tonge's 'very honourable friends' Plots and counterplots: Danby in the Tower 3. 'The Devil in his Clothes': Suicide Theories, Then and Now Early suicide theories Roger L'Estrange's crime scene investigation 'Master of a dangerous secret ': Godfrey's mental state Spectral sightings: tracking Godfrey's last movements Ockham's razor? 4. 'Managery... behind the Curtain'? Oppositional Plots and Whig Lords True crime, false leads and tall tales Shaftesbury and subornation Whig suspects and oppositional secrets 5. 'Horrible Secrets...not for his Majesty's Service': William Lloyd's Shorthand The correspondence of Roger L'Estrange and William Lloyd Royal suspects and secrets 'Died Abner as a fool dieth '? What William Lloyd believed Conclusion. A Bipartisan Martyr? In Search of the Real Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey 'Keeping faire with boeth sides': Godfrey as critic, courtier, mediator and sleuth A plausible suspect: the secrets of 'a certain great man' A possible murder scenario Select Bibliography Index

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt was the divorce that scandalised Georgian England... She was a spirited young heiress. He was a handsome baronet with a promising career in government. Their marriage had the makings of a fairy tale but ended as one of the most salacious and highly publicised divorces in history.For over two hundred years the story of Lady Worsley, her vengeful husband, and her lover, George Maurice Bisset, lay forgotten. Now Hallie Rubenhold, in her impeccably researched book, throws open a window to a rarely seen view of Georgian England, one coloured by passion, adventure and the defiance of social convention. The Worsley's story, their struggles and outrageous lifestyle, promises to shock even the modern reader.Trade ReviewA fabulous story and Rubenhold tells it beautifully * Daily Telegraph *Hallie Rubenhold is in a league of her own. She keeps you glued to the very last page when, exhausted, exasperated and elated, you can at last put the book down and get yourself some sleep.... Nothing else in the genre is close to being this good * Literary Review *Deliciously lurid * Sunday Times *Hallie Rubenhold's account of the elopement is gripping but this is far more than an 18th-century bodice-ripper. Rubenhold combines narrative skill with historical expertise, and she traces the knife-edge that women walked between social success and public disgrace with subtlety and assurance * Spectator *A well-researched account... Highly diverting tale -- Caroline Miller * Daily Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLady Diana Cooper had been famous from her earliest youth, the subject of gossip and adoration as the queen of the 'Coterie', an exclusive high society set. Her marriage to Duff Cooper, a rising political star, and her career on the stage and in early silent films only increased her notoriety. Her second volume of autobiography chronicles these years in the run-up to the Second World War, and her adventures as an unconventional hostess, actress, wife and mother are told in typically fast-paced, witty and brilliant style.Trade ReviewThe second volume of Lady Diana Cooper'[s memoirs covers her life from 1923 to the outbreak of war in 1939. During those years she became a famous English personality, as a woman of prodigious beauty, as a remarkable actress and as the unconventional wife of a British statesman. * Spectator *Lady Diana was no ordinary upper-class English rose: She was perhaps the first person from such a background to go on the stage, wowing audiences on both sides of the Atlantic * Washington Times *She wrote three volumes of autobiography...books which are likely to hold their interest for a long time to come * The Times *Admired and adored as a classic beauty and first-division socialite during the frivolous Twenties and Thirties, Lady Diana was one of the last survivors of the set which revolved around the Prince of Wales and Mrs Simpson * The Times *One of the glittering social personalities of an era of wealth and privilege, combining as she did exceptional grace and beauty with verve and a nature of deep and intense feeling * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNorthamptonshire Archaeology, now MOLA Northampton, was commissioned by Opportunity Peterborough (Peterborough City Council) to undertake archaeological work ahead of an improvement scheme centred on Cathedral Square, the historic centre of Peterborough. The construction of two triangular arrays of fountains in the central part of Cathedral Square formed the core of the archaeological investigation, which was undertaken from November 2008 to August 2011. The archaeological work identified a succession of stone surfaces from the creation of the market square in the 12th century through to the 19th century. The cobbled surface of the original market square was overlaid by an accumulation of dark organic silts, containing finds dating through to the 16th century. At the start of the 15th century the parish church of St John the Baptist was constructed over the western half of the medieval market square with a cemetery immediately to the west of the church. Following the closure of this cemetery by the later 16th century, a small area of floor surfaces were the probable remains of a building, perhaps the Sexton’s house, at the north end of Butchers