1916: The Mornings After

by Tim Pat Coogan

The 1916 Easter Rising and its aftermath changed Ireland for ever. The British government's execution of 14 republican rebels transformed a group hitherto perceived as cranks and troublemakers into national heroes. Those who avoided the British firing squads of May 1916 went on to plan a new – and ultimately successful – struggle for Ireland's independence, shaping their country's destiny for the century to come. But what sort of country did they create? And to what extent does post-1916 Ireland measure up to the hopes and aspirations of 'MacDonagh and MacBride / And Connolly and Pearse'? Best-selling historian Tim Pat Coogan offers a strongly personal perspective on the Irish century that followed the Rising – charting a flawed history that is marked as much by complacency, corruption and institutional and clerical abuse, as it is by the sacrifices and nation-building achievements of the Republic's founding fathers.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Irish Literature

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2015

About the author

Timothy Patrick Coogan is an Irish historical writer, broadcaster and newspaper columnist. He served as editor of the Irish Press newspaper from 1968 to 1987. Today, he is best known for his popular and sometimes controversial books on aspects of modern Irish history, including The IRA, Ireland Since the Rising, On the Blanket, and biographies of Michael Collins and Éamon de Valera.

Reviews

[Karen Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes into great detail about the government from the 1916 to present date.

Its also speaks on the corruption that took place in Charlie Haughey government, Patrick Bartholomew Ahern aka Bertie Ahern it will leave you feeling sick, angry, helpless and most of all disillusioned in our people in power.

Tim also spoke about the number of tribunal set up over the year for different atrocities that took place to the helpless in Ireland from the Church, schools, banks and government mismanagement of Irish financial.

Tim also looks into the rise for the trouble in Northern Ireland and what was behind it. It was a eye opener for myself as I had no idea why the troubles started and the stories I hear growing up had no basis in the reality.

Must read if you enjoy reading about Historical facts and also getting someone else prospective.

[artu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Well, just as the title says, 1916 - the Mornings After.. Starts off with the Easter rising and continues throughout the 20th century and ends with modern times covering some of the issues Ireland has faced or has been facing ever since. Written as an homage to the 1916 Easter Rising centenary, so don't expect too much history involved although the first part is utterly filled with facts and dates, rather dull and not easy to follow, but then the author goes into criticizing the Church, the government, politicians, the banking system etc and it's there where I got interested in further reading of the book. Author's personal perspective may be too much for some, but it certainly was a great source of information on Ireland for me. And, for a strange reason, now I feel like watching the film on Michael Collins again to refresh my memory :)

[Joe Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. Pretty interesting in places. Author comes across as a woke anti Catholic at times though. A good quarter of the book is spent attacking Catholicism. I wonder what the heroes of 1916 would make of that?

It won't put me off TPC for now. I have another book or two of his to get through. Hopefully the anti Catholic stuff is toned down next time

[Heather G · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out great but got preachy and dry towards the end. I love reading his books and will continue to do so but can't fully recommend this one.

[Dermot O'Brien · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually won’t be finishing this book…. too many timeline innacuracies and polemic diatribes with little supporting evidence. what the f

[Mason Chamblee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provide a good overview how Ireland went from the highs of 1916 revolution and 1920s freedom, to a slows slog to the issues it faces today.