
Birthright
The True Story that Inspired Kidnapped
A. Roger Ekirch(Author)
WW Norton & Co (Publisher)
Published on 12. February 2010
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-393-06615-9 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
No saga of personal hardship so captivated the British public in the eighteenth century as the turbulent life of James Annesley, the presumptive heir of five aristocratic titles and scion of the mighty house of Annesley. Kidnapped at twelve years of age by his uncle, "Jemmy" was shipped from Dublin to America in 1728 as an indentured servant. Only after twelve more years did he at last escape, returning to Ireland to bring his blood rival, the Earl of Anglesea, to justice in one of the epic trials of the century.
How, in an age without DNA laboratories or fingerprint records, could a prodigal hope to prove his identity, let alone his legitimacy, after such a long absence-all the while defying accusations of being a "pretender," the bastard son of a maidservant, plus repeated attempts on his life? Bursting with an improbable cast of characters, from a brave Dublin butcher and a wily Scot to the king of England, Birthright evokes in vivid detail the volatile world of Georgian Ireland-complete with its violence, debauchery, ancient rituals, and tenacious loyalties.
Drawing on exhaustive research in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and America-including an intensive investigation of court transcripts and innumerable, rarely seen legal depositions-A. Roger Ekirch brilliantly resurrects an extraordinary family drama of betrayal and loss, but also resilience, survival, and redemption.
How, in an age without DNA laboratories or fingerprint records, could a prodigal hope to prove his identity, let alone his legitimacy, after such a long absence-all the while defying accusations of being a "pretender," the bastard son of a maidservant, plus repeated attempts on his life? Bursting with an improbable cast of characters, from a brave Dublin butcher and a wily Scot to the king of England, Birthright evokes in vivid detail the volatile world of Georgian Ireland-complete with its violence, debauchery, ancient rituals, and tenacious loyalties.
Drawing on exhaustive research in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and America-including an intensive investigation of court transcripts and innumerable, rarely seen legal depositions-A. Roger Ekirch brilliantly resurrects an extraordinary family drama of betrayal and loss, but also resilience, survival, and redemption.
Reviews / Votes
"Starred Review. Ekirch out-kidnaps Stevenson in this thrilling, thoroughly documented story. A perfect mix of true crime and real-life adventure." -- Booklist "Ekirch does a masterful job of detailing these events in this meticulously researched and highly readable narrative. Concisely written and well documented, this fascinating book will appeal to both serious readers and general history buffs." -- Library Journal "An engrossing familial and legal tale told with dash and clarity." -- Kirkus Reviews "Ekirch's book brings the story brilliantly to life and vividly reconstructs the violent and debt-ridden world in which disreputable aristocrats operated." -- Sunday Times [London] "A splendid story of low skullduggery and high politics, and Roger Ekirch deserves congratulation for disinterring it. As befits an eminent historian, his research is detailed and the evidence carefully weighed." -- The SpectatorMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Illustrations
26 illustrations; 3 maps
Dimensions
Height: 218 mm
Width: 147 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
434 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-393-06615-9 (9780393066159)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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Book
08/2011
WW Norton & Co
€44.76
Article not available at the moment
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2010
W. W. Norton & Company
€15.49
Available for download
Person
A. Roger Ekirch is a professor of history at Virginia Tech and the award-winning author of At Day's Close, Birthright, and American Sanctuary. He lives in Roanoke, Virginia.