Ireland: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present

"Ireland examines the history of a nation that for centuries was divided by political and religious differences. Despite its turbulent past, Ireland has produced many celebrated writers and artists, from James Joyce to the rock band U2, and it currently enjoys economic prosperity on a par with the leading nations of Europe and the world." Major areas of coverage in this volume include Ireland's special relationship with the United States, its troubled political history, and its cultural contributions to the world. The book contains easy-to-use reference features such as an A-to-Z dictionary of people, events, and terms, as well as a chronology of significant events. In addition, a narrative history presents the essential facts of Irish history. Ireland provides general and other readers with a solid foundation in Irish history.

Library Journal

Every country's history warrants a comprehensive A-to-Z of some sort. Given its rich heritage, Ireland is certainly no exception. In fact, it was probably a challenge for McCarthy (Dissent from Irish America) to narrow down the number of entries that make up this reference volume. Still, at under 600 pages, the work is impressively inclusive, covering people (e.g., "James Joyce"), places (e.g., "Nortern Ireland"), and numerous events (e.g., "Bloody Sunday, 1921 and 1972") that shaped the country's cultural and political landscape. Perhaps its depth won't satisfy the serious scholar, but it will certainly be adequate for the average researcher or lay reader. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.