Ireland

A Concise History from the Twelfth Century to the Present Day

By: Paul Johnson

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Ireland is inarguably a beautiful, enchanted place. But its history is more turbulent, fascinating, and terrible than any other. From the first English presence in Ireland in the 12th century, through siege, rebellion, and civil war, to Irish ascendancy, home rule, and the present-day troubles, best-selling author Paul Johnson tells, with remarkable clarity and concision, the compelling story of this most remarkable island.

©1980 Paul Johnson (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A lively, intelligent, sometimes provocative but always stimulating account of Ireland from the 12th century to our own….” ( Sunday Telegraph)

Very interesting.

I'm trying to read/listen to everything written by Paul Johnson. Sometimes, this book included, to a non-English, the references that are hard to follow. What I do enjoy about the book, is the authors analysis and listing of the historic facts.

Helpful as an overview

I appreciate this audio book, and felt that I got a good basic overview of Ireland's history. I do acknowledge and respect the views that the book is mostly from the English point of view, so read reviews other than mine. My objective was to have an audio book on the subject so that I could, while driving, get a basic orientation to the history of Ireland, and I'm not trying to become an expert.

One of the reasons I was interested in understanding the history was to answer questions about how and why tension between Ireland and England originated, and I think this book helped me to understand that. Likewise I hoped to understand the tension between Catholic and Protestant, and I believe I am now somewhat informed about that.

I would like to find a book or other material that will help me to understand the people of the Republic of Ireland, and the people of Northern Ireland, and what life and viewpoints are like today.

I'd like to visit the Republic of Ireland, but not as an obnoxious drinking Yank, and rather as a somewhat informed student that hopes to learn more and to appreciate the place and the people and the customs and the history.

Another well done history

Well done history with an amusingly original beginning. I wish it was longer but it covers its subject fairly well.

Ireland what a history

If you could sum up Ireland in three words, what would they be?

It seems so old world. It has a history that gives my a need to travel there.

What did you like best about this story?

The way it is brought to life

Which character – as performed by Wanda McCaddon – was your favorite?

It is hard to choose one. It one was so riviting

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

What she explained about the struggles they had to overcome change.

Another great consise history

I came into this book thinking Irish historys would be the same as Scotland -- a celtic people trying to fight off the English. Wrong! Ireland, because it's an island, and because it remained Catholic had a much different, and much worse history.

Many interesting events here. How English invaders who stayed kept going native. How the 1790 rebellion was led by Protestants. How de Tocqueville found poverty in 19th century Ireland worse than anything he had seen in Europe or N America.

Recommend this book to anyone wanting to know where the 'troubles' came from.