The Great Irish Potato Famine [Paperback]

Although many have heard about the "Patato Famine" in Ireland in 1845-1847; they actually know and understand very little about what happened during those few years and more importantly the effects it had on Ireland right up till the end of the 19th Century.

To understand what happened ,it is imperative that one understand the history of Ireland for at least 100 years before and know that Britain ruled totally all aspects of life in Ireland. All the laws,all the land ownership,all the imports and exports,schooling,religion,policeing,social services,government,military,and thus was responsible for things whether physically or with the people,rich,poor or in between;being the way they were when the potato crop was affected with Phytophthora Infestans in 1845 and 1846 and subsequent years.

No other disease in Europe has been written about more than this "Famine" other than The Black Death of the 1350's.As the Black Death changed forever the way of life in Europe,the "Famine" had a similar affect on Ireland.

This book attempts to cover all aspects of the "Famine" and particularly tries to resolve the question of whether the death and devastation had to be as bad as it was; whether Britain was content to allow the country to be ravished,or even if Britain's actions atually magnified the problem.In more blunt words ;"Was there really a Famine or or was it Genocide on the part of Britain?

The book contains a great amount of data,but then again the source of the information is from government controlled records.

One must read between the lines and realize that it was not the wealthy,government officials,the landowners,and the Anglo Irish,that died in huge numbers,lost their land,and emigrated to America;while Britain looked on.

Many other books on this subject leave the question still unanswered.However;that is not the view of many who have concluded what the answer really is.

Donnelly mentioned "The Great Hunger" by Cecil Whoodham-Smith.I have read that book and written a Review on October 26,2003. It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

While Donnelly's book has a great amount of data and facts;it also has a large number of excellent drawings of the period.These line drawings and colored reproductions of paintings depicting life at the time.Of the several other books I've read on the Famine;I can't recall one that is so wll illustrated.

Donnelly doesn't really conclude whether it was a Famine or Genocide--he presents the facts,issues,etc.,and leaves the conclusion to the reader.

Overall,a well researched and written book and an excellent overage of the Famine years and the results it had on Ireland.

I just finished reading Mr. Donnelly's book. Admittedly it is my first one on this subject so I am not sure how it compares to others. The book it well researched, organized and written however, it wasn't what I was looking for. I thought it was interesting, however, that the British government did anything at all to help however, it was not enough, way too late, too eratic and not for long enough with disastrous consquences.

Chapter after chapter there are statistics and percentages for this county or that county and then the same thing is compare to pre-famine years then post famine years and sometimes year by year through out the famine period for instance, the importation of grain products. Too much! If you are looking for personal narratives or local stories or historical consequences around the world, Britain and Ireland this is not your book.

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars