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13 April 2006 Edition

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1916 - 2006: Books on the 1916 Rising and related issues

As recommended by An Phoblacht columnist and historian SHANE MacTHOMÁIS

The Easter Rebellion by Max Caulfield (Gill and Macmillan) . First published in 1963, the author obtained much first-hand material from surviving participants. Well written and a great read but lacking an analytical perspective.

The Insurrection in Dublin by James Stephens. It is an excellent account of how the average citizen felt during the Rebellion and is highly recommended.

Last Words published by the Office of Public Works . Should be seen as a companion volume to From Behind a Closed Door, as it contains the last letters, statements and first-hand witness accounts of the final days and hours of the 16 executed leaders. Poignant, inspiring and essential reading.

When History Was Made: the Women of 1916 by Ruth Taillon . This pioneering book is the first general account of women's participation in the Rising. Contains list of all the women on the rebel side the author could trace.

1916: The Easter Rising by Tim Pat Coogan (Cassell) . This splendid book of photographs taken during and after the Rising is a visual feast

Seán Mac Diarmada: the mind of the revolution by Gerard Mac Atasney (Drumlin). An in-depth and fascinating account of this an extraordinary revolutionary.

The Easter Rising: a guide to Dublin in 1916 by Conor Kostick and Lorcan Collins (O'Brien). These two expert guides take the reader around the places associated with the Rising. Plenty of history, anecdotes, illustrations and maps.

The 1916 Proclamation by John O'Connor. John O'Connor recounts the birth of this historic document which was to become one of the cornerstones of Republicanism

  • Why was it necessary?
  • Who wrote it?
  • Who secretly printed it and where?
  • How was it distributed?
  • How many exist?
  • How would you know an authentic print?

Down Dublin Streets, by Eamonn Mac Thomáis. Down Dublin Streets was one of a number of books penned by Eamonn that tell history as it was remembered - a living history. This isn't an academic history, a reference book or an analysis of the events of the past, this is the history of the Rising as heard by or told to Eamonn and hundreds of thousands of Dubliners

These books are available from

www.sinnfeinbookshop.com

NEW SHOP NOW OPEN

58 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

Tel: (01) 8726100

SHOP OPENING HOURS: 10 - 6 Monday to Saturday

Out of print, but worth looking out for

1916 as History: the myth of the blood sacrifice by C Desmond Greaves (Fulcrum Press). Pamphlet that dispels some of the revisionist myths surrounding the Rising.

From Behind a Closed Door: Secret Court Martial records of the 1916 Easter Rising by Brian Barton (Blackstaff). First publication of the court martial records (2002) with a biographical chapter on each of the 15 executed men, plus one on Sir John Maxwell. A must.


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