Irish History For Dummies
by Mike Cronin
for Dummies History, Biography & Politics, for Dummies Education, for Dummies
On This Page
Description
From Norman invaders, religious wars-and the struggle for independence-the fascinating, turbulent history of a tortured nation and its gifted people When Shakespeare referred to England as a "jewel set in a silver sea," he could just as well have been speaking of Ireland. Not only has its luminous green landscape been the backdrop for bloody Catholic/Protestant conflict and a devastating famine, Ireland's great voices-like Joyce and Yeats-are now indelibly part of world literature. In Irish show more History For Dummies, readers will not only get a bird's-eye view of key historical events (Ten Turning Points) but, also, a detailed, chapter-by-chapter timeline of Irish history beginning with the first Stone Age farmers to the recent rise and fall of the Celtic tiger economy. In the informal, friendly For Dummies style, the book details historic highs like building an Irish Free State in the 1920s-and devastating lows (including the Troubles in the '60s and '70s), as well as key figures (like MP Charles Parnell and President Eamon de Valera) central to the cause of Irish nationalism. The book also details historic artifacts, offbeat places, and little-known facts key to the life of Ireland past and present. - Includes Ten Major Documents-including the Confession of St. Patrick, The Book of Kells, the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, and Ulysses - Lists Ten Things the Irish Have Given the World-including Irish coffee, U.S. Presidents, the submarine, shorthand writing, and the hypodermic syringe - Details Ten Great Irish Places to Visit-including Cobh, Irish National Stud and Museum, Giants Causeway, and Derry - Includes an online cheat sheet that gives readers a robust and expanded quick reference guide to relevant dates and historical figures - Includes a Who's Who in Irish History section on With a light-hearted touch, this informative guide sheds light on how this ancient land has survived wars, invasions, uprisings, and emigration to forge a unique nation, renowned the world over for its superb literature, music, and indomitable spirit. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I think this was a really good book for someone who knew nothing about Irish history (that someone was me). I had absolutely no knowledge of any of it and now feel I have a general overview of the pre-colonization period, the colonization period, and the 20th century. (My edition from the library ended in 2005 so I need to find another source for the last 20 years.) I knew there was conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants but had no concept of the centuries of colonial subjugation, unequal treatment under the law, unequal right to property, and confiscation of property experienced by the Irish. The two distinct societies reminded me of the American South Jim Crow era, without the constant violence, but with similar class show more structure, impoverishment, and lack of opportunity. The lack of education seems almost worse. show less
Ghastly mash up of anecdotal history, April 28, 2010
By Amy E. Henry (Nipomo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Irish History For Dummies (Paperback)
This was a subtext used in an anthropology class, and it is incredibly useless. There is no cohesive theme or element in the text: it jumps around in a flippant, jokey, childish tone (even cartoons) that minimizes the importance and relevance of what should be socially urgent information.
Time periods jumble around, the jargon is dumbed down to elementary school level, and too much attention is paid to small events rather than the pattern of the whole history.
Additionally, something is said by what is left out: only one obscure reference to the IRA? No discussion show more of "official" vs. "provisional" IRA? Minimal info on Ian Paisley, Michael Collins, the abstention policy,and the Ballymurphy Riots?
Incredibly disappointing and potentially dangerous... show less
By Amy E. Henry (Nipomo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Irish History For Dummies (Paperback)
This was a subtext used in an anthropology class, and it is incredibly useless. There is no cohesive theme or element in the text: it jumps around in a flippant, jokey, childish tone (even cartoons) that minimizes the importance and relevance of what should be socially urgent information.
Time periods jumble around, the jargon is dumbed down to elementary school level, and too much attention is paid to small events rather than the pattern of the whole history.
Additionally, something is said by what is left out: only one obscure reference to the IRA? No discussion show more of "official" vs. "provisional" IRA? Minimal info on Ian Paisley, Michael Collins, the abstention policy,and the Ballymurphy Riots?
Incredibly disappointing and potentially dangerous... show less
Die erfolgreiche Reihe "...für Dummies" wendet sich mit diesem Band einem historischen Thema zu. Kann das gut gehen? Umfangreiche Darstellungen mit zahlreichen eingefügten Textboxen und Zusammenfassungen und der bekannt "lockere" Ton?
Es klappt. An manchen Stellen stört mich der "lockere" Ton doch etwas. Aber der ist wohl dem Zeitgeist zuzuschreiben. Was wirklich fehlt sind Abbildungen. Doch die passen nicht in das Verlagskonzept.
Es klappt. An manchen Stellen stört mich der "lockere" Ton doch etwas. Aber der ist wohl dem Zeitgeist zuzuschreiben. Was wirklich fehlt sind Abbildungen. Doch die passen nicht in das Verlagskonzept.
Jul 28, 2010German
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
15 Works 365 Members
Mike Cronin is Senior Research Fellow in History at De Montfort University, Leicester.
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Irish History For Dummies
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 123
- Popularity
- 263,844
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.19)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 5
