Ireland: A Very Peculiar History™

by Jim Pipe

From traditional dances and dishes to words of wit and wisdom, Ireland : A Very Peculiar History™ takes a lively look at the Emerald Isle. Starting with the earliest inhabitants, it celebrates the country’s cultural achievements and colorful history, and recounts the turbulent political events that have helped shape today’s Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. A timeline, background on Celtic names, and a recipe round out this fascinating little book. 

Genres: Nonfiction, History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jim Pipe studied Ancient & Modern History at Oxford University, then spent ten years in publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He has written numerous non-fiction books for children, many on historical subjects. He lives in Dublin, Ireland, with his lovely wife Melissa and his twin sons.

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This St. Patrick's Day, I decided to take on a new strategy of taking on the giant stack of Irish books I gathered on my visit there a few years ago. Instead of doing the Wild Irish Women method I did where I attempted to read it for an entire year, I decided I would try and binge read at least two on the actual day to celebrate the holiday and also just try and get my actual book count down. I don't think it actually worked, but I tried.

I guess from the title I was expecting things to be a bit more...peculiar? I wanted kooky stories and facts and just some fun takes on history. Instead, I got some history...but it was kind of dry and boring. There were some things that I was like, ooh, that's super interesting, but most of the time the writing was a bit too dry or boring from me to find the facts or keep my interest. The little snippets/asides got confusing as well.

It wasn't bad and there were a few good parts that I was super invested in, but overall, I didn't found it to be peculiar or very fun as what I was expecting.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quirky, informative, and generally delightful "CliffsNotes" of Irish history and culture. Thoroughly entertaining and well worth the read.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought it was fine until I reached page 162 having bloody Sunday consist of no more than 3 lines on the page is bad enough but to not mention the 1920 bloody Sunday and make out like the 1972 bloody Sunday is the only one when there are in fact four bloody Sundays in Irish history is sneaky and untrue, but bloody Sunday 1920 has to be the most important and this book never mentions it not even in the timeline of events, this is a sinister rewriting of Irish history and of what the British did to the Irish.
Bloody Sunday 1920: A mixed force of RIC and Auxiliaries raided a Gaelic football match at Croke Park, once inside the grounds they opened fire indiscriminately and killed some 14 people – one of them a player. Another three republican prisoners, Peadar Clancy, Dick McKee and Conor Clune, were also murdered in Dublin Castle that night, supposedly, “while trying to escape”.
This is an important event in Irish history that should not be forgotten nor excluded from any Irish history book.

[Mary Marsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up 'Ireland, A Very Peculiar History,' in a tourists' shop for it's attractive cover and beautiful illustrations three years ago while escorting a group of high-schoolers through Dublin. I could easily say that that was when I began reading this little hardback, three long years ago, thinking it would make a great gift, just wanting the skim through the trivia and tales. It didn't turn out that way. The 'NO added Blarney' that