Who Runs Ireland?: The Story Of Erik That Led Ireland From Bust To Boom And Back

by Matt Cooper

Having money and not having it; making it and losing it; using it and misusing it; giving it and taking it ...this is the story of Ireland during the boom, described in jaw-dropping detail in "Who Runs Ireland? Leading journalist Matt Cooper has consistently broken stories that the powerful would prefer had not been disclosed. Now, he identifies the most powerful people in Ireland during the Celtic Tiger era, describes how they interacted with each other to mutual benefit, and reveals who are the few to retain their power amid the debris arising from the bursting of our economic bubble. In particular, Cooper focuses on the role of new-found wealth in Ireland and examines how the volume of money sloshing about influenced the exercise of power, sometimes in ways that were to the detriment of the larger society. Cooper reveals stories you will not have read before, makes the connections you may not have spotted and provides insights and explanations to stories you may have forgotten that uncover what really goes on.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ireland, Current Affairs, Irish Literature

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd probably give this 4 3/4 stars if I could. Cooper's book is both compelling and appalling. It's a terrible cliche, but it really is like watching a slow motion train wreck. />

The hubris and greed of all the main players would do a Greek tragedy proud, but in this instance thousands of people have lost their life savings and jobs, and it seems as though once again Ireland will be forced to rely on its traditional export - its own people. No one in politics, banking or the supposed industry 'regulators' come out of this well The general eagerness to particpiate in a property bubble meant that all the usual checks and balances - rubbery at the best of times in Ireland - were disregarded in the rush to get rich. />

As a journo, Cooper does a good job of explaining some very complicated financial transactison which were menat to be opaque. Pehaps the only issues is remembering just who is who in this mire - although that's not really Cooper's fault given the cast of rogues - and the occasional tendency to introduce an acronym without a proper explanation.



All in all an excellent if depressing book

[Tony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not interesting . Basically a rehash of media interviews and articles and a tedious compendium of who was who in Ireland during the boom. Nothing new to add by way of insight or analysis. I have only lived in Ireland for 4 years but felt I was re-reading stuff that I already knew regarding the usual suspects - greedy developers, corrupt politicians, inept regulators, etc.