The Road Wet the Wind Close: Celtic Ireland

Rating:
Summary: An overlooked masterpiece!
Review: I tripped over this book at my public library a few years ago but did not have the sense to recognize the genius behind this book. I just re-read "The Road Wet" for the second time and it is a veritible masterpiece of both history and insight into Ireland, a place that I know quite well, but never as well as Roy. The photographs are extraordinarily good, quite unselfconscious yet graphically powerful. And, I myself am a photographer & author of a book on Ireland ("The Irish File: Images from a Land of Grace" Rizzoli/2002). I am envious of Roy's journey to Skellig Michael, his photos of the place and his experiences there. His chapter on St. Patrick is witout peer; ditto for the history ot Tara.
Why this book seems to be out-of-print is a mystery. If you can, get this book and read it. You will have a much better understanding of Irish history and culture. I will say the same for Jame's newer books "The Fields of Athenry" and "The Back of the Beyond", both wonderful reads packed with history written in a flowing and interesting way. The guy can write!!! As well as make photographs!! Finally, I just ordered two more of Roy's books, including "The Road Wet", from the used books connection via amazon.com.

Rating:
Summary: An overlooked masterpiece!
Review: I tripped over this book at my public library a few years ago but did not have the sense to recognize the genius behind this book. I just re-read "The Road Wet" for the second time and it is a veritible masterpiece of both history and insight into Ireland, a place that I know quite well, but never as well as Roy. The photographs are extraordinarily good, quite unselfconscious yet graphically powerful. And, I myself am a photographer & author of a book on Ireland ("The Irish File: Images from a Land of Grace" Rizzoli/2002). I am envious of Roy's journey to Skellig Michael, his photos of the place and his experiences there. His chapter on St. Patrick is witout peer; ditto for the history ot Tara.
Why this book seems to be out-of-print is a mystery. If you can, get this book and read it. You will have a much better understanding of Irish history and culture. I will say the same for Jame's newer books "The Fields of Athenry" and "The Back of the Beyond", both wonderful reads packed with history written in a flowing and interesting way. The guy can write!!! As well as make photographs!! Finally, I just ordered two more of Roy's books, including "The Road Wet", from the used books connection via amazon.com.