A Sampling of the Latest Irish Books. RECOMMENDED Acclaimed historian Edward T. O'Donnell goes from the Ice Age to Michael Phelan ("The Father of American Billiards") in his breezy history 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History. O'Donnell, professor of American History at Holy Cross College, covers topics ranging from Ireland Before 1850, Religion, … [Read more...] about Book Reviews
Books
For the Love of Ireland
Author Susan Cahill tells what prompted her to write For the Love of Ireland: A Literary Companion for Readers and Travelers. I grew up in New York City in an Irish-American family whose patriarch on my mother's side fought to keep Ulysses out of the Queensborough public libraries and later grand-marshaled the St. Patrick's Day Parade. As a graduate student in David … [Read more...] about For the Love of Ireland
Memoir of an Irish Childhood
By Pete Hamill
September October 1996
Author and raconteur Frank McCourt, in his autobiography, has "examined his ferocious childhood, walked around it, relived it, and with skill and care and generosity of heart, transformed it into a triumphant work of art," writes Pete Hamill. Frank McCourt has written a triumphant book. His memoir of an Irish childhood is in turns hilarious, heart-scalding, bitterly angry. … [Read more...] about Memoir of an Irish Childhood
MacLaverty Returns
By Colin Lacey
May/June 1995
Colin Lacey interviews Bernard MacLaverty (photo right) the Belfast writer who penned Cal and Lamb and who has just published a book of short stories. "Some journalists in the North of Ireland are fond of asking me what I'll write about after the Troubles are over. But although peace is absolutely necessary -- and I wish them all success -- pain and suffering and human … [Read more...] about MacLaverty Returns
Roddy Doyle Has The Last Laugh
By Frank Shouldice
January / February 1994
Irish writer Roddy Doyle's book, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha [Viking Press] won the prestigious Booker Prize last month, and the next day 28,000 copies were sold in England alone. Frank Shouldice profiles the Dublin author, whose movie The Snapper, directed by Stephen Frears, is currently being distributed in the U.S. by Miramax films. Just seven years ago he worked as a primary … [Read more...] about Roddy Doyle Has The Last Laugh