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Friday, October 05, 2007

Read Ireland

Read Ireland Book Reviews – Issue 392 ------------------------------------- Contents: 1. An Irish Eye by Gerry Adams 2. How the Irish Invented Slang: The Secret Language of the Crossroads by Daniel Cassidy 3. Contemporary Ireland: A Sociological Map edited by Sara O’Sullivan 4. Cosmopolitan Ireland: Globalisation and Quality of Life by Carmen Kuhling & Kieran Keohane 5. Seamus Heaney and the Emblems of Hope by Karen Marguerite Moloney 6. Changing Ireland in International Comparison edited by Betty Hilliard and Maire Nic Ghiola Phadraig 7. Anzacs and Ireland by Jeff Kildea 8. Dublin: City Spot Guide by Pat Levy 9. Belfast: City Spot Guide by Louise McGrath 10. Cork: City Spots Guide by Sean Sheehan --------------------------------- 1. An Irish Eye by Gerry Adams (Trade Paperback; 15 Euro / 20 USD / 10 UK; 312 pages) The recent years covered by this unique book have seen momentous events in Irish republicanism and in the politics of Ireland as a whole. From the IRA decision in 2005 to formally end its armed campaign and to put its arms beyond use to the Sinn Féin decision in January 2007 to support the policing and justice system, unparalleled historic change has taken place. In An Irish Eye Gerry Adams brings his own perspective to bear on these developments. An accomplished writer as well as political leader, he describes the events, in which he has played such a significant role, with insight, passion and humour. He gives the reader an unrivalled insight into pivotal moments of our recent history, and he takes the reader behind the scenes to witness events that continue to shape Irish society today. The book includes Gerry Adams’ historic appeal to the IRA and his call on Sinn Féin to support the policing and justice system. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Irish politics now. It is not, however, just about the Northern Ireland peace process. It includes observations about visits to the Basque country, the Middle East, South Africa and the USA. He also comments on the Celtic Tiger and other aspects of life in Ireland today; he takes a verbal poke at the establishment, and he give us a peek at some personal and humorous episodes as well as the more serious life and death issues. --------------------------------------- 2. How the Irish Invented Slang: The Secret Language of the Crossroads by Daniel Cassidy (Trade Paperback; 15 Euro / 20 USD / 10 UK; 300 pages) In a series of lively essays, this pioneering book proves that US slang has its strongest wellsprings in nineteenth-century Irish America. "Jazz" and "poker," "sucker" and "scam" all derive from Irish. While demonstrating this, Daniel Cassidy simultaneously traces the hidden history of how Ireland fashioned America, not just linguistically, but through the Irish gambling underworld, urban street gangs, and the powerful political machines that grew out of them. Cassidy uncovers a secret national heritage, long discounted by our WASP-dominated culture. ----------------------------------- 3. Contemporary Ireland: A Sociological Map edited by Sara O’Sullivan (Trade Paperback; 30 Euro / 40 USD / 20 UK; 484 pages) "Contemporary Ireland: A Sociological Map" is a new textbook sponsored by the UCD School of Sociology which starts from the assumption that the Celtic Tiger has transformed Irish society and that there is indeed a new Ireland. It provides a comprehensive coverage of all the topics that would be expected in an introductory text for sociology and Irish studies students, as well as giving an in-depth treatment that will be of value to students in more advanced courses. The book includes full discussion of Northern Ireland. Leading sociologists from UCD and other universities take a critical stance and regard the book as part of the tradition of 'public sociology', in raising issues for a wider society. This allows students access to different sociological perspectives to enable them to appreciate different ways of doing sociology. Each chapter outlines some of the wider theoretical debates, shows how they apply to a changing Ireland, summarises the main sociological changes in the field that have occurred in the last decade and come conclusions on the future of Irish society in that field for the immediate future. The book is arranged in five sections: Contours of a Changing Ireland; Institutions; Governance, Economy, Development and the Celtic Tiger; Class Equality and Inequality; Identity, Diversity and Culture. --------------------------------------- 4. Cosmopolitan Ireland: Globalisation and Quality of Life by Carmen Kuhling & Kieran Keohane (Trade Paperback; 28 Euro / 38 USD / 19 UK; 247 pages) Ireland is going through a period of unprecedented economic and cultural growth and renewal. Living standards in the Republic are growing in an unprecedented manner. These changes are due in part to neoliberal policies in attracting major US capital, and in part to successfully capturing EU capital. The social consequences of these economic events have led to an Ireland which has become