Product Description

From the 1916 Rising, the troubled Treaty negotiations and the Civil War, right through to his retirement after a longer period in power than any other 20th-century leader, Eamon de Valera has both defined and divided Ireland. He was directly responsible for the Irish Constitution, Fianna Fail (the largest Irish political party) and the Irish Press Group. He helped create a political church-state monolith with continuing implications for Northern Ireland, the social role of women, the Irish language and the whole concept of an Irish nation. Many of the challenges he confronted are still troubling the peace of Ireland and of Britain, and some of the problems are his legacy. This biography is by the author of "Michael Collins".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151073 in Books
• Published on: 1995-09-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 800 pages

Customer Reviews

Well written authoritative debunking of an Irish autocrat
Coogan's book is more than a biography of De Valera and his shaping of 20th century Irish politics. It is a warning to all nations that political allegiances grounded in personality cults are bound to lead to intolerance of dissension. Differences opinion are unforgiveable disloyalities in de Valera's political milieu. To ensure his grip on Irish culture, de Valera fabricated a view of the nation, and defined what it meant to be Irish in exclusively sectarian terms. The book is fair and balanced on his strengths and weaknesses (very many). A great work and a great read.

A must read for those interested in modern Irish history
Much of Irish hsitory is dominated by fictions that have masked the many tragic errors of Irish leaders of the past. This book is an important contribution to the process of uncovering these fictions and for Ireland to face the realities of a past dominated by leaders who have been inexperienced in politics and diplomacy, inept military commanders, but still masters of courage and vision.

Coogan's work does much to expose the futility of De Valera's opposition to the treaty and reveal a personality that was driven by a hunger for power and pride, as much as any desire to contribute to the good of the Irish nation. However, the potency of De Valera's mistique exptraploated itself to becoming the cornerstone of Ireland's identity up to the 1970's, even though most of the key actions that developed Ireland's society were in fact taken by other people. He never won any war, conducted successful negotiations, declared a republic or engendered a trully democratic society based on his own phrase of "natural justice". His only positive legacy has been the constitution of 1937 - trully a gifted piece of work.

Coogan's work is a masterpiece in that it skillfully and objectively deconstructs the fictions to expose the man. In my opinion, this is a book that should be read by anyone who claims an interest or an understanding of today's Ireland's so that they have the opportunity to check the reality against perceived history.

It is clear that the quality of Coogan's research, writing and perspecive will allow this book to become the authoritative work on Eamon De Valera.

From a personal standpoint, I come from a family that, from both my mother's and father's sides, devoted themselves to Dev through their participation in the Civil War and a life-long devotion to the Fianna Fail party, even long after Dev was dead. Therefore you will understand that I have grown up with the myth of De Valera and all he supposedly represented. You will further understand that I very much appreciate the truth in all its forms. With that in mind, I wish to offer my great thanks to Tim Pat Coogan on enlightening me as to the truth of my family's past - whether they realised it or not.

Dissapointingly inferior to his book on Michael Collins.
As an ex-Editor of The Irish Press(a paper founded by De Velara)you might have expected a different perspective from TPC. However following his biography of Collins the views expressed in the book weren't too much of a surprise.What was surprising is how petty,childish and poorly written it sometimes seems.I bought it cheap from a remainder shop in Greenwich,after reading it I understood why it was being flogged off for a few pounds. The author is a good writer and an interesting character and not necessarily wrong about De Valera but the book's not much cop. The one on Collins, now that's a better read.