Modern Ireland: 1600-1972

I’m sure this is a great book for historians, but it is not a good first book on Irish history. I muscled through it and learned some, but there were so many names and terms and places, I was mostly lost most of the time.

I am a student at an Irish university and my literature professor recommended this book to bolster my knowledge of Irish history. Foster's book is highly academic, commenting deeply and brilliantly on many of the political and cultural nuances of modern Irish history. This book demands as a prerequisite a good understand of Irish history. Foster does not hold your hand and he does not explain events or figures in Wikipedia-style brevity. If this is your first time reading about Ireland and are looking for a general history, DO NOT select Foster's book. On the contrary, if you already have a solid foundation of Eire's history and want to read a brilliant analysis of a fascinating country, then proceed with Foster as your guide.

This is a well-respected scholarly work. Useful as a reference text, but quite ponderous.

This book was pictured with the dust jacket which was not included.

the print is smaller than I can read comfortably.

I intended to acquire said publication during my grad school days in Ireland; but, did not wish to carry it back to the states, and was existing on a shoestring budget. So now I have it.Thank You

Very detailed. Well researched. The writing style needs improvement. He puts the word "ethos" on an average of every two pages - what does an author mean when the pull out this tired old word? Still, it's an excellent resource for the past four centuries of Irish history.

This book is hands down the most well written and informative single volume history of modern Ireland I have read. It covers the subject in a concise, thorough fashion without taking the reader down the more obscure tangents the subject tends towards. A great introduction.The first time I read it I did so straight through, it is that well written.

I had to get this book for a class on the history of Ireland.Its written in plain language that anyone can understand. I really enjoyed reading this book in class, to the point that I would often read it in my free time (on the bus, before bed, etc.). Its a little bit long, but its definitely worth the read!Even though we finished in class before I finished the book, one of the first things I did after the class ended was finish the book. In my free time!I recommend this book to anyone who would want to read a good history book about Ireland.

This poor review isn't about the content of this book, just about the presentation. It is probably a very good book. I don't mind it being somewhat academic and "scholarly" - I'm used to reading academic books, but I am struggling mightily with the little print and having struggled through70 pages of the 600+ I am discouraged. Yes, I am in my early 70s but I do read quite a few books, and am wearing my cheap reading glasses from Boots the Chemist - and in a good light. This combination usually works very well for me, but this time I'm struggling. I can't give up now - I'm still in the 17th century! I would rather pay a few more quid for a more readable text.

Good if disturbing read as the troubles seemed inevitable from hundreds of years ago. Again the malign influence of Norman, English then British exploitation. Why does Britain believe it has the right to impose its highly questionable beliefs on others. The delusion persists in a variant form with the “Brexit” vote. We have a lot for which to answer .

Very academic style and the book assumes some prior knowledge of Irish history, but very objective and avoids polemics.

Ok