1921: The Great Novel of the Irish Civil War (Irish Century)

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Do your homework

1921 is a Masterful Novel, a Must for Those Who Love History

Llywelyn offers up a compelling history but little else

Kid Gloves

a synonym for deceit is the british smile

1921: The Great Novel of the Irish Civil War (Irish Century)
Morgan Llywelyn
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Lion of Ireland (Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn)

ASIN: 0812570790

Book Description

The Irish fight for independence is one of the most captivating tales of the twentieth century. Morgan Llywelyn, the acclaimed historical writer of books like Lion of Ireland, Bard and The Horse Goddess, is the writer born to bring this epic battle to life. Having created an entire body of work chronicling the Celts and Ireland, she now turns to recent Irish history to create a multivolume saga: The Irish Century.1921 tells the story of the Irish War of Independence and the heartbreaking civil war that followed. Henry Mooney, a reporter for theClare Champion and the Irish Bulletin, is a self-described "moderate nationalist" who struggles to see the truth in the news of the day, and to report it fairly. Lacking more radical Republican beliefs of his dear friends Ned Halloran and Sile Duffy, Henry reports the political--and later, bloody--actions of his fellow Irishman from the ashes of the failed 1916 Rising to the creation of the Irish Free State to the tragic and wide-ranging battles of the Irish Civil War.Meanwhile, Henry feels the impact of these history-changing events in his own personal life. His friendship with Ned falters when their political beliefs diverge, and an unexpected tragedy leaves them further apart than ever. Henry struggles with his passion for a well-bred Protestant Anglo-Irish woman, Ella Rutledge, and as he dutifully reports the events in the political battle for independence, he comes to realize that the Irish struggle for freedom wil leave no life untouched--and no Irish citizen with a dry eye or an untroubled heart.

Customer Reviews:

Do your homework .......2006-02-09

Over all a pretty good book. I just watched the film Michael Collins and I wanted to read a book about the same subject so I checked out 1916 and 1921. Llywelyn does an quality job of making history come alive but there were several errors that almost ruined the book for me. In the list of characters she writes that the Wolfe Tone the Irish revolutionary died in 1828 when in fact he slit his throat in 1798 after the failed uprising. Is this a mistake on her part or merely a typo? She also wrote that during the Boer War the Boers raised an army from among the native South Africans. If she meant whites born in South Africa this is true. If she meant blacks then this is completly false. The Boers would have fit in with the KKK and would never have fought alongside "kaffirs". I know these points seem trivial but they made me feel uncomfortable reading the book. I wonder if these facts are wrong what other mistakes did I miss?

1921 is a Masterful Novel, a Must for Those Who Love History.......2005-12-02

This book, along with 1916, tells the story of Ireland from 1916 through 1921 as well as anyone ever could. It is a story of love and passion for a country and its people. Morgan Llywelyn in on target with her depiction of the beginnings of the Irish Republican Army, the true army of the fledgeling Irish Republic. Often, historical novels take liberties with fact and emphasize characters over content. Ms. Llywelyn is an exception. She uses her richly developed characters to tell the true story of Ireland as it brought Britain to its knees. As somewhat of a scholar of Irish history myself, I looked for but found little or no distortions of historical fact. The depiction of the Black and Tans and their role in the murder of Sile was true to fact. Such murders happened all too often. Morgan Llywelyn is the mistress of Irish historical fiction, and a scholar herself of the History of a noble people.

Llywelyn offers up a compelling history but little else.......2004-03-30

Morgan Llywelyn has made a franchise out of Irish history and mythology, providing fictionalized accounts of many major events and figures. "1921" continues in this vein, another painstaking blend of history and fiction.

Llywelyn picks up almost where her prequel "1916" left off and follows the Irish struggle for total independence from the United Kingdom. Told from the perspective of newspaper reporter Henry Mooney, Llywelyn gives an insider's view of the efforts to secure an Irish Free State. She does well characterizing historical figures such as the enigmatic Eamon de Valera and the complicated, charismatic Michael Collins, but where she falters is in her original creations. The same cliches that plagued "1916" abound in "1921"--the plucky Irish speak in cadences heard more often in Hollywood than Limerick and the fictional subplots quickly devolve into predictable melodrama.

