A Coward If I Return, a Hero If I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in WWI
Book Information
- Publisher
- O'Brien Pr
- Published
- 2010-09-15
- Pages
- 368 pages
- Language
- 英語
- Size
- 17.15 x 3.18 x 24.13 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9781847171313
- ISBN-10
- 1847171311
- Price
- 2635 JPY
- Category
- 洋書/History/Europe/Ireland
IRELANDS FORGOTTEN LEGACY In 1914-1918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home. Those that did were scarred for the rest of their lives. Many of these survivors found themselves abandoned and ostracised by their countrymen, their voices seldom heard.The book includes: The first Victoria Cross Leading the way at Gallipoli and the Somme North and South fighting side by side at Messines Ridge Irelands flying aces Brothers-in-arms heart-rending stories of family sacrifice The lucky escapes of some; the tragic end of others The homecoming why there was no heros welcome
Neil Richardson studied Philosophy in University College, Dublin, before writing his first book, A Coward If I Return, A Hero If I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I , which won the Argosy Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year award at the 2010 Irish Book Awards. This was followed by Dark Times, Decent Men: Stories of Irishmen in World War II in 2012, and According to Their Lights: Stories of Irishmen in the British Army, Easter 1916 in 2015. A member of the Reserve Defence Forces, Neil has also written and produced plays with a Great War theme and has made several national television and radio appearances, including as consultant historian on RTÉ television’s centenary programme ‘My Great War’. He recently completed an MA in Military History and Strategic Studies (Maynooth University) and is currently studying for a PhD in History.
Reviews
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I have really enjoyed this book investigating my Irish Granfather’s history. I knew very little about Irish involvement and the changed circumstances in Ireland that they returned to. It is a very readable book with the history of the war written in vivid yet awful detail about its reality. This is brought to life by the stories of individual soldiers who entered the war from different backgrounds and different reasons, often very young. I would recommend it.
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A look at the lives of the many thousands of Irishmen who were written out of Ireland's history ,brilliant part of a new series of books looking at that time period in Ireland
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This book is a real gem. It uncovers long forgotten stories of Irish men who fought and died in the Great War,and also fought and returned to Ireland when hostilities ended. Some of the stories are very moving and is a must for those interested in not only WW1 but also the stories behind the people who fought in it.
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It is tragic that it has taken the Republic of Ireland (of which I am a citizen) so long to recognise the sacrifice of Irish troops in WW1, and their shameful treatment after Independence. This book definitely helps to right that wrong.
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Disjointed and lacking any form of continuity in its presentation. A reasonable knowledge of history does not necessarily mean that you can write on the subject, Mr. Richardson. You also need to know how to tell a story so that the reader can turn the lifeless words into some form of feeling.
Related Literary Awards
- Irish Book Awards Edition 8 (2010) ・Winner