Row. On the south side of the market square there were the remains of a rectangular stone building, dated to the late 15th to 17th centuries, perhaps containing shops. Between this building and the church, a raised area of rubble was probably a remnant of the plinth for the recorded market cross. The late 17th century saw the construction of the still extant Guildhall to the east of the church. The raising of the ground level and resurfacing of the square was probably contemporary with the Guildhall. This would have involved the removal of all existing buildings on the south side of the square, as well as the removal of the market cross. In the late 18th or early 19th centuries the square was again raised and resurfaced, now with pitched limestone. Shallow gutters between the pavement and the road facilitated drainage. A surface of granite sets of the 19th-century survived in a few places below the late 20th-century slab pavement, which has now been replaced by the fountain development.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Historical background; 3. The Archaeology of Cathedral Square; 4. The finds and environmental evidence; 5. Discussion; Conclusions; Bibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn early Christianity it was established that every church should have a light burning on the altar at all times. In this unique study, Eternal light and earthly concerns, looks at the material and social consequences of maintaining these ‘eternal’ lights. It investigates how the cost of lighting was met across western Europe throughout the whole of the Middle Ages, revealing the social organisation that was built up around maintaining the lights in the belief that burning them reduced the time spent in Purgatory. When that belief collapsed in the Reformation the eternal lights were summarily extinguished. The history of the lights thus offers not only a new account of change in medieval Europe, but also a sustained examination of the relationship between materiality and belief.Trade Review‘[A] meticulously documented survey’.The Journal of Religious History‘Paul Fouracre’s new book is a breath of fresh air. It is a rare historical study that details the “material consequences of belief” in medieval Europe, combining cultural and religious history with a study of medieval economy, agrarian production and trade, and social organisation… To read Fouracre is to witness a master medievalist at work’. English Historical Review'[for] an intellectual historian, this book’s most valuable contribution is that it inspires us to consider the material consequences of the ideas we study, just as it asks economic historians to attend to how ideas and culture may affect production and exchange. Fouracre’s investigation provides a good example of both the potential and the limitations of such an undertaking and provides methodological models. As such, it should be read by everyone interested in the interplay of ideas and social and economic realities.'Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies volume 98, number 1 -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction1 Beginnings2 Consolidation of provision: elite practice3 Light and power: the ‘Carolingian moment’4 Lighting, lords and peasants in post-Carolingian Europe5 Lights and social formation in the central Middle Ages6 Lights in the later Middle Ages: from devotion to destructionConclusionsIndex

Read more less

Book Synopsis As one of the most influential ideas in modern European history, democracy has fundamentally reshaped not only the landscape of governance, but also social and political thought throughout the world. Democracy in Modern Europe surveys the conceptual history of democracy in modern Europe, from the Industrial Revolutions of the nineteenth century through both world wars and the rise of welfare states to the present era of the European Union. Exploring individual countries as well as regional dynamics, this volume comprises a tightly organized, comprehensive, and thoroughly up-to-date exploration of a foundational issue in European political and intellectual history.Table of Contents Introduction Jussi Kurunmäki, Jeppe Nevers and Henk te Velde Chapter 1. ‘Democracy’ from Book to Life: The Emergence of the Term in Active Political Debate, to 1848 Joanna Innes and Mark Philp Chapter 2. Democracy and the Strange Death of Mixed Government in the Nineteenth Century: Great Britain, France and the Netherlands Henk te Velde Chapter 3. Another ‘Sonderweg’? The Historical Semantics of ‘Democracy’ in Germany Jörn Leonhard Chapter 4. Birthplaces of Democracy: The Rhetoric of Democratic Tradition in Switzerland and Sweden Jussi Kurunmäki and Irène Herrmann Chapter 5. Concepts of Democracy from a Russian Perspective: Debates in the Late Imperial Period (1905–17) Benjamin Beuerle Chapter 6. A Conceptual History of Democracy in Spain since 1800 Javier Fernández-Sebastián and José María Rosales Chapter 7. The First World War, the Russian Revolution and Varieties of Democracy in Northwest European Debates Pasi Ihalainen Chapter 8. The Edges of Democracy: German, British and American Debates on the Dictatorial Challenges to Democracy in the Interwar Years Marcus Llanque Chapter 9. A Nation Allied with History: Czech Ideas of Democracy, 1890–1948 Peter Bugge Chapter 10. Democracy in Western Europe after 1945 Martin Conway Chapter 