Henry Mooney is a bit of a wet blanket hiding behind a byline, which he uses to spread anti-British sentiment without taking arms. His good friend, Ned Halloran (who was the focus of "1916") becomes deeply involved in the IRA, encouraged by his wife Sile Duffy, a red-haired stereotype of the fiery Irish woman. Henry's wooing of the rich Anglo-Irish widow Ella Rutledge is a meandering, ultimately unsatisfying distraction, and the cloyingly precocious, one-dimensional Ursula "Precious" Halloran, Ned and Sile's adopted daughter, does little more than annoy. Making Henry Mooney the eyewitness to history is quite helpful, if a bit coincidental, but the subplots involving these characters add little to the novel.

Llywelyn sprinkles the book with carefully-footnoted Irish slang and expressions as well as historical citations, perhaps to establish her credibility, a gesture that seems a bit excessive. Llywelyn has already shown her gifts as an historian. Her meticulous recreation helps clarify a dense, complex chain of events. Where she needs help is in the writing itself. When not recreating history, Llywelyn seems out of her depth.

Anyone who seeks a narrative-driven account of the Irish fight for independence will likely find this book informative and enjoyable. Those expecting Llywelyn to create a work that is as poetic and artful as it is exhaustively researched will probably be disappointed.

Kid Gloves.......2004-03-04

I am extremely impressed with the condition of this book. I did not expect to receive a book of this age in such great shape. I am not sure if I want to read it for fear of turning it into a used book. The book arrived very soon after ordering...not the standard fare. Packed with care, the book arrived beautifully.

a synonym for deceit is the british smile.......2003-07-22

Another tremendous novel by Morgan , and one of her finest attribures is the linkage of historical fact with the the ethos
of the ungoing fight for freedom for Ireland , and the Irish. For
me, the best part is the overlap, or rather underlying mesh of the works of other artists, by this i mean Joyce and Yeats. This book serves as a valuable document for sources not widely read nor available . Im reading 1949 now to continue and expand my knowledge of those who fought with Collins , and later fought each other for establishment of the Republic against insurmountable odds, and against the will of an empire and a legacy of oppression that still remains an eyesore in the history of modern mankind.

Politics and War in the Three Stuart Kingdoms, 1637-49 (British History in Perspective)

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Politics and War in the Three Stuart Kingdoms, 1637-49 (British History in Perspective)
David Scott
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0333658736

Book Description

The 1640s were one of the most exciting and bloody decades in British and Irish history. This book interweaves the narrative threads in each theater of conflict to provide an "holistic" account and analysis of the wars in and between England, Scotland, and Ireland from the Covenanter Rebellion to the execution of Charles I. Using a wide range of original and secondary sources, the author offers a challenging new interpretation of political structure and dynamics in the warring Stuart kingdoms.

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marvelous!

Women All on Fire
Alison Plowden
Manufacturer: Sutton Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0750925523

Book Description

This book offers a first-hand account of the heroic women who played an active part in the war between King and Parliament in the 17th century. The Royalists include Queen Henrietta Maria, who fled abroad with some of the Crown jewels to raise money and Mary Banks, wife of the King's Privy Councilor, who defended Corge Castle during an epic three-month siege, forcing the storming Roundheads to withdraw by heaving hot embers over the battlements. On the opposing side, there is Puritan Lady Brilliana Harley, who reveals her constant fear as she guarded Brampton Bryan Castle. Anne Fairfax, wife of Cromwell's northern General, who was taken prisoner after the battle of Adwalton Moor near Leeds and a classic account of the war from a Puritan's view by Lucy Hutchinson, wife of the Governor of Nottingham.

Customer Reviews:

marvelous!.......2002-06-19

A wonderful book, brimming with the fiery personalities of women long dead. Plowden's purpose in this book is not to give an overview of the English civil war (don't buy the book if that's what you need), but to show how women participated. She does this by giving specific examples from the lives of Queen Henrietta Maria, Ann Fanshawe, Charlotte Stanley, Mary Verney, Jane Lane, Mary Banks, Brilliana Harley, Anne Fairfax, and many more. Plowden draws her information primarily from letters, many of them between husbands and wives. While her focus is on the women, she does not hesitate to bring out the strengths and weaknesses of their husbands, and she shows the warmth and devotion of these 17th century couples with an intensity that makes their relationships seem enviable.

