Charles Stewart Parnell
by F. S. L. Lyons
On This Page
Description
If Daniel O'Connell first articulated modern Irish nationalism, Parnell first organised it. This enigmatic, icy aristocrat became the unlikely and unchallenged leader of Irish nationalism in its early heroic phase. Without him, Home Rule would not have become the formidable cause that it was. Parnell not only mobilised nationalist Ireland, exploiting discontent with the land system and a desire for political autonomy, he also subverted the usages of nineteenth-century British politics by show more introducing the filibuster into the House of Commons, by dividing Gladstone's Liberal party between those who supported Home Rule and those who opposed it, and generally forced the Irish question to the heart of British politics where it remained until 1922. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
nessreader Phineas Finn, the parliamentary fiction about the struggles of an Irish MP in Westminster, was written before Parnell the member for Meath came to prominence, but Trollope's abiding fascination for politics and society makes it engrossing background reading on the culture Parnell was experiencing. The real Parnell stirred nations before he was destroyed while the fictional Finn sinks into mediocrity, but their situations are parallel in being Irishmen in an Englis world.
Member Reviews
1517 Charles Stewart Parnell, by F. S. L. Lyons (read 20 May 1979) On Oct 22, 1974, I read a biography of Parnell, much more popularized a study than is this book, and was bowled over by the great interest I found in his life and career. I knew this would be a great book, because I have read Lyons' Ireland Since the Famine. I was in no way disappointed . The book is excellently organized, well-researched, has an excellent attitude to the Church, and is easily one of the best books I've read this year. The study of British parliamentary history has always fascinated me, and this book abounds in that. I found I was not as sympathetic to Parnell, and I felt I could definitely be anti-Parnell in the days after the divorce, in 1891. It is a show more great story, and I really reveled in it. Irish history is really something that fascinates me. I wish I could leave for Ireland tomorrow, and visit the scenes in the book: Avondale (Parnell's home), his grave at Glasnevin, Parnell Square. Whenever I find a good book on Ireland I shall want to read it. show less
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
12 Works 408 Members
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Charles Stewart Parnell
- Important places
- Ireland
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, History, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction, Politics and Government
- DDC/MDS
- 941.5081 — History & geography History of Europe British Isles Ireland
- LCC
- DA958 .P2 .L89 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Great Britain History of Great Britain Ireland Modern, 1603- 19th-20th centuries. Irish question
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 98
- Popularity
- 328,026
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.58)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 3
