No comments about Victory and Woe: The West Limerick Brigade in the War of Independence (Classics of Irish History).

No comments about Fire and Sword: Sorley Boy MacDonnell and the Rise of Clan Ian Mor, 1538-1590.

5 comments about A Drink with Shane MacGowan.

1. I was so looking forward to reading this, however Victoria Mary Clarke (hereafter VMC) chose this to be her sounding board on her self importance. Practically every chapter had some form of self praise "Victoria nodded attractively" "Victoria shook a prada cladded foot" "Victoria nibbled a digestive biscuit attractively" (not word for word quotes)
   
   What should have been a riot of a read was sullied by an amateur shot of VMC trying to grab the limelight
   
   Terrible



2. I love the Pogues. I love to read about music. I love to read about the creative process, especially from songwriters. And I consider Shane MacGowan to be a brilliant songwriter. This book, however, is a stream of drunken conversations about his life, his opinions, explanations that he's not really that much of a racist, bragging about his ability to bed fans, etc. The main problem, though, is that his songs boil down his experiences to the essentials, giving brilliant snapshots of certain times, places and characters. These rambling, unedited accounts almost seem like an attempt to give merit to his detractors that say he's not much more than a mouthy drunk. The DVD "If I Should Fall..." balances the two very well. This doesn't even try.



3. "A Drink with Shane MacGowan" is just that. It's a series of Shane MacGowan interviews by his closest companion, girlfriend/wife of over 14 years, Victoria Mary Clarke. Arranged like a play, in 8 acts, Clarke goes into the depths of the mind of the former singer and leading force of the Pogues, Shane MacGowan over various discussions.
   
   The book is a great read that takes you back to his childhood in Tipperary, Ireland, thru his teenage years in London and on the road as the singer of the Nipps and of the Pogues.
   
   Shane MacGowan is a great read because he is honest about his opinions and himself. He doesn't try to please people in this book. He talks about his life from his point of view.
   
   I found many hilarious anecdotes throughout the book such when he recalled Lisa Stansfield breaking his nose and how the Pogues lovely bassist, Cait O'Riordan knocked Matt Dillon down a flight of stairs during the shooting of a the video "Christmas in New York."
   
   The book doesn't talk enough about the songs he wrote. Early in the book, there's a wonderful passage where he discusses the lyrics to "The Dunes."
   
   At times, MacGowan goes off on tangents that aren't clear. But these are mainly sections where he attempts to make a distinction between traditional Irish instruments and replaced instruments (such as the accordian).
   
   MacGowan has a very comical side in his psyche in the form of contradictions. At times, he'll come off as crass, invigorated by the very thought of violence, yet at the same time, intensely religious, but in a "Taoist/Roman Catholic" sense.
   
   He really sheds a lot of light on his proud Irish heritage and made me reflect on my own Irishness proudly.
   
   MacGowan's most interesting sequence in the book came from his contempt of the music industry. At one point he discussed about how pop hits were mundane and boring and blamed that because those with the power like mundane and boring music. To further illustrate his point, he compared a mundane and boring pop song to a mundane and boring murder.
   
   That particular sequence I found hilarious. It also says something to me when it only took me three days to read this 358 page book. With a very bad flu mind you.
   
   Anyway, if you have no one to go to a pub with. Go to the pub anyway, order lagers and read this book. Its company is as good as any great drinking moments with your best friends.
   
   
   Do not read this literally. I mean, he was and may still very well be a drug addict despite his denials. I think some of his "expertise" should be read more humorously such as when he repeatedly emphasizes that "Brandy" is the worst of all drugs.



4. I love all things pogues/Shane, but this was rather dull. i would recommend it if i could get it at the library.



5. This book was a major disappointment for me, I write annoyingly. It seems the "author" had a deadline to meet and threw this trash together at the last minute, I write this time frustratingly. If you like reading an adverb at the end of every sentence this is the book for you. The author has an amazing subject to work with here and chooses to simply mail it in. I can't believe the publisher let her get away with this. If I ever meet this author I will ask for my money back quickly. I teach third grade and most of my students write better than this garbage. I wish I never bought it, I end this review disappointedly.

5 comments about Churchill: A Study in Greatness.

1. this book by geoffrey best will rank as one of the greatest book ever written about churchill full of wise summations and not too long thi work is recommended by the churchill society . for sure one of the very best one volume work



2. Best nos presenta una panorámica de la vida de Churchill. Algunos capítulos están mas inspiradoa que otros. Trata de mostrar una perspectiva imparcial del personaje aunque claramente se comprueba que le admira grandemente, pero no tanto como a su esposa Clementine. La extensión de la parte que corresponde a la segunda guerra mundial es mucho mas amplia (quizás la mitad del libro). Casi no responde las preguntas o dudas sobre asuntos controversiales que existen sobre la vida de este personaje.
   
   Como se comprende, al escribir sobre Churchill es necesario mostrar una parte de la hisoria de GB y del mundo pero esta se queda corta a veces para ayudar a comprender a cabalidad la circunstancias que rodearon a los hechos.
   
   En general el texto es bueno, muy bien redactado, fácilmente comprensible. Algunos artículos mas inspirados que otros pero todos interesantes.