One caution: this is a very specific book about a specific subject. If you know nothing about the English civil war, you may be a tad confused. If you're interested enough, you'll still enjoy the book, but you'll enjoy it more if you already have at least a skeletal knowledge of the history and the major players.

Book Description

Of all the units that fought in the Civil War, the Irish Brigade seems to be the most recognized. Comprised of troops from New York who were mostly Irish-Catholics, this unit proved itself in some of the most important battles of the war. A principal player in this unit was the chaplin, Father William Corby. Through his devotions and his willingness to be ever-present at the encampments, as well as at the front, the souls of the Irish Brigade were always cared for. A combination biography, history of the Irish Brigade, day-to-day look into the lives of Civil War soldiers, and reflection on the Catholic faith, this book is wonderfully written in Corby's own words. All the aspects of his life come together here. Recommended for public and academic libraries.

Customer Reviews:

An Interesting Narrative.......2003-09-16

I truly enjoyed the book Memoirs of Chaplain Life by William Corby. Father William Corby, a Catholic, served as a chaplain to the Irish Brigade in the Army of the Potomac. Corby relates the many trials and dangers that he suffers over his three years of service. He tells the stories of narrow escapes from the enemy fire. He ministers to the men, "hears their confession," and often dose duties not required by his being chaplain. The book gives an interesting look into the religious life, as well as everyday camp life in a Civil War Army. I will say that the book is hard to get through, but it is worth the time to read. Father Corby is an interesting character.

A valuable Civil War memoir.......2000-06-01

Father Corby's Irish Brigade memoir provides a very valuable and interesting record of the Civil War. His testimony gives the reader a first-hand account of life in the Church and in the Army.

In some sections, the memoir is not terribly exciting; it is for the history buff who wants to know more than which general won a given battle. The book tells of the great and small trials of army life. Its value comes from the author's testimony about the lives of the soldiers and their experiences.

The book will best suit those who possess a knowledge of the war, as Father Corby's passing mention of campaigns and generals' names will be lost on the uninitiated.

Book Description

The years 1642 to 1651 were one of the bloodiest and most important periods in British history, as a series of civil wars brought backers of monarchy into death-struggle against supporters of a parliament. Follow the armies of Charles the First against those of Oliver Cromwell. Witness the only British king ever executed. Over 300 photos, 100 in color, offer authentic reconstructions of decisive battles, with complete details about winning commanders, tactics, and weapons.

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Full consideration of a complex historical event
Kenny really did his homework
Secret Societies Knee-Deep in Coal Dust
Social Violence
knowledge can be enjoyable

Making Sense of the Molly Maguires
Kevin Kenny
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0195106644

Book Description

Twenty Irish immigrants, suspected of belonging to a secret terrorist organization called the Molly Maguires, were executed in Pennsylvania in the 1870s for the murder of sixteen men. Ever since, there has been enormous disagreement over who the Molly Maguires were, what they did, and why they did it, as virtually everything we now know about the Molly Maguires is based on hostile descriptions of their contemporaries. Arguing that such sources are inadequate to serve as the basis for a factual narrative, Making Sense of the Molly Maguires examines the ideology behind the contemporary evidence to explain how and why a particular meaning came to be associated with the Molly Maguires in Ireland and Pennsylvania. At the same time, this book examines new archival evidence from Ireland that establishes that the American Molly Maguires were a rare transatlantic strand of the violent protest endemic in the Irish countryside. Combining social and cultural history, Making Sense of the Molly Maguires offers a new explanation of who the Molly Maguires were, as well as why people wrote and believed such curious things about them. In the process, it vividly retells one of the classic stories of American labor and immigration.

