A Reading Book in Irish History

by Patrick Weston Joyce

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction

78 pages, Kindle Edition

About the author

Patrick Weston Joyce, or P.W. Joyce, (born 1827) was an Irish historian, writer and music collector, known particularly for his research in local place names of Ireland.

Reviews

[Emilija · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I started this book, I was expecting history, but it’s actually more like fables, or legends. Some were really interesting and engaging, but some were a little boring.

[Cidney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Goodness where to start? Well it began with the milesians and the dendennans I think they were, needless to say millenia ago, then works it way through the fairies, more fairies and then more fairies, and finely up to somewhere in the 1800s. Coupled with lots and lots of poetry, and songs I think they were, none of which made much sense.

None of this seemed at all relevant to me and it glossed over so much of Irish history that I think it wasn't written by an Irishman at all. Dreadful book, deleted it, there are more books on Irish history out there and so much better to boot.

[Caroline Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was free to download and was written in 1900, which gives it a loveliness of language-usage that has disappeared today. It was written for the student. A child's book with links to define words that might not be familiar. It is part early Irish History and part readings - of ancient fables, poetry, romances, ballads, and tales of yore. When I say yore, I mean before recorded history. The author also tells stories of the early Christian Saints of Ireland and how they copied books to build libraries and wrote the history of their times. Irish music is hit upon, somewhat, as well. And the importance of Irish education systems of long ago is exalted and proudly explained to the student.

I'm so happy to have found this book. The names of kings and saints and teachers and poets are invaluable in themselves. The stories are rich and wonderful. I always say that the tales told throughout the ages, before their written record, have more truth to them than we know. All are based on reality and the fact that we have forever repeated the stories and embellished them and enjoyed them around thousands of campfires makes them no less factual to some (lesser or greater) extent. I loved A Reading Book in Irish History.

[David Donaghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a collection of old stories from old times. A must read if you are into Irish history and foklore.

[SJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes I try to be intellectual. It never works out for me.