IRELAND Past and Present

by Tom Ireland ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 16, 1942

There is an enormous amount of valuable reference material in the exhaustive one-volume history of Ireland, approached as a survey of the forces and elements that went into the 700 year fight for freedom from England, now endangered by bitterness and hatred which makes recognition of common problems almost impossible. In the tragedy of the Partition, with the inescapable seeds of civil war, of intolerance, of a barrier that seems difficult to level, lies the problem that must be met and solved, Tom Ireland has given us an excellent objective historical survey, too detailed for the average reader who wants a quick survey,definition, exposition and an answer to the Irish puzzle. But for one who wishes to give himself a sound background of many years of struggle, a strange bond between England and Ireland, a debt both ways between the United States and Ireland, a minute weighing of the pros and cons, here's the book. The volume starts with an introductory presentation of the reasons why the hatchet should be buried, concessions made on both sides of the Irish Sea, and the unique contribution Ireland has it in her power to make, because of her geographical position, yielded at once to the champions of democracy. Two thirds of the book deals with modern Eire, and in spite of this, there is inadequate discussion of the rights given the U. S. in Eire, and the probable effect of our entry into the war. Then too, the part played by the Catholic Church is skimmed over. In final analysis, a useful and important book, but not the final word.

Pub Date: Jan. 16, 1942

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1942

Categories: NONFICTION