Customer Reviews:

Full consideration of a complex historical event.......2002-12-21

Kenny digs into the broader social and historical forces that operated in the Irish coal miners and the community in which they found themselves. The events under review are themselves shocking. Like the 9/11 attacks, they seem almost incomprehensible because of their violence and the drama surrounding the events. The Molly Maguries were more than simple killers -- the women's clothing, for example, is a clue that something beyond a simple murder. Kenny gives his explanation of WHY events unfolded as they did.
Kenny has a scholarly point to make and academic readers will be rewarded with Kenny's solid analysis. This is a serious work on a serious subject. It is well worth a bit of intellectual effort. It also makes a fine addition to the reading list of an upper level undergraduate or graduate history course. However, the general reader with an interest in Irish-American history, labor history, and/or European immigrant history will also find this book interesting and informative.

Kenny really did his homework.......2002-02-15

His explanation of the beginning of the union and the people it involved was very clear.There were a lot of details on the exploitation of mineworkers of that era. This is a one the best on the subject.

Secret Societies Knee-Deep in Coal Dust.......2001-09-24

One of the better interpretations of this turbulant era in the coal belt. Kevin Kenny explores the complicated society relationships and both factual and circumstantial evidence that led to the the conviction of some of the ringleaders. Unlike the 1970 movie "The Molly MacGuires," this book assures the reader that series of violent events over a number of years was no simple story to tell. The subsequent convictions of some of the coal miner leaders was hotly contested in its day. Add this book to your collection if you are a student of 1800's Pennsylvania or the treatment of Irish immigrant miners during the period of the Molly MacGuires.

Social Violence.......2001-05-25

This is a long and complex book. However, it should not dissuade those that are interested in how some people can be driven to feel their only choice is violence. When the political, social, judicial, religious, and economic institutions of the elite are used to suppress some will react violently. The urban riots of the 60's and most recently in Cincinnati are examples of the desperation that can turn to violence and destruction when people feel they have no legal recourse. The book illustrates how the Molly's methods of violence and intimidation were transferred from Ireland to the United States. The Molly's were not a Mafia organization. The combination of the anti-labor press and powerful corporate interests refused to explore why the Molly's came into being. It was easy to sell to the American Public that the Molly's were a criminal organization or anarchists, who deserved to be hanged. The press of the mid 19th century was not interested in telling the story of why the Molly's existed. Answering why does not justify murder. The line is very gray from terrorism, and rebellion to patriot at times.

knowledge can be enjoyable.......2000-03-30

How is it possible that the Molly Maguires could be made boring! It's about real life and real people! History is exciting. This book is a cold and lifeless list-the way many of us were taught history in school. I wanted to learn about the Molly Maguires but this book was a disaster. The print was very small-get a magnifying glass-I'm serious.Were I taking a course in school and this was one of the textbooks and I had a decent professor then thats ok. This reads like some long boring detailed document.There should be some sort of warning. I'm not blaming any one but somewhere there should be an explanation about not just if a given reader liked a book but what kind of book it is.

Thomas Francis Meagher And the Irish Brigade in the Civil War

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Thomas Francis Meagher And the Irish Brigade in the Civil War
Daniel M. Callaghan
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Regiments | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 078642401X

Product Description

When President Abraham Lincoln issued his call to arms in 1861, the 63rd, 69th and 88th New York Volunteers were among the first to step forward to defend the Union. Comprised primarily of first and second generation Irish immigrants, these three regiments were later joined by the 28th Massachusetts and the 116th Pennsylvania. Although many of these Irish men were decidedly antiLincolnblaming the northern abolitionists as much as the southern rebels for the nations plightthey worked around their dilemma by pledging their allegiance to their new country and its flag rather than its president. Suffering heavy casualties, this Irish Brigade under the command of Thomas Francis Meagher became one of the most legendary fighting groups of the Civil War. This work provides a balanced, historically factual picture of the Irish Brigade and its commander by re-examining and re-interpreting existing accounts. It presents an unbiased account of the role that the Brigade played in the confrontations, during the Seven Days battles, at Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The author examines the ways in which contemporary sources distorted the historical actualities regarding the Irish Brigadeattempting to write into the annals of legend a story which needed no embellishmentand the tempering effect which chronological distance has produced, resulting in more critical and dispassionate publications. The effect of politics and political manipulation on the Irish regiments is also discussed. Sources range from memoirs published by brigade veterans in the years immediately following the war to letters and memoirs published as recently as 1996.

