Against the Tide

by Noel Browne

'One of the most compulsive and moving autobiographies I have ever read...' The Cork Examiner 'A powerful, passionate and often bitter account of life in Ireland from the twenties to the present day...a beautifully written, autobiography. New Hibernia.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Ireland, Politics, Autobiography

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Noel Christopher Browne was an Irish politician and doctor.

Reviews

[Joe Deegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I look at other people's profiles on GoodReads and see that they have a high average rating for books, I think that they're not an honest reviewer, but in my case and my case only, I think its because I only read books that I know are meant to be good. It's hard to give this book 3 stars because the content and 'story' is just so phenomenal, but if Noel Browne had written about anything other than his own fascinating life, his style of writing would probably have stopped me from finishing it.

If you're at all interested in Irish politics, healthcare, or C20th History, this is probably mandatory reading. He covers way more than just the bits that he's really famous for like the Mother and Child Scheme, or how he tackled TB. He hits on society and values in Ireland in the 20s and 30s, his time in Trinity etc (I'm sure he was a member of Biosoc, you'd love to have seen his scandal sheet) and what happened after his time in the Department of Health.

What I would say is that reports of his high estimation of himself are not disproven in this book. He doesn't seem to have many regrets, but he seems to have pissed off quite a lot of people outside the needs of his mission (although to be fair, I wouldn't regret any of the important parts of his life either). He writes in longgggggg sentences and overly archaic (even for when this book was written) and decorative language, so have a dictionary ready. While a groundbreaking politician and a driving force for social change, he's not a phenomenal writer. Saying all that, the pace of the book and the many wildly interesting parts of Irish history he had a hand in outweigh my frustration with his writing. I don't think many people could succinctly cover a normal life in a book this short, let alone a life that was as revolutionary and transformative as Noel Browne's.

It's a good book, and if you don't know enough about 20th C Irish history like I don't, then this is a good bet. It covers a lot of what happened after the civil war but before the troubles, which isn't a period that I've seen widely covered. I'd recommend this.

[Diarmaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grim read which makes the British treatment of the Irish seem dainty, darling and tea at fourish compared to the ferocious, feral and conniving way with which the Irish treated each other. One can only imagine how unbearable life must have been for such a judicious man far ahead of his time as he tried to navigate the mire of Irish life back then. One might argue that the greatest crime perpetuated by the British on the Irish was that they did not shoot DeValera when they had him, pity. A remarkable read, one would wonder how it was received upon publication by the politicians and the diaspora of Holy Roman Eire. A marvellous primary source, which would appear to be all but forgotten, it should be rediscovered so the gothic horrors entailed there in and the macabre atrocities committed in the name of God, St Patrick and the sacred isle are forever remembered and atoned for.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an autobiography of a man who seemed quite disillusioned and indeed embittered with the political and societal conditions prevailing in the Republic of Ireland at the time he was politically active. And with good reason, if what he describes is accurate! I found it quite hard going at the beginning as the poverty in which he grew up was quite appalling, something the vast majority of us do not see these days, although I suspect if we care to look more deeply we will find it. The worst part was the constant disease and illness which he came to know in his family and then encountered as he trained and qualified to be a doctor. It was this that drove him into politics, but he met with a brick wall when he tried to introduce a free health care scheme for mothers and children in the late 1940s/early 1950s as health minister. The main obstacle was the Catholic church hierarchy and the craven obeisance politicians of all stripes around him displayed towards that church. By the end of the narrative he is starting to see changes in Ireland; I suspect he may not have lived long enough to see the huge leaps and bounds Ireland has made in the past twenty years or so.
As for the book itself, I enjoyed the style but at times it does read as a bit of a polemic and he takes few hostages when it comes to criticising fellow politicians of the time who opposed him. You can forgive him for this if what he relates is true - they went out of their way to ostracise him as they felt he was far too dangerous, given that he had incurred the wrath of the Catholic hierarchy. He just wanted to improve life for the poor in Ireland, but they were more concerned for themselves and this meant placating the church at every turn. Have things changed since then? One hopes so but suspects there are now new altars at which the politicians bend the knee, huge multinational corporations for one. A good insight into attitudes in Ireland in the period covered, and the pettiness of Irish politics even at national level.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography of Noël Browne. Made me realise just how much worse Ireland was before I was born. As you might expect given his experience, he is quite an angry man. And it is hard to argue that his anger isn't justified. His analysis of Irish politics is quite depressing, and sadly many of the issues he highlights still exist today. The final point he makes is possibly the most interesting. That our system means that the critical decisions that affect our lives are made by a bunch of untrained amateurs. He has a point....

[Leana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took up this book for the content in chapters 8-11 but was blown away by the rest. Quite inspirational (especially his years as a psychiatrist) - Browne lived according to his principles and fought hard for his beliefs. This book also confirmed that Archbishop McQuaid might have been one of the most evil people to ever live.

[Kerrie O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a few year but this is essential reading for anyone interested in Irish social history. I intend to reread it soon.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally a good book, a little dated style wise. Part memoir part political history of Ireland from the 20s to the 70s.

[ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

incredible book. the damage the catholic church has done to ireland will be felt for a very long time.

[Matthew O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about a man who changed political party more times than I can count. the chapters about medicine really bored me but overall still solid.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likely total fiction, but a gripping read nonetheless.