Description
Book SynopsisThe groundbreaking two-term President of Ireland tells the stories of her life
When a young Mary McAleese told a priest that she planned to become a lawyer, the priest dismissed the idea: she knew no one in the law, and she was female. The reality of what she went on to achieve - despite those obstacles, and despite a sectarian attack that forced her family to flee their home - is even more improbable.
In this luminous memoir, Mary McAleese traces that astonishing arc: from the tight streets of north Belfast, to a professorship in Dublin while still in her twenties, behind-the-scenes work on the peace process, and two triumphant terms as President of Ireland. She writes of her encounters with prime ministers, popes and royalty with the same easy candour and intimacy with which she describes her childhood. And her account of the latest act in her remarkable career - quietly pursuing a doctorate, and loudly opposing the misogyny of the Catholic Church - is inspiring.
Here''s the Story is warm, witty, often surprising and relentlessly fascinating: an extraordinarily intimate memoir by one of the most remarkable public figures of our time.
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''A fascinating story and well worth the read'' Irish Times
''Riveting ... A fiercely urgent reminder to the world - and the Government - that peace must never be sacrificed for politics'' Telegraph
''Excellent'' Matt Cooper, Irish Daily Mail
''I was enthralled and absorbed by this memoir'' Sunday Independent
''What an incredible life lived by an outstanding role model. I ate this book up'' Sinéad Moriarty
''Full of conviction and isn''t afraid of plain speaking ... Priests, popes, paramilitaries and Ian Paisley are all held to account'' Herald Scotland
''[A] chatty, provocative and embraceable biography'' RTÉ Guide
Trade ReviewA fascinating story and well worth the read * Irish Times *
Riveting ... A fiercely urgent reminder to the world - and the Government - that peace must never be sacrificed for politics * Telegraph *
I was
enthralled and absorbed by this memoir ...
Riveting -- Mary O'Rourke * Sunday Independent *
Artful, entertaining and often enlightening - one of the few memoirs by a senior Irish office-holder that's actually worth reading * Sunday Times *
What an
incredible life lived by an
outstanding role model.
I ate this book up -- Sinéad Moriarty
A meticulously researched and recorded history of the past half-century in Ireland and
the story of a life passionately committed to working for peace * TLS *
Full of conviction and isn't afraid of plain speaking ...
Priests, popes, paramilitaries and Ian Paisley are all held to account * Herald Scotland *
[A]
chatty, provocative and embraceable biography * RTÉ Guide *
Excellent -- Matt Cooper * Irish Daily Mail *
Compelling ...
Displays many of the qualities that made her such a popular president * Business Post *
A warm and witty insight into an extraordinary woman * Irish Daily Mail *
An immensely readable effort from that rarest of figures - a politician you actually like and admire * Hot Press *