Lucan: De bello civili Book II (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics)

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Lucan: De bello civili Book II (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics)
Lucan
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Epic | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0521422418

Book Description

This edition offers the first full-scale commentary on the neglected second book of Lucan's epic poem on the civil war between Caesar and Pompey: De bello civili. It pays particular attention to Lucan's inheritance from Virgil's Augustan epic and response to its challenge. The introduction gives a general account of Lucan's life and work, a discussion of his narrative, a survey of language, style and meter, and a brief history of the text. The commentary offers assistance with grammar and translation and aims to provide the political, historical and geographical background to Lucan's epic narrative.

The English Civil War: Papists, Gentlewomen, Soldiers, and Witchfinders in the Birth of Modern Britain

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Unique and Effective
Bit disjointed but still good
In depth history, with a focus on the people involved
Poorly Written? No, just a different approach
My Favorite Kind of History

The English Civil War: Papists, Gentlewomen, Soldiers, and Witchfinders in the Birth of Modern Britain
Diane Purkiss
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0465067565

Book Description

A popular history of the English Civil War--one of the great turning points in Western history--told through the harrowing experiences of the men and women who lived through it

In this compelling history of the violent struggle between the monarchy and Parliament that tore apart seventeenth-century England, a rising star among British historians sheds new light on the people who fought and died during those tumultuous years. Like the Magna Carta or the American Revolution, the English Civil War resolved fundamental questions of sovereignty and political rights that are still the guiding principles of democracies today. However, the price of peace included the execution of a king, brutal persecution of Catholics and Royalists, and years of tyranny. Drawing on exciting new sources, including letters, memoirs, ballads, plays, illustrations, and even cookbooks, Diane Purkiss creates a rich and nuanced portrait of this turbulent era.

Purkiss peoples her story with fascinating characters, from the obstinate King Charles I to his opponents such as the poet John Milton, from the cruel and egomaniacal Oliver Cromwell to the self-styled prophet Lady Eleanor Davies, to witchfinders, revolutionaries, and ordinary men and women. The English Civil War's dramatic consequences--the rejection of divine right monarchy in favor of parliamentary rule--continue to influence our lives. In this colorful narrative, Diane Purkiss brings vividly to life the history that changed the course of Western government.

Customer Reviews:

Unique and Effective.......2007-04-05

A fantastic example of a bottom-up history that works. Dr. Purkiss paints a picture of the English Civil War using particular examples and stories from the common man, while keeping clear the role of political events, battles, and "great men". This book provides a detailed account of the causes and implications (without oversimplifying them) of the English Civil War on a grand scale while focusing on the impact it had on the people of England, something that is essential to understanding the period. If you are looking for an account of battles and diplomacy, there are better choices, but if you want to understand the mark the Civil War left on the English people, look no further.

Bit disjointed but still good.......2006-10-10

I was able to follow the narrative despite the author's focus on accounts of individuals. This focus gave me a better sense of what it felt like to be a participant in the war (whether or not you wanted to be). Also, unlike other books I've read on the English civil war, I was able to get a sense of which events were truly important: the battle of Naseby, for example, was not merely a defeat for the Royalist forces (as was Maston Moor) but a complete route which left the Royalist forces unable to recover. I do think that the book would benefit from a timeline of important events, so that reader can be reminded of the chronological order of vents. Also a list of the important "characters", with short biographies, would be helpful so that the reader is not confused when an eyewitness who has not been heard from in recent pages reappears.

In depth history, with a focus on the people involved.......2006-10-03

If you want a history of the battles of the English Civil War, this is not the book for you. If you are interested in the human side of this horrific period, then this is a book for you. While the battles are mentioned, they are placed in a much broader context.

This is a history of the English Civil War, told to a considerable extent through the words of observers and participants. Letters and diaries of people such as Brilliana Harley; tracts by Garrard Winstanley (a leading Digger); the debate at Putney, between leaders and Levellers add a very human element to this history.

The befuddled King Charles I and his strong-willed Queen, Henrietta Maria, are portrayed in enough depth that the reader can come to understand how they sealed their fates by being unable to recognize a changing reality.

The book takes into account religious disputes, political currents, and military developments.

For any reader interested in this critical moment in English history, this is a book well worth purchasing and reading.

