The history thread

[Connemara]

Let's have a running discussion about favorite historical eras/events/people/whatever. I don't know how to start this off but I know it will produce some good reading material.

 

[alliswell]

Conne-

What's your favorite book on Irish history?

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by letmebefell

Conne- What's your favorite book on Irish history?
Are you looking for a recommendation for reading or are you just interested in knowing my personal preference?

 

[alliswell]

Yes.

I tried reading Lee but it's a little much. I'm looking for a good general history.

 

[JustinW]

Thomas Keneally?

 

[Connemara]

IMO, Moody & Martin's The Course of Irish History is a great beginner text. It's a collection of essays on the major time periods. Concise, well-written, fascinating. R.F. Foster's Modern Ireland is a masterstroke, though I disagree vehemently with many of his conclusions (he is one of the foremost revisionists in modern Irish scholarship). Brilliant prose, great research. Is there a specific time period/topic you'd like to know more about?

 

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by Connemara

Let's have a running discussion about favorite historical eras...

Last summer was quite nice.

 

[Connemara]

By the way, what was wrong with Lee's book? (I assume you're talking about Ireland 1912-1985). Too dry? I've never read it.

 

[JustinW]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

Last summer was quite nice.
Obviously a Braudelian Annalist!

 

[Piobaire]

Conne:

Who's your favorite ancient Irish person from history? Mine is Brian of Boruma.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Conne: Who's your favorite ancient Irish person from history? Mine is Brian of Boruma.
By ancient I guess you mean medieval, as Boru was around in the 10th and 11th centuries. Anyways I think that is the favorite of many.

Mine is probably Diarmaid Mac Murchadha (Dermot MacMurrough for you Anglo bastards). The actions of one man kicked off a millenia of conflict between England and Ireland. A fascinating character.

 

[alliswell]

Originally Posted by Connemara

By the way, what was wrong with Lee's book? (I assume you're talking about Ireland 1912-1985). Too dry? I've never read it.

Two things are wrong with it, both on the first page. There's too much detail (he quotes a statistical report in the second paragraph, and there's too little structure (he makes no attempt to tell the reader what the book is about). It's like attending the second class in a seminar and knowing there's no way you'll catch up.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Connemara

By ancient I guess you mean medieval, as Boru was around in the 10th and 11th centuries. Anyways I think that is the favorite of many.

Mine is probably Diarmaid Mac Murchadha (Dermot MacMurrough for you Anglo bastards). The actions of one man kicked off a millenia of conflict between England and Ireland. A fascinating character.

Well, the English could never get along with anyone.

 

[oneeightyseven]

Originally Posted by Connemara

By ancient I guess you mean medieval, as Boru was around in the 10th and 11th centuries. Anyways I think that is the favorite of many.

Mine is probably Diarmaid Mac Murchadha (Dermot MacMurrough for you Anglo bastards). The actions of one man kicked off a millenia of conflict between England and Ireland. A fascinating character.

According to wikipedia, they were remotely related.

 

[chronoaug]

Originally Posted by letmebefell

What's your favorite book on Irish history?

http://www.amazon.com/Isle-Saints-Se.../dp/0801481570

Good read