11. Political Participation and Democratization in the 1960s: The Concept of Participatory Democracy and its Repercussions Ingrid Gilcher-Holtey Chapter 12. Democracy and European Integration: A Transnational History of the Danish Debate Jeppe Nevers Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis By and large, the histories of East and West Germany have been studied in relative isolation. And yet, for all their differences, the historical trajectories of both nations were interrelated in complex ways, shaped by economic crises, social and cultural changes, protest movements, and other phenomena so diffuse that they could hardly be contained by the Iron Curtain. Accordingly, A History Shared and Divided offers a collective portrait of the two Germanies that is both broad and deep. It brings together comprehensive thematic surveys by specialists in social history, media, education, the environment, and similar topics to assemble a monumental account of both nations from the crises of the 1970s to—and beyond—the reunification era.Trade Review “…the range and rigour make this handbook a useful point of entry for specialists and students alike interested in understanding the transformation of Germany in the last half century.” • European History Quarterly “[The volume] provides over 500 pages of stimulating reading. It will be of interest to scholars researching in relevant fields and to graduate students embarking on doctoral work. It would also be excellent for a postgraduate seminar.” • Journal of European StudiesTable of Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction: Divided and Connected: Perspectives on German History since the 1970s Frank Bösch Chapter 1. Political Transformations in East and West Frank Bösch and Jens Gieseke Chapter 2. Economic Crises, Structural Change, and International Entanglements Ralf Ahrens and André Steiner Chapter 3. Entangled Ecologies: Outlines of a Green History of Two or More Germanys Frank Uekötter Chapter 4. Social Security, Social Inequality, and the Welfare State in East and West Germany Winfried Süß Chapter 5. Rationalization, Automation, and Digitalization: Transformations in Work Rüdiger Hachtmann Chapter 6. The Individualization of Everyday Life: Consumption, Domestic Culture, and Family Structures Christopher Neumaier and Andreas Ludwig Chapter 7. Paths to Digital Modernity: Computerization as Social Change Jürgen Danyel and Annette Schuhmann Chapter 8. Educational Rivalries: The Transition from a German-German Contest to an International Competition Emmanuel Droit and Wilfried Rudloff Chapter 9. Mobility and Migration in Divided Germany Maren Möhring Chapter 10. Sports and Society in the Rivalry between East and West Jutta Braun Chapter 11. Bridge over Troubled Water? Mass Media in Divided Germany Frank Bösch and Christoph Classen Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisOf all the tomes published on the centenary of the Russian Revolution, none will reckon with a key part of the story: what if the revolutionaries' dreams had come true, instead of being dashed? Yet, no tale of the Russian Revolution is complete without asking 'what if ...?' Lenin Lives! lays out a narrative account of how history might have happened differently if Lenin had lived long enough to see the global spread of the Russian Revolution to Western Europe and the USA. In one alternative world, instead of the grim authoritarian and autarkic states of the East, socialist revolution in the world's most advanced economies ushers in an era of global peace, progress and prosperity, with global federations substituting for nation-states and international organisations. In keeping with the hopes of European revolutionaries of the time, the early achievement of socialism leads to a drastic improvement in human progress, economic growth, democracy and freedom at the global level.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this gripping memoir, Eamonn Mallie takes us on an extraordinary journey through his life as a journalist in Northern Ireland. From the frontlines of the Troubles to the corridors of power, Mallie? s fearless reporting and unrelenting pursuit of the truth have made him a legendary figure in Irish journalism.Having gained unparalleled access to key players, Mallie shares his reflections on his groundbreaking interviews with John Hume, Gerry Adams, Margaret Thatcher, Ian Paisley, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and a host of other influential figures involved in the peace process.From adrenaline-fuelled moments on the ground to frank conversations with political heavyweights, Eyewitness to War and Peace is a captivating read that sheds new light on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the world of journalism in a divided society. An unflinching testament to the power of investigative reporting and the enduring pursuit of peace, this is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Northern Ireland? s troubled past and its hopeful future.