People of Irish heritage as well as all others - a must read
921944
A very historical account of Ireland during the time of the potato famine.  Rather scholarly and difficult to get into, but once I did get into the story, found it hard to put down.
4849775
Very good read, easily follow the characters and their feelings and human trials through out the story. Love Irish stories, of tenacity, and integrity. Part of the heritage, ((Born to Fight)
3966261
Great book to give to that Irish women  in your life who is proud of her heritage, or anyone who needs a boost of courage and inspiration.
2922696
Enjoyed it so much. My heritage is from Ireland and after reading this book so is my heart and soul.
4090191
The Irish Face In America is not only a touching tribute to Irish Americans but is also an enjoyable book to read and admire the photographs. This book is so special becuase it includes a variety of different expereinces from a diverse group of people all with one common bond, being an Irish American. Every unique experience shared is accompanied by a captivating photograph. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, the pictures in this book are worth TEN thousand words!!!
2509005
A fascinating read about the Irish in WWII after their fight for independence from Great Britain.  The different points of view were clearly described in the accounts of different members of this Irish family.  It's a family story, a war story, a spy story all in a very readable and well-written book.  I will look for other books by this author.
3486201
This is an absolutely outstanding book about the true story of an immigrant.  It conveys the various emotions and experiences of one who left his native country for a new land.  Anyone who's a first-generation immigrant or knows a family member that was will be especially able to relate with the people profiled in this book.
As a aside, this book reminds me somewhat of the underlying theme in many of William Saroyan's books, namely his struggle with his dual identity - "am I an American or an Armenian".
2650512
Wow, this surely is the best entry into authentic Irish joy and culture. We are enjoying your book so much. It is truely a wonderous work of sheer dedication and love for your daughter and your Irish heritage. In this terrific read I feel like I have touched the heart of our own  ancestral  roots in the Emerald Isle. We are setting up our Irish Family Tree from  Taum, Galway Bay, Ireland. "Traditional Irish Wedding" is a great  insight into the loving Irish traditions. We would love to travel there  someday. Meanwhile, this fabulous book , with its' delightful sharing  of  history and culture, is an open door into the joy of being Irish. When our  grand-daughters begin to plan their weddings, this will be the single  "AUTHENTIC AUTHORITY" we will use. Thanks again for your entry  into our lives.
640106
A nice connection to Irish Culture through this easy read!
3367438
Considering U.S. President Elect Obama can claim both Kenyan and Irish roots, this book is very timely. The author grew up and now lives in Ireland but apparently spent years in Kenya. This gives her the authority to expertly blend together these two cultures in an engrossing novel. I have read it twice and it never gets old. She makes Kenya come alive with its unique tribal customs and social sratums. She also takes you to rural Ireland, back to the childhood of the main character, Father Ciaran, a missionary priest. There is a near-death experience in this novel second to none. Several plots are seamlessly woven together and by the time the startling conclusion is reached, you are disappointed because you want more. Hopefully there will be a sequel to this unique book.
333194
The Irish American Family Album provides in it's too few pages, a spark of light on the intensely emotional history of Ireland and her children. One could hardly expect an absolute, exhaustive description of the countless people or events that are associated with this topic, yet everyone of Irish  descent that I have shared this book with responds to it that same way.  They slowly turn the pages with great anticipation. Always hoping that the  next page shall help shed more light on their personal family's history of  exil from Ireland to a new life here in America. I have even witnessed a  tear from time to time in the eyes of these readers. It has been said that  we are now witnessing a renaissance of the Celtic spirit and culture. If  this is true, then much thanks is due to books such as The Irish American  Family Album. For this book and others like it shall be the tools of  education for our younger generations. They help to reveal and preserve our  culture and history, a history so vast and long that it spands well into  the darkness of time. Therefore, every spark of light is a true blessing.
4192553
IRISH ON THE INSIDE is a fast-paced, entertaining and lucid look by long-time activist Tom Hayden at the history of the Irish immigrant image and the role of the Irish in American politics/business as well as an excellent survey of the seemingly unsolvable schism between Northern Ireland and the country of Ireland as a whole.

Hayden is somewhat of a fanatic in his style of writing and that only adds a tasty morsel of Irish to the flavor!  He is out to challenge misconceptions of the Irish image (drunken, wild living, fighting, wife beating, lower class citizens) that is a welcome addition to the literature.  Though the numerous famous writers, playwrights, and poets from Ireland have tended to play up the Irish wild side, Hayden looks at history and fact and seeks to prove that though the Irish have definite life ties to their mother country no matter where they emigrate, their contribution to global welfare is a positive.

Hayden spends a lot of this book giving us insight into the history of the longstanding political fighting in Northern Ireland and does so in a manner that is more illuminating than most essayists.  But it is Hayden's feisty commitment to restructuring the worldview of the Irish people that is the most heartwarming and entertaining aspects to this bubbly book. A worthy read, this, no matter what your previous opinions of Tom Hayden's own political career might be!
2614008
The author has written a book that resounds with the history of Ireland and its suffering and depravation! The characters are believable and you become immersed in the story. Great book !
4212441
If you are familiar with Irish emigrant culture it will ring especially  true, but an enjoyable read for all, keeps you interested all the way.
1039998
Jennifer Haigh has not only told a fantastically sad story relevant to today's church struggles and the flock's real pain in losing trust and suffering over charges of molestation by priests in droves, she has done a beautiful job capturing the essence of growing up "Irish", in a Catholic home. Throughout, Haigh underscores so many of the cultural idiosyncrasies of Irish Catholic families, communities and parochial school...and she does so with gentle irony, making it possible to read the novel without feeling as if our people are being attacked needlessly. Yet, in highlighting so many of the shortcomings in Irish Catholic culture, Haigh leaves us to think about our church, blind faith and the risks associated, family secrets so common to us, traditions and their purpose and simply our Priests, the men we have been taught to hold in the highest regard. Faith:A Novel is a book of substance and for me, stark importance.
2305094
What a wonderful book - perfect for those who want to be transported back in time to Ireland in the 1800s, where life was simpler but emigration was nearly always a necessity.  A beautifully constructed memoir based on the journals of the author's Great Grandmother Mary "Hudie" Doherty, it is emotive and thoughtfully written, with great attention to historical accuracy.  The charming local Northern Inishowen dialect of Donegal has been woven throughout the story and you really feel like you can hear and see the characters come to life.  Eva Doherty-Gremmert, the author, has also helpfully provided the reader with a comprehensive glossary of local terminolgy and idioms particular to the area where Mary Doherty lived for over eighty years.

The story begins with Mary grieving the death of her beloved husband Paddy and chronicles her life through the journals that she wrote and studiously hid from her family.  She spent the last three years of her life writing the story of her own experiences from a carefree childhood on the farm to raising her own family.  It was an life experience blighted by the grief of emigration - many of those that left for the States she was never to see again.  However, as a reader I felt that Mary's heroic and stoic qualities shone through in every word and it makes you think that no matter what life throws at you, you CAN manage to live through it.

A fantastic read.....would highly recommend it!
1813413
During a trip to the tiny seaport village of Baltimore in County Cork in Southwest Ireland, I visited the O'Driscoll ancestral castle. I was expecting to see an impressive building. I was not expecting to be taken in a time capsule and transported back to the middle ages (and earlier!).
The time capsule came via a positively mesmerizing book on the history of the castle by Bernie McCarthy. I could not put it down. Through reading it, I discovered, not only the history of the Baltimore castle, but of much of Ireland:  a history which was by turns tumultuous, triumphant, treacherous, and tragic. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of this country.