cosmopolitan, whose Roman Catholicism has been secularised, and to which Irish people are returning. Laws concerning divorce and sexuality have been liberalised and Ireland has become an urban society for the first time ever. This book explains what has happened socially, but also provide examples of the cultural transformation, which has allowed local creative talent to flow. At all points of the compass, Ireland is an exciting place to live. This book provides a rich analysis of Ireland, examining the problems of benefits of the changes taking place. Inevitably, in a rapidly expanding economy, there are winners and losers: where capitalism works for a wide number of people in a community, the adrenaline flows, but the people who cannot keep up may fall by the wayside. The authors explore these changes, and the nuances that make up modern Ireland over the last 15 years, capturing the intensity of the debates that make up the new cosmopolitan multi-cultural Ireland. ------------------------------------ 5. Seamus Heaney and the Emblems of Hope by Karen Marguerite Moloney (Hardback; 35 Euro / 50 USD / 25 UK; 210 pages) A rich body of mythology and literature has grown around the Celtic ritual known as the Feis of Tara or marriage of sovereignty ancient ceremonies in which the future king pledges to care for the land and serve the goddess of sovereignty. Seamus Heaney has engaged this symbolic tradition in some of his most significant and controversial work. An impeccably researched and immensely readable work, Seamus Heaney and the Emblems of Hope reveals that Heaney s poetry offers a reverence for archetypal femininity and Dionysian energy that can counter the sterility and violence of postcolonial Irish life. In the tradition of poets who preceded him, Heaney turns to the marriage of sovereignty to encode a message for our times and to offer up emblems of hope on behalf of us all. --------------------------------- 6. Changing Ireland in International Comparison edited by Betty Hilliard and Maire Nic Ghiola Phadraig (Trade Paperback; 25 Euro / 30 USD / 20 UK; 240 pages) It is now widely recognised that Irish society has been transformed radically over the past two decades. Indeed, a large number of books have already been published on the phenomenon, some celebrating the country's achievements, some analysing the origins and outcomes of the boom, and many criticising what is perceived as a failure to use the new affluence to eliminate social inequality. However, there has been little attempt to set the Celtic Tiger years in a comparative international context. "Changing Ireland in International Comparison" will fill this gap in our knowledge. Based on data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), an international co-operative project of cross-national survey research carried out on an annual basis across forty-one countries, the book provides an analysis of social and attitudinal change in Ireland over a period of unprecedented societal transformation. The book provides a unique source of measuring attitudes "before and after" the boom on a variety of important themes, in international comparison at a crucial time of increasing globalisation. Three main areas are covered: economic aspects of change; family and gender; and cultural change. "Changing Ireland in International Comparison" will become an essential reference for lecturers and students of social science, as well as policy-makers, commentators and anybody interested in today's Ireland. ---------------------------------- 7. Anzacs and Ireland by Jeff Kildea (Trade Paperback; 30 Euro / 39 USD / 21 UK; 294 pages) The book offers an account of the activities of Australian soldiers on leave who ended up in Ireland as tourists and often found themselves caught up in the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Black and Tan War. The chapter on the Easter Rising adds a new dimension to the increasingly complex picture of that event, while students and scholars of the Irish diaspora will find much of interest also. The author makes use of participants' diaries. There are fascinating glimpses of rarely mentioned social aspects of wartime Ireland, such as the 'six bob a day tourists' (Australian soldiers on leave). Kildea also looks at the ongoing impact of the First World War on Australian and Irish identity, and compares recent commemorations of WWI in both countries. ------------------------------------- 8. Dublin: City Spot Guide by Pat Levy (Paperback, with full colour illustrations throughout; 11 Euro / 14 USD / 6 UK; 160 pages) This title is perfect for pleasure seeking city breakers wanting to quickly pinpoint the city's most entertaining highlights and decide what to see and do in a limited time - with essential orientation advice, shopping, sightseeing, eating and drinking, plus great ideas for low-budget entertainment too. Dublin highlights covered include: Temple Bar and the Iron Ha penny bridge, Trinity College, Kildare Street and its museums, St. Stephen's Green, the Guinness storehouse and the north City Quays, a sleek revitalised area. Trips out of town include: North to Malahide