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe volume is co-published by the Winchester Excavations Committee and forms Volume 11 of the Winchester Studies series.Following the success of volumes IV (Windsor and Eton) and V (York) in the series of Historic Towns Atlases, the new volume maps and explains the history of Winchester face=Calibri>– a city which has played such an important part in English history from Roman times onwards.Combining many full-colour maps with an authoritative but very readable text, the atlas shows how the Roman city of Venta Belgarum became the second-most important city in England for several centuries: a walled town, the seat of kings and an ecclesiastical centre almost unparalleled in the country, before gently declining into a judicial centre and county town.The Atlas is centred on a detailed map of the city at the scale of 1:2500, showing Winchester's historic buildings and structures on a map of the city as it was in 1800. A series of maps show how Winchester was at key points in its history, charting its development and changing shape. The Atlas includes an early OS map, modern maps and historic aerial photographs, as well as colour illustrations, many of which have never been published before.The introduction offers a full history of how and why Winchester developed from prehistoric times onwards, in a series of chapters written by historians but aimed at the general reader. It also includes a comprehensive reference gazetteer listing every place shown on the maps, with a map location, a brief history, and further reading for those interested in finding out more.Like its companion volumes, the maps, text, gazetteer and illustrations are presented in an A3 stiff card binder, and the format allows for maps of different date to be compared side-by-side.Trade ReviewThe maps and illustrations are fortified by nine brilliant essays. But to me the most valuable part of the Atlas, apart from the maps, is the gazeteer. * Oxford Recorder *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLenin's originality and importance as a revolutionary leader is most often associated with the seizure of power in 1917. But, Zizek argues in his new study and collection of original texts, Lenin's true greatness can be better grasped in the very last couple of years of his political life. Russia had survived foreign invasion, embargo and a terrifying civil war, as well as internal revolts such as at Kronstadt in 1921. But the new state was exhausted, isolated and disorientated in the face of the world revolution that seemed to be receding. New paths had to be sought, almost from scratch, for the Soviet state to survive and imagine some alternative route to the future. With his characteristic brio and provocative insight, Zizek suggests that Lenin's courage as a thinker can be found in his willingness to face this reality of retreat lucidly and frontally.Trade ReviewScience & Society -- Alan Shandro

Read more less

Book SynopsisRenowned presenter, author, and journalist William Hartston unveils the first mainstream history of humor in his latest book Knock, Knock: In Pursuit of a Grand Unified Theory of Humour. Packed with meticulous research and delightful anecdotes, this book presents a captivating journey through the enigmatic realm of laughter. Humor, an essential aspect of the human experience, has always evoked curiosity and perplexity. Why do familiar catchphrases trigger laughter while repeated jokes fall flat? What's the connection between humor and words containing the letter K? William Hartston ventures into uncharted territory, skillfully exploring the evolution of humor and our ever-shifting perceptions of it, as he embarks on a quest for a Grand Unified Theory of Humour. In this captivating exploration, Hartston delves into a multitude of topics, from the comedy of ancient Greece and the jests of ancient Rome, to the profound significance of laughter in biblical texts. Unearthing the secrets of comic delivery and unveiling how humor transformed in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the book also examines Mark Twain's profound impact on written comedy in the English-speaking world. No stone is left unturned as Hartston strives to comprehend the essence of what tickles our funny bones. Knock, Knock: In Pursuit of a Grand Unified Theory of Humour is a meticulously crafted and highly entertaining work that sheds light on the fascinating history of humor. With its insightful exploration and witty storytelling, this book promises to engage readers from all walks of life. As the perfect gift for those seeking laughter and knowledge, Hartston's latest masterpiece guarantees an unforgettable reading experience.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn an extended account of national identity, this companion volume to People, Places and Passions provides the first detailed study of the sexual and spiritual life of Wales in the period 1870–1945. The author argues that whilst Wales and its people experienced a disenchantment of the spiritual world, a revolution in sexual life was taking place. This innovative study examines how advances in life expectancy and improvements in health were reflected in emotional life. In contrast to the traditional emphasis upon hardship and hardscrabble experiences, this fascinating and beautifully written volume shows that the Welsh were also a free and fun-loving people.Table of Contents‘To begin at the beginning’: an introduction 1: ‘Dygŵyl y Meirwon’ (Festival of the Dead): death, transcendence and transience 2: The Citadel: pain, anxiety and wellbeing 3: Going Gently into that Good Night: desolation, dispiritedness and melancholy 4: Where, When, What Was Wales and who were the Welsh? contentment, disappointment and embarrassment 5: ‘The Way of all Flesh’: prudery, passion and perversion 6: Love in a Cold Climate: fidelity, friendship and fellowship 7: Religion and superstition: fear, foreboding and faith 8: The pursuit of pleasure: enthrallment, happiness and imagination Conclusion: A few selected exits.