Poorly Written? No, just a different approach.......2006-09-04

It seems that Christopher Drost didn't really know what he was getting into with Diane Purkiss' new book. One should not read this for a comprehensive linear history of the English Civil War. In fact, there are chapters I breezed through because my interest in certain local details wasn't too high. But the forest-trees issue is precisely the point. For a good sense of the Elizabeth-James transition, one could read Leanda De Lisle's "After Elizabeth"; for the war from Charles' perspective, maybe Pauline Gregg's "King Charles I"; for the aftermath of the commonwealth, maybe Mark Kishlansjy's "A Monarchy Transformed." But these books are all broad-brush looks at how the war was perceived by royalist or Puritan leaders. Purkiss tells us what the war felt like from the ground up, and for that we should be grateful. There really isn't another work on the war that takes this particular perspective.

My Favorite Kind of History.......2006-08-23

Diane Purkiss doesn't get lost in amongst the Charles and James of the Stuart royal family, instead she concentrates on how the upheavals of the 17th century affected the ordinary person. She makes history real and textured. The everyday fabric of life presented in this book shows how the big event finds expression in small ways. Great research and great writing.

Never Were Men So Brave: The Irish Brigade During the Civil War

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Concise History of an overlooked Civil War Brigade
Irish Suppression With A Little Civil War Mixed In

Never Were Men So Brave: The Irish Brigade During the Civil War
Susan Provost Beller
Manufacturer: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Military & Wars | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0689814062

Customer Reviews:

Concise History of an overlooked Civil War Brigade.......2000-07-06

Never Were Men So Brave by Susan Provost Beller, 1998. This is a short book, (98 pages) intended for a younger audience, while providing a well-written and very complete history of this famous unit. Any person of Irish descent would be happy to own this book. Susan Beller records the glory garnered by the Irish Brigade in some of the most decisive and heaviest battles in the Civil War. Ms. Beller addresses the proven bravery displayed by the actions of the Irish Brigade, (made up of the 69th New York, 63rd NY, 88th NY and the 29th Massachusetts) at decisive battles, and she gives vivid descriptions of the actions of the Brigade through some important characters such as General Thomas Meagher (pronounced MAAAHer). For example, at the bloodiest single day in American history, September 17th 1862, Susan Beller not only tells the story of the vital contribution of the Irish Brigade at the "Bloody Lane", but tells how, when they ran out of ammunition, the Irish Brigade "right-shouldered arms" and marched away in good order from the enemy. She also describes how shaken General Meagher was when his horse was shot and subsequently fell on the General. In this brief book, Ms. Beller provides a complete synopsis of the life of the Irish rebel, Meagher, from his early days in Ireland to his exile in Australia and finally his escape and settlement in America. She also describes important historical events, such as the famous "general absolution" given by Chaplain William Corby. Either one of these individuals would make a fine central character in a movie about the "Irish Brigade"; .... The Irish Brigade, as Ms Beller relates, was involved in some of the most important Civil War battles, and were so effective that it caused Confederate General Robert E. Lee to state, "Never were men so brave", from which the author draws her title. Perhaps Mel Gibson might consider such a movie

Irish Suppression With A Little Civil War Mixed In.......1998-08-15

"Never Were Men So Brave" is a "nice" effort for the sixth or seventh grader looking for general information on Irish emigration in the 1840's or about the American Civil War at the unit level. But a high school term paper it isn't. Ms. Beller's book in no way approaches the detail satisfying those interested in reading regimental or brigade histories (e.g., "The Iron Brigade" by Nolan; "The Last Full Measure" by Moe). The book begins with an elementary -- clearly pro-Irish -- summary of 800 years of Irish Catholic persecution at the hands of the English. This is a subject unto itself, and Beller's cursory treatment is neither thorough or balanced.

The history of the Irish Brigade (63rd, 69th, and 88th New York and 29th Massachusetts) in the Civil War emerges as nearly an afterthought -- absent of detail or depth, leaving the reader hungry for more. Judging by the bibliography, Beller appears to have had the background research in hand but fails to use it to best advantage, even for the target audience. The pictures, illustrations and many of the quotations (espcially from Father William Corby) are nice supplements to an otherwise disappointing treatment.

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