Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #287363 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 399 pages

About the Author
T. Ryle Dwyer is a historian and journalist. He took his PhD at the University of North Texas and lives in Tralee, County Kerry. He has written many books, notably on the period of the War of Independence and the Civil War, and on Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins. He is also an expert on relations between Ireland and the Allies during the Second World War. His Short Fellow: a Biography of Charles J. Haughey, was published by Marino Books in 1999.

Customer Reviews

Kerry's role in the Irish Revolution (1913-1923)
This work deals with Kerry's role in the Irish Revolution that took place between 1913 and 1923. 1913 is taken as the starting date as it was in this year that many volunteer companies were formed which would by 1919 be commonly referred to as the Irish Republican Army or IRA. The year 1923 saw the ending of the Irish Civil War and, with it, the ending of the revolutionary that characterized the years before. The author has already written several biographies of de Valera and Collins, key figures from this period, but this is the first time that he has conducted a detailed study of the social upheaval and violent events which characterized a particular area throughout that period. He helpfully provides the reader at the outset with a year by year summary of the key events that will be discussed in greater detail within the book. At over 400 pages long, his study is a lengthy and valuable contribution to our knowledge of twentieth century Irish history in a local context.

The author offers us a balanced account of the period, and in so doing dispenses with the myth perpetuated by the IRA that they, unlike the British, were nothing less than honourable in their activities during the 1919-1921 war of independence. There was much for both sides to be ashamed of in relation to the latter war. The same, unfortunately, could be said of both sides in the 1922-1923 civil war. As far as the origins of the book are concerned, the author told me that he was initially approached to edit a revised and updated edition of Kerry's Fighting Story, which was published sometime in the late 1940s. The reason for updating it was that the original book only dealt with events leading up to the Truce with Great Britain in July 1921, and ignored both the events surrounding the signing of the Treaty and the subsequent Civil War. He went on to say that having read the latter, he decided that it would be better to totally rewrite it, as opposed to editing and updating it. The book then constitutes an exciting and eminently readable account of events in Kerry during the Irish Revolution, which spanned the years 1913 to 1923.

Account of Kerry's role in the Irish Revolution.
The full title of this work is Tans, and Troubles: Kerry's Real Fighting Story 1913-1923. The author has already written several biogaphies of De Valera and Collins, key figures from this period, but this is the first time that he has conducted a detailed study of the social upheaval and violent events which characterised a particular area during the years under consideration. He also helpfully provides the reader with a year by year summary of the key events that will be discussed in greater detail within the book. At over 400 pages long, his study is a lengthy and valuable contribution to our knowledge of twentieth century Irish history in a local context. As far as the origins of the book are concerned, the author told me that he was initially approached to edit a revised and updated edition of Kerry's Fighting Story, which was published sometime in the late 1940s. The reason for updating it was that the original book only dealt with events leading up to the Truce with Great Britain in July 1921, and ignored both the events surrounding the signing of the Treaty and the subsequent Civil War. He went on to say that having read the latter, he decided that it would be better to totally rewrite it, as opposed to editing and updating it. 1913 is taken as the starting date as it was in this year that many Volunteer companies were formed which would by 1919 be commonly referred to as the Irish Republican Army or IRA. The year 1923 saw the ending of the Irish Civil War and with it the ending of the revolutionary that characterised the years before. The book then consitutes an exciting and eminently readable account of events in Kerry during the Irish Revolution which spanned the years 1913 to 1923.

Kerry's Real Fighting story
A superb book, balanced, full of detail and very well researched. Better by far than the original and highly partisan 'Kerry's Fighting Story' published in the 40's. This new book is well presented and includes - crucially - names and details of the Irish policemen who were so viciously treated by their fellow countrymen. Peter Mc.