3. A very readable book that provides balanced and insightful coverage of the whole of Churchill's life. I would highly recommend this book either to those who have not previously read much about Churchill or equally to those who have read other Churchill biographies or war histories and wish to take a fresh look. Of particular value is the way that the author take the occasional opportunity to dispel certain myths and revisionist ideas about Churchill.



4. Not a true biography but more than just a compilation of essays concerning Churchill's life and times, the author provides us with a 300+ page synopsis/chronology with a sprinkling of his thoughts, insights and conclusions. I found nothing new or "earth-shattering" here. On the other hand it makes a nice supplement, (i.e. much like Meachem's book on FDR and Churchill), to biographys/books I have read. If you are looking for a full-fledged bio start elsewhere, (Manchester or Gilbert), and if your interest is piqued as mine was, come back to this one.



5. A compact biography (384 pages) by Oxford Historian Geoffrey Best is far and away the best I have read on Churchill. The many facets of Churchill's life are covered in a series of essays from the author. Best summarizes Churchill's life with clarity and high degree of accuracy.
   
   If you're looking for a comprehensive study on Churchill, this isn't it. You won't find page after page of stilted verbiage here, but you will find a well written presentation of this fascinating man, perhaps the savior of England. If it is possible to write a detailed account of such a varied figure within the brevity of such a small volume, the author has done so admirably.
   
   Though the author clearly admires the subject, this isn't just another "I love Churchill" book. Best gives a fair and balanced account of many areas where Churchill may have erred, such as Gallipolli. The book is fair, and it is no-nonsense, to the point, without a lot of ambivalent inflection.
   
   I have a number of volumes on the life and times of Churchill. I may go to other volumes for research purposes, but this is probably the most enjoyable read I have encountered on the man.
   
   Monty Rainey
   www.juntosociety.com

No comments about Irish in Youngstown and the Greater Mahoning Valley (OH) (Images of America).

3 comments about The Day Michael Collins was Shot.

1. Meda Ryan attempts to tackle a very difficult task: determining who shot Michael Collins on that ill-fated day in 1922. In the book's preface, Ryan shares her reasons for wanting to examine the topic and her research methods in compiling the book. In Part I of the introduction, Ryan provides a short biography of Collins's life from his birth to June 1922. In Part II, she covers the last two months of Collins's life and the marrow of the book begins. Ryan supplies several great pictures and several maps of Béal na mBláth. Her evidence consists of eye-witness accounts, letters, telephone conversations and newspaper clippings.

   Ryan takes us on a rollercoaster of facts and emotions as the story progresses. The basic theories she tackles are: Collins was hit from behind by IRA members headed to Kerry, Collins was hit by a member of his own party by a close range bullet from the armoured car, Collins was hit by a ricocheted bullet, and Collins was hit by a bullet fired by an IRA member. After dissecting the response of the medical examiners, the embalmer, the men who supposedly buried the cap Collins was wearing on the day he was killed, and the testimony of Emmet Dalton, Collins's friend and comrade who was with him that day, Ryan does give a firm conclusion as to who the shooter was. She dispels the theories that Collins was shot by a bullet from a Mauser pistol and that Collins was killed by a ricocheted bullet. So who shot Michael Collins according to Ryan's studies? Read this engrossing book to find out!




2. After reading a number of books on Michael Collins I found this book to be one of the most interesting on the shelves. The author gives a brief background of Collins life, what influenced his views and why he signed the Treaty. As the title suggests this book concentrates mainly on the last days of Michael Collin's life. There is an in-depth look at how he was killed and who fired the fatal shot. Interviews included are with those who took part in the Beal na mBlath ambush. I would highly recommed this book, even to anyone who has a slight interest in Michael Collins.



3. This book is a quick read that provides good detail of the last days of MIchael Collins' life and the months leading up to his assassination. If you are interested in what he did before he was shot and a theory of his death then you should read this book. The book focuses on the assassination of Collins and the politics surrounding it. It gives great detail of the final day and the attack itself so if that interests you it would be a good book.

No comments about Mairead Corrigan And Betty Williams: Partners for Peace in Northern Ireland (Modern Peacemakers).

No comments about Raids and Rallies.

2 comments about Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland.

1. A simple search of the Internet provided limited at best information on Saint Patrick. A friend lent our family a simple children's book on this man's life. Obviously written for the younger reader, my 6 year old son enjoyed the book as much as my wife and I did.
   
   The author does a good job of outlining Patrick's life and the victories work through him. One can not help but gain a respect for the man in reading this book. The book certainly inspires the reader to expand their knowledge of this man whose holiday brings much festivity every year. Also helpful at the end of each chapter are a series of questions and new vocab to help aid further discussion and comprehension with your children. I enjoyed this book and recommend it for a quick read as well as helpful instruction for your children.



2. I'm a homeschooling mom of 3, and read this book myself before assigning it to my daughter. About all I knew of St. Patrick before reading this book, was that he got a holiday in March, and he was from Ireland. This is a fascinating, fast paced, well written account of an incredible man of God. I learned so much, and was truly inspired at well as engaged. My daughter (11) is currently reading it, and is also loving it. It should be noted that it has review questions at the end of each chapter- so helpful! I highly recommend this book.

No comments about William and Mary (Very Interesting People S.).