Irish History For Dummies

From Norman invaders, religious wars--and the struggle forindependence--the fascinating, turbulent history of a torturednation and its gifted people When Shakespeare referred to England as a "jewel set in a silversea," he could just as well have been speaking of Ireland. Not onlyhas its luminous green landscape been the backdrop for bloodyCatholic/Protestant conflict and a devastating famine, Ireland'sgreat voices--like Joyce and Yeats--are now indeliblypart of world literature. In Irish History For Dummies,readers will not only get a bird's-eye view of key historicalevents (Ten Turning Points) but, also, a detailed,chapter-by-chapter timeline of Irish history beginning with thefirst Stone Age farmers to the recent rise and fall of the Celtictiger economy. In the informal, friendly For Dummies style, the bookdetails historic highs like building an Irish Free State in the1920s--and devastating lows (including the Troubles in the'60s and '70s), as well as key figures (like MP Charles Parnell andPresident Eamon de Valera) central to the cause of Irishnationalism. The book also details historic artifacts, offbeatplaces, and little-known facts key to the life of Ireland past andpresent. * Includes Ten Major Documents--including the Confession ofSt. Patrick, The Book of Kells, the Proclamation of the IrishRepublic, and Ulysses * Lists Ten Things the Irish Have Given the World--includingIrish coffee, U.S. Presidents, the submarine, shorthand writing,and the hypodermic syringe * Details Ten Great Irish Places to Visit--including Cobh,Irish National Stud and Museum, Giants Causeway, and Derry * Includes an online cheat sheet that gives readers a robust andexpanded quick reference guide to relevant dates and historicalfigures * Includes a Who's Who in Irish History section ondummies.com With a light-hearted touch, this informative guide sheds lighton how this ancient land has survived wars, invasions, uprisings,and emigration to forge a unique nation, renowned the world overfor its superb literature, music, and indomitable spirit.