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLiverpool was a burgeoning trading centre and rapidly growing town in the early 18th century, developing into a thriving mercantile metropolis by the 19th century. The demand for new housing was high, and court housing largely filled that need. Court housing was a form of high-density back-to-back housing around courtyards. It provided homes to nearly half of Liverpool's working-class people by the mid 19th century. Contemporary descriptions highlight the cramped, dark and often damp conditions in these houses. This book uses a range of historical and archaeological evidence about courts to consider their development, life within them, and the measures eventually taken to rid Liverpool of them. This book considers courts and their impact on people's lives in Liverpool for over 250 years. This book features international parallels to courts as well as some of the people involved in investigating this type of housing, providing historical context to this fascinating aspect of Liverpool's past.Trade Review‘This is a well-conceived and executed addition to the scholarship of social conditions in Liverpool and deserves a wide readership.’ Nick Foggo, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire ‘This volume, written and formatted in an accessible style, and well and appropriately illustrated, is part of the current national revival in interest in workers’ housing of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. […] The volume deftly balances social and political details within a broader context, whilst demonstrating that this is a thoroughly researched piece of work.’ Mike Nevell, Vernacular Architecture

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor over twelve years in the first half of the nineteenth century, Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of Italian unification, lived, learned and fought in South America. He was tortured, escaped death on countless occasions, and met his Brazilian wife, Anita, who eloped with him in 1839. From then on, she would share in Garibaldi's personal and political odyssey, first in the breakaway republic of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, and then as Montevideo's admiral and general in the Uruguayan civil war. Richard Bourne breathes life and understanding into these spectacular South American adventures, which also shed light on the creation of Italy. Garibaldi's Redshirts liberated Sicily and Naples wearing ponchos adopted by his Italian Legion in Montevideo. His ideas, his charismatic command of volunteers, and his naive dislike of politicking were all infused by his earlier experiences in South America. Bourne combines historical research with his travels in Uruguay and southern Brazil to explore contemporary awareness of and reflection on how the past can influence or be transformed by the needs of today. Now, at a time of narrow identity politics, Garibaldi's unifying zeal and advocacy for subjugated peoples everywhere offer an exemplary lesson in transnational political idealism.Trade Review‘Bourne writes with attractive, straightforward enthusiasm … this is a useful history of Garibaldi’s unusual apprenticeship among the cowboys of South America.’ -- Literary Review'Offers a detailed account of Italian military general Garibaldi’s life, and how he later came to be known as a 'hero of two worlds'. …learned and informative.' -- The Wire‘Bourne succeeds in vividly describing what Garibaldi did during these formative years, what he learnt and brought back with him to Europe, what happened after he left South America and how he and Anita are remembered in South America and Italy.’ -- Cold Type'While chronicling Garibaldi's South American wars, this book analyses, in lively style, his reckless charisma, his marriage to the rebellious Anita and their controversial political legacies. Bourne reveals one of the most adventurous and inspiring characters of the nineteenth century.' -- David McLean, Emeritus Professor of History, King's College London'Bourne's personal, wide-ranging book illuminates Garibaldi's career as "Hero of Two Worlds": how he and fellow Italian exiles fought for freedom in South America, the impact on the struggle for Italian liberation, and Garibaldi's emergence as a European freedom fighter.' -- Spencer M. Di Scala, Professor of History Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Boston'Richard Bourne has written a vibrant book on General Garibaldi's stay in South America. Written with clarity and elegance, the author describes Garibaldi's life in Brazil and Uruguay and his participation in some important historical events that occurred in both countries during the XIX century. Then the author links the past with the present, in such a way that allows the reader to appreciate Garibaldi's legacy and makes very interesting reflections on the influence and controversies that Garibaldi still awakens in Brazil Uruguay.' -- Adjunct Professor Dr Enrique Hernandez Sierra, Faculty of Law, University of the Republic of Uruguay.