and its castle and south to Dalkey with its windswept beaches. -------------------------------- 9. Belfast: City Spot Guide by Louise McGrath (Paperback, with full colour illustrations throughout; 11 Euro / 14 USD / 6 UK; 144 pages) "Cityspots Belfast" takes you straight to the heart of Northern Ireland's revitalised capital, a compact city packed with history, architecture, shops, cool bars and restaurants. There's been an air of optimism in this eclectic capital city for years now, thanks to the likes of the Belfast Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Complex. And the arrival of no-frills airlines has enabled weekenders to converge here for the vibrant nightlife alone. Belfast's highlights include: Belfast Waterfront Hall; Belfast Castle on Cave Hill for history and great views of the city; Old Bushmills Distillery - the oldest whiskey distillery in the world; historic pubs such as White's Tavern (one of Belfast's oldest), Kelly's Cellars and the Crown Liquor Saloon - a beautiful gas-lit pub with ornate Victoriana on the outside and cosy snugs inside; Black Taxi Tours with native drivers showing you sectarian murals, the abiding symbols of the Troubles; Lagan Boat Company's trips (the Titanic story, dockyards); and a short drive away are the Mountains of Mourne, looming over Giant's Causeway. It is perfect for pleasure-seeking city breakers wanting to quickly pinpoint the city's most entertaining highlights and decide what to see and do in a limited time. It features clear maps to enable fast orientation and full-colour illustrated pages to pinpoint the very best in shopping, sightseeing, eating and drinking - plus great ideas for low-budget entertainment too. It spans a wide range of destinations, including those served by budget airlines; and contains practical listings to suit varied budgets and tastes. Imaginative suggestions reveal each city's hidden gems. The compact format quickly locates the top must-see and do attractions. It features full-colour maps and photographs. ---------------------------------- 10. Cork: City Spots Guide by Sean Sheehan (Paperback, with full colour illustrations throughout; 11 Euro / 14 USD / 6 UK; 140 pages) "Cityspots Cork" takes you straight to the heart of Ireland's second city, European Capital of Culture 2005 and still riding high on the short-break wave. Forever true to its traditional Irish charms yet modernised by urban investment, it offers winding streets, trusty old pubs alongside slick bars and restaurants that attract the young and lively. Cork highlights Include: Pedestrianised Paul Street with restaurants, art and craft studios and street entertainers; St Finnbarr's Cathedral stands on the site of a monastery founded by the saint; Bishop Lucey Park has a permanent exhibition of modern sculpture; Grand Parade, Cork' main thoroughfare with a monument to Irish patriots; and kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, just outside of the city. It is perfect for pleasure-seeking city breakers wanting to quickly pinpoint the city's most entertaining highlights and decide what to see and do in a limited time. It contains clear maps to enable fast orientation and full-colour illustrated pages to pinpoint the very best in shopping, sightseeing, eating and drinking - plus great ideas for low-budget entertainment too. It spans a wide range of destinations, including those served by budget airlines; and contains practical listings to suit varied budgets and tastes. Imaginative suggestions reveal each city's hidden gems. Compact format quickly locates the top must-see and do attractions. It features full-colour maps and photographs. -------------------------------------- Thank you for your continued support. It is vital for the continuation of this service! If you appreciate receiving theseregular emails, I respectfully request that if you are considering ordering any of these books that you do so through Read Ireland. Using these emails to order books from other suppliers does NOT support Read Ireland nor the continuation of the service. I very much appreciate your patronage. To order books from the Read Ireland Book Review – simply return the Newsletter by clicking your reply button. Please DELETE the books you do NOT want and LEAVE the books you DO WANT to order. Please note that prices for these books on the Read Ireland website may differ from those quoted above. Alternatively, you can send an email to the order department at: gregcarr@readireland.ie Please be sure to include your full mailing address and credit card details including expiration date. You might like to split this information into 2 or 3 emails for security. You can of course also post your order to: Read Ireland, 392 Clontarf Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3,Ireland. Telephone and Facsimile number is: +353-1-853-2063. Read Ireland Web Site Home Page: www.readireland.ie or www.readireland.com Please visit often! If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much for your continued support and custom. Sincerely, Gregory Carr @ Read Ireland
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