The Easter Rebellion

by Max Caulfield

First published in 1964, "The Easter Rebellion" quickly established itself as the outstanding narrative history of the 1916 Rising in Ireland. It is a thoroughly researched and well-written account of the events of the fateful week, and provides an objective and exciting appraisal of what was perhaps the most decisive week in the making of modern Ireland.
The narrative unfolds as a vivid and explosive drama, building up a picture which, while immensely detailed, is nonetheless presented with the greatest clarity. Historical figures are wonderfully personified, revealing a plotting and fighting mixture of realists and idealists.

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction, Irish Literature

313 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[David Burke-Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating well written and obviously well researched insight into one of Ireland's most important events. Learned a lot.

[Jim Linstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

So detailed and well researched, impossible to put down with the hour by hour description.

[Jan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

It didn't really take 9 years. It just sat on my kindle for years.

Well researched. Very detailed. But interesting.

[Andy Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although 1st published in time for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, Caulfield's readable account has stood the test of time well and remains one of the most lucid and accessible blow-by-blow reconstructions of the fighting during Easter week in Dublin 1916.

There are 1 or 2 niggling details that detract from the authenticity of the book; it is difficult to believe that tired, hungry, desperate rebels knelt in prayer quite so often and some of Caulfield's language suggests that the numbers killed in individual engagements were far higher than the facts portray. However, by far the greatest weakness with the book is revealed by a study of the bibliography. While Caulfield interviewed 49 former insurgents and 67 officers and men of the English regiments who fought, not 1 officer or soldier of an Irish regiment of the British Army was consulted. This is perhaps understandable given the prejudices that prevailed in Ireland towards former soldiers of the British Army at the time of Caulfield's research, but given that the first 2 days fighting was almost wholly between Irishmen on both sides and that some 40% of the British Army's killed during Easter Week were serving in its Irish regiments, this can only be viewed today as a stark absence of balance.

[Bryan Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

The detail in Caulfield’s history of the “rising” is simply amazing. Based extensively on interviews with participants (on all sides), this book’s only fault is that the accounts are so exhaustive that it all becomes overwhelming after awhile and thus a bit difficult to follow. One practically needs to spread out a map of Dublin and keep track of the players as the plot progresses. After about the first hundred pages or so, I gave up trying to follow every move and just let the drama in the detail flow over me. And even this was immensely enjoyable. The stories range from heroics worthy of the finest myths of the American Revolution to atrocities on par with the My Lai massacre. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of “the trouble.”

[Dave Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for those focused on the 5 days of rebellion

At times a, bit of a slog, but worth it and the devil is in the detail. Read on kindle not sure if hard copy has, maps or illustration s, from my limited knowledge of local Dublin geography maps etc would have been a great help. Great starting point for those interested in events of 24th April 1916 and the immediate aftermath.

[Gill]

Full of great anecdotes spliced together from first hand accounts. An easy, enjoyable read so far!

[Tinea · Rating 2 out of 5]

did not finish, very boring minute by minute account.

[Ice Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blow by blow account dispelling some myths