Read more less

Book SynopsisReporter Chang Frick grew up dark-haired in a nation of blonds. Ostracised as a child, in adulthood he set out to expose the hypocrisy of Swedish society. When he revealed the cover-up of mass sexual assaults on teen girls at a 2015 music festival, he provoked a chain reaction that rattled the nation. Sweden’s elites shirked responsibility and rushed to discredit him. Although Sweden boasts the world’s oldest free press, its history of homogeneity and social engineering has created a culture where few dare dissent from consensus, those who do are driven to extremes, and there is no place for outsiders—even those who conform. In this groundbreaking book, investigative journalist Kajsa Norman turns her fearless gaze on the oppressive forces at the heart of Sweden's 'model democracy'. Weaving the history of its social politics with the stories of Frick and other outcasts, Norman exposes the darkness in the Swedish soul.Trade Review‘Kajsa Norman’s account of Sweden’s real-life hypocrisy and contradictions is subtler and more gripping than any thriller. . . the author’s outrage bubbles from the page . . . [a] lucid and insightful book.' * The Times *‘This hard-hitting book is permeated by a deep sense of disillusionment . . . [Norman is] a powerful writer.’ * The Guardian *'Norman has turned a reporter’s gaze on her home country . . . [revealing] a conspiracy of silence by an establishment anxious not to lift the lid on the growing cultural tensions.' * The Financial Times *‘Richly informative . . . fascinating.’ * Literary Review *‘[Norman’s account of] the ongoing influence of the country’s totalitarian social democratic origins [is] interesting and original.’ -- Times Literary SupplementAs compelling as Swedish noir . . . [Norman’s] incisive study mesmerises, amazes, shocks.’ * The Hindu *‘Written in the best tradition of Stieg Larsson, but with the difference that everything here is real, Sweden’s Dark Soul vividly describes all that’s nasty about the welfare state, from racism and psychopathic bureaucracy to media cover-ups of atrocities against children.’ * The Telegraph India *Thought-provoking . . . Norman shows why it takes courage to speak the truth in a country with the world’s oldest free press . . . her book deserves our attention.’ * Acton Institute *'What happens to a society when national virtue-seeking becomes institutionalised, and the country's image and ideology become more important than its individuals? What happens to national debates when the media ceases to publish stories deemed too controversial? Sweden’s Dark Soul is not a comfortable read, but it is an important one.' * Sigrid Rausing, publisher and editor of Granta *'[Kajsa Norman offers] fresh perspectives on what the world is really like.' * Henning Mankell, social critic and author *Sweden is often held up as a thriving, rich democracy that other nations aspire to replicate. Weaving together history with fascinating personal narratives, Kajsa Norman shines a light into the hidden darkness lurking at the edges of Swedish society and the oppressive groupthink that threatens to eclipse its enduring brightness. * Brian Klaas, University College London, author of 'The Despot’s Apprentice' *Praise for the author: ‘[Kajsa Norman offers] fresh perspectives on what the world is really like.’ — Henning Mankell, social critic and author

Read more less

Book SynopsisStalin's USSR and Hitler's Reich-- the populations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had been subjected to a brutal Soviet occupation in 1940, Nazi invasion in 1941, and Soviet re-occupation in 1944, falsely branded as 'liberation'. Variously labelled 'freedom fighters' or 'Nazi bandits' by historians, the Baltic partisans who would become known as the Forest Brothers fought a long campaign against occupation that eventually failed under the might of the USSR. Much of this history of armed resistance, which was also a front in the intelligence war between East and West, is little known outside the region. Treachery, betrayal, heroism and lost futures all play a role in this fascinating tale, as Dan Kaszeta explores themes of independence, nationalism, Baltic identity, the fluidity of boundaries in Eastern Europe, and the comparative weight of Nazi and Soviet oppression. Drawing on extensive archival material rarely seen outside the Baltic states, 'The Forest Brotherhood' unpacks the forgotten story of this resistance movement, and reveals its continuing impact on today's world.Trade Review'A much-needed history of the anti-Soviet partisan war in the Baltic States. Dispassionate, clear and forthright in his assessments, Kaszeta's book offers a broader understanding of how the brutality and crimes of Soviet and Russian occupation spawns the kind of fierce resistance we see today in Ukraine.' -- Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia'A well-judged and well-written history of the often-overlooked but vitally important story about the part of modern Europe caught between totalitarian communist Russia and totalitarian Nazi Germany. Kaszeta brilliantly sets out the facts and their contemporary significance.' -- The Rt Hon Charles Clarke, former MP and editor of 'Understanding the Baltic States''Kaszeta's well-researched, insightful and sympathetic book casts overdue light on this gripping story of bravery and betrayal.' -- Edward Lucas, author, security specialist and Times columnist'Kaszeta rescues the fascinating and harrowing story of the Baltic resistance to post-war Soviet occupation from the footnotes of history and from the nefarious distortions of communist propaganda. This is a story that needs to be told and is all the more pertinent in the light of Russia's recent aggression against Ukraine. Highly recommended.' -- Roger Moorhouse, historian and author of 'The Devils' Alliance' and 'First to Fight''Illuminating a little-known chapter in Baltic and European history, this is a story of not just political activism and armed struggle, but of human resistance in face of overwhelming odds.' -- Mart Kuldkepp, Associate Professor of Scandinavian History and Politics, University College London

