Ireland, 1912-1985: Politics and Society - Softcover

Lee, Joseph J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521377412 ISBN 13: 9780521377416

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1990

Synopsis

This is the first major study on this scale of Irish performance, North and South, in the twentieth century. Although stressing the primacy of politics in Irish public affairs, it argues that Irish politics must be understood in the broad context of economic, social, administrative, cultural, and intellectual history. The book fully explores the relationship between rhetoric and reality in the Irish mind and views political behavior largely as a product of collective psychology. "The Irish experience" is placed firmly in a comparative context. The book seeks to assess the relative importance of British influence and of indigenous impulses in shaping an independent Ireland, and to identify the relationship between personality and process in determining Irish history. Particularly close attention is paid to individuals such as Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, W.T. Cosgrove, Sir James Craig, J.J. McElligott, Sean Lemass, Terence O'Neill, and Ian Paisley, and to the limits within which even the most powerful personalities were forced to operate.

About this title

Book Description:

Although it stresses the primacy of politics in Irish public affairs, this study argues that Irish politics must be interpreted within the broader context of economic, social, administrative, cultural and intellectual history.

Review:

"This excellent study provides a comprehensive account of all economic, cultural and political developments in Ireland rom 1912 to 1985. As such it is a valuable reference book to this period fo Irish history." Irish Echo

"...a detailed, analytical study of 20th-century Ireland, North and South, that is of major importance." C.W. Wood, Jr., Western Carolina University, in Choice

"This book constitutes a major scholarly achievement for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it is the first time anyone has produced a detailed and comprehensive history of twentieth century Ireland...Lee's work does all the things that a good general history should do, and then some." British Politics Group

"A seminal, thoroughly researched study of modern Ireland. Immensely readable." Irish Edition

"The book will have admirers and detractors but few will dispute the historiographical impact it will have upon historical monographs for at least another generation. And that has been Lee's enviable hallmark." Irish Literary Supplement.

"Ireland 1912-1985 is a perceptive and at times brilliant analysis of Ireland's performance as an independent nation. It teems with insights on everything from popular mentalities to the rise of the historical profession in Ireland. Despite its massive size, it is never boring....no one seriously interested in the history of Ireland in the twentieth century will want to miss this book." Albion

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0521377412
• ISBN 13: 9780521377416
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 778