1921 : The Great Novel of the Irish Civil War

Rating:
Summary: Revolution in Ireland -- Sorting it out
Review: 1921 is a dandy -- informative, as well as a great read. Llywelyn clears up the confusion that many experience in trying to sort out the different revolutionary groups in Ireland in the early years of the 20th century, as well as draw the reader into the motives for why Irish men and women divided over the tactics of Arthur Griffith, Patrick Pearse, Michael Collins and Eamon DeValera. Her work is comparable to the efforts of Jose Maria Gironella in reference to the Spanish Civil War. She knows why -- and illustrates why -- good men differed on the tactics to be employed in seeking independence. The reader will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Revolution in Ireland -- Sorting it out
Review: 1921 is a dandy -- informative, as well as a great read. Llywelyn clears up the confusion that many experience in trying to sort out the different revolutionary groups in Ireland in the early years of the 20th century, as well as draw the reader into the motives for why Irish men and women divided over the tactics of Arthur Griffith, Patrick Pearse, Michael Collins and Eamon DeValera. Her work is comparable to the efforts of Jose Maria Gironella in reference to the Spanish Civil War. She knows why -- and illustrates why -- good men differed on the tactics to be employed in seeking independence. The reader will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: a synonym for deceit is the british smile
Review: Another tremendous novel by Morgan , and one of her finest attribures is the linkage of historical fact with the the ethos
of the ungoing fight for freedom for Ireland , and the Irish. For
me, the best part is the overlap, or rather underlying mesh of the works of other artists, by this i mean Joyce and Yeats. This book serves as a valuable document for sources not widely read nor available . Im reading 1949 now to continue and expand my knowledge of those who fought with Collins , and later fought each other for establishment of the Republic against insurmountable odds, and against the will of an empire and a legacy of oppression that still remains an eyesore in the history of modern mankind.

Rating:
Summary: 1921
Review: Few books have had the power to move me as this one has. I couldn't put it down. This book and its lead-in, "1916", have renewed my curiousity about an area of the world that my ancestors were from. While the action is set between 1916 and 1923, the story is full of action and romance and personal stories that make you want to find out more about that whole era. If you're a history buff and are looking for an interesting educational work of fiction, then "1921" is perfect!

Rating:
Summary: 1921
Review: I agree, this was a book that kept me on edge. The historical content was excellent, and the story line kept the book all too real, to the point that I felt geniune angre and heart ache through many portions of the book. I too would very much like to continue the story, and I am quite anxious for the next bit of history! As I told everyone about this book, it feeds my passion and stirs a hunger!

Rating:
Summary: 1921
Review: I am astonished at PW's thinking this latest work of Llywelyn's went into too much detail. I just finished 1921 and found it every bit as fascinating and compelling, as unforgetable, as 1916. She takes a very complicated situation, many historical events and by using Henry Moody as an observer, helps to clarify what happened, why it happened, the motivations and feelings, the fears and the almost incomprehensible tradgedy of the civil war. Henry Moody serves as a continuous thread, and helps bring a cohesivness to the story; but more than that he helps the reader to understand the very important emotions, and men that drove so many events. I had recently read a bio of De Valera, and thanks to 1921, I was better able to "fit" him into the total picture. I found it both fun and helpful to find the places on the map that were described. I think she pulls it all together and still manages to encompass a magnitude of historical events and the people involved. Tedious? Hardly!! The only ambivalence I felt was not being able to put it down, yet at the same time not wanting it to end~~~~I cannot WAIT for her next one!

Rating:
Summary: Kid Gloves
Review: I am extremely impressed with the condition of this book. I did not expect to receive a book of this age in such great shape. I am not sure if I want to read it for fear of turning it into a used book. The book arrived very soon after ordering...not the standard fare. Packed with care, the book arrived beautifully.

Rating:
Summary: Kid Gloves
Review: I am extremely impressed with the condition of this book. I did not expect to receive a book of this age in such great shape. I am not sure if I want to read it for fear of turning it into a used book. The book arrived very soon after ordering...not the standard fare. Packed with care, the book arrived beautifully.

Rating:
Summary: The fictional Henry Mooney adds verisimilitude to the histry
Review: I found the book unputdownable. Colorful prose with many Irish idioms. Good insights into the historic events of the period. The cast of characters, both fictional and historical, listed at beginning of book was so helpful. More authors should use this feature.

Rating:
Summary: The fictional Henry Mooney adds verisimilitude to the histry
Review: I found the book unputdownable. Colorful prose with many Irish idioms. Good insights into the historic events of the period. The cast of characters, both fictional and historical, listed at beginning of book was so helpful. More authors should use this feature.