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe assassination in Istanbul in 2007 of the author Hrant Dink, the high-profile advocate of Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, reignited the debate in Turkey on the annihilation of the Ottoman Armenians. Many Turks subsequently reawakened to their Armenian heritage, in the process reflecting on how their grandparents were forcibly Islamised and Turkified, and the suffering they endured to keep their stories secret. There was public debate about Armenian property confiscated by the Turkish state and books were published about the extermination of the minorities. The silence had been broken. After the First World War, Turkey forcibly erased the memory of the atrocities, and traces of Armenians, from their historic lands, to which the international community turned a blind eye. The price for this amnesia was, Cheterian argues, 'a century of genocide'.Turkish intellectuals acknowledge the price a society must pay collectively to forget such traumatic events, and that Turkey cannot solve its recurrent conflicts with its minorities - like the Kurds today - nor have an open and democratic society without addressing its original sin: the Armenian Genocide, on which the Republic was founded.Trade Review'Cheterian's straightforward historical account does not shy away from a more disturbing aspect of the genocide's legacy where the quest for justice denied over generations spills over into the violence of reprisals, revenge, and terrorism' * LA Review of Books *‘Open Wounds provides a comprehensive insight into many relevant issues with regard to the consequences of denial for Armenians and other minorities such as the Kurds . . . an impressive account of how survivors and successive generations resisted erasure through Armenian historiography, memory politics and the composition and evolution of the diaspora’.'Cheterian's book offers one of the most complete tellings of the twisted, emotional story of the decimation of 1.5 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey in 1915, during the fury of World War I and the story of the political struggle over the massacre in the century since it occurred.' * Foreign Affairs *'In this extraordinary and beautifully-written book, Cheterian tells us the little known story of the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. He reaches into the history and present-day politics of Armenians and Turks to tell a story and provide explanations that have been neglected or elided by others. There is no other text like this.' * Ronald G. Suny, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and History, University of Chicago and former chairman of the Society for Armenian Studies *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDes Ekin embarks on a roadtrip around the entire coast of Ireland, in search of our piratical heritage, uncovering an amazing history of swashbuckling bandits, both Irish-born and imported.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNearly 2,000 people gave detailed statements to the Bureau of Military History between 1947 and 1957 about their role in Ireland's fight for freedom. The statements are the recollections of many of those who participated in the 1916 Easter Rising and the War of Independence, 1919-1921. Recently released to scholars and researchers, they allow a much broader view of what actually happened in the fateful decade that led to independence from the British Empire. They offer a remarkable window into a tumultuous era in Ireland’s modern history when men and women rose up against British rule and demanded independence. The statements examined in the book reflect the views of republican men and women from all facets of society. They were urban and rural dwellers middle and working-class individuals, farmers, labourers and professionals, all of whom, came together in the pursuit of one common goal. Their statements confirm the commitment they gave to the independence cause and are testaments to the courage and determination they displayed in their efforts to achieve a free and independent Ireland. Eamonn Duggan explores the individual contributions of these remarkable people, and what they add to the history we thought we knew. A fascinating view of a vital period in Irish history, from 1913 to Independence.Trade ReviewIn the spirit of Antony Beevor and Max Hastings … practically every page of this book contains some fascinating detail … it is a penetrating insight into the human reality of this tumultuous period, and of the bravery of ordinary men and women who fought for the cause of Irish freedom * Tuam Herald *beautifully produced … In the book Duggan brings the reader many stories of unsung heroes, tragedy and raw courage, incredible inventiveness and resourcefulness … a collection of wonderful stories from an era which continues to enthral and engage those of us who are interested in Ireland's modern history. * Ireland’s Own *beautifully produced … In the book Duggan brings the reader many stories of