Seán Lemass: Democratic Dictator

by Bryce Evans

Seán Lemass enjoys unrivalled acclaim as the 'Architect of Modern Ireland'. Yet there remain great gaps in our knowledge of this mythic figure and his golden age. Up to now Lemass, a colossus of twentieth-century Irish history, was airbrushed to fit a narrative of national progress. Today, this narrative is undergoing an agonising reappraisal. This groundbreaking study reveals the man behind the myth and asks questions previously skirted around. What emerges is an authoritarian, cunning, workaholic patriot; a shrewd political tactician whose impatience lay not just with the old Ireland, but with democracy itself. This is the untold story of a great man and his lasting impact on a nation's imagination.

Genres: History

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

Bryce Evans is Associate Professor in History at Liverpool Hope University in England,

Reviews

[B Mur · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and enjoyable read. The book gives a very good impression of what Sean Lemass was like, highlighting his dictatorial tendencies during his time in the department of industry and commerce. The book provides a more thorough, paced exploration of his time in that department and in opposition than it does of his time as Taoiseach. I would, to a certain extent, agree with the author’s conclusions that the view of Lemass should be more nuanced than his popularity would suggest. The book provides a really interesting and well-laid out exploration of how a politicians views can change over time.

The threads of Lemass’ career are very well connected here, leading to the opportunity to gain an enhanced understanding of his views, career and legacy as a whole.

[William Sherlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable but seemed to end in a rush

It was very readable but ended in a rush, with little discussion of what Lemass actually did as as prime minister. One huge missing item was that of the introduction of free secondary education in Ireland, which over the next generation changed Ireland forever.