unsung heroes, tragedy and raw courage, incredible inventiveness and resourcefulness … a collection of wonderful stories from an era which continues to enthral and engage those of us who are interested in Ireland's modern history * Ireland’s Own *fascinating * Irish Roots *we get wonderful insights into the involvement of different men and women but [it’s] not just the great and the good and the heroic figures [who] are the ones who are dominating the events, these are very much ordinary men and women who lived their normal lives but got caught up in some extraordinary activities … incredible collection of stories and anecdotes and insights into the revolutionary decade -- Newstalk's Talking HistoryAn overview of the revolutionary decade drawn from the Witness Statements archive is revealed in Eamonn Duggan’s We Go Into Action Today at Noon... Seventeen chapters provide invaluable recollections of the organisation of battalions and flying columns, procuring arms and ammunition, spying and intelligence work, and other subjects. Those interviews were carried out by the Bureau of Military History from 1947-57, covering the period of the Easter Rising up to the War of Independence. The statements are a comprehensive roadmap of the decade and capture significant stories from not only the men but also the women who joined Cumann na mBan. They paint a portrait of who took part in military operations across the country shedding light on the political manoeuvres and wider thinking in republican circles. Stirring accounts of the Rising include those of Michael Staines, Quartermaster General of the Irish Volunteers from 1913-16 who was in the GPO. And from Monsignor Michael Curran - secretary to the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walsh - who kept a personal dairy of the fast-moving events and was a witness to shootings and lootings -- Irish TimesTable of ContentsIntroduction page 9 Chapter 1 The Witness Statements Archive 17 Chapter 2 The Truth About the Rising 21 Chapter 3 Cork Awaits the Call to Arms 30 Chapter 4 An Influential Monsignor 37 Chapter 5 The Curious Tale of 198 Parnell Street 52 Chapter 6 Procuring Arms and Gathering Intelligence 59 Chapter 7 Tipperary Republicans Lead the Way 68 Chapter 8 Ambushes and Attacks in the Rebel County 80 Chapter 9 The Brave Republican Women 93 Chapter 10 Father Aloysius: Chaplain to the Republican Heroes 104 Chapter 11 Frank Thornton: An Extraordinary Life in Irish Republicanism 117 Chapter 12 Vincent Byrne: Committed to the Republic and the Squad 135 Chapter 13 Seán Moylan: Committed Republican and Outstanding Military Leader 156 Chapter 14 Tadhg Kennedy: A Proud Kerryman and a True Patriot 183 Chapter 15 Eamon (Ned) Broy: An Extraordinary Policeman and Courageous Republican 199 Chapter 16 Cumann na mBan: The Unsung Heroines of the War of Independence 217 Chapter 17 Áine Ceannt: The Quintessential Republican Woman 231 Postscript: The Legacy of the Civil War and the Road to Recovery 246

Read more less

Book SynopsisStretching from Dublin right through the Midlands and west to the mighty Shannon, the Grand Canal was a stunning feat of engineering in the eighteenth century, vital for Ireland?s trade and industry.Over two centuries later, the canal has a new life as a walking and cycling trail. Visitors can step back in time, enjoying the peace and quiet of yesteryear while discovering quirky humpbacked bridges and ivy-covered warehouses, in a landscape far removed from modern pressures.Jo Kerrigan examines the history, life and lore of the waterway over the centuries, while master photographer Richard Mills offers gorgeous images of its elegant locks and bridges, and the wildflowers, animals and birds found along its leafy banks.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA meticulous, compellingly readable reconstruction of those three summer days that ignited the civil war – the defining event of modern Irish politics. The Irish Civil War began at around four o'clock in the morning on June 28, 1922. An 18-pounder artillery piece began to fire on the thick granite walls of the Four Courts – a beautiful eighteenth-century complex of buildings that housed Ireland's highest legal tribunals. Inside the courts a large party of IRA men were barricaded – a clear sign that the treaty ending the war of independence would never be accepted by passionate republicans. After three days of fighting, with the buildings in ruins, the garrison surrendered. But the Four Courts also housed Ireland's historical archives, and these irreplaceable documents were destroyed, with burnt paper raining down over the city. This was a cultural disaster for the new state and its historical memory. Michael Fewer has a sure command of the political and military history of those years, and a mastery of the architectural and technological aspects of the battle. His recreation of this tragic episode is an intimate, detailed and essential addition to the literature of the Irish Revolution.Trade ReviewA compelling blend of political and military history places the reader at the heart of the action and leaves them wanting more * Irish Independent *An excellent addition to the literature surrounding a traumatic period in Irish history * Munster Express *The whole story, nearly a century old now, loses none of its mesmerising power in Michael Fewer's hands. We put his book down all the wiser, all the sadder * Catholic Herald *A fascinating blend of political, military and architectural history, this book places the reader in media res in the company of a large dramatis personae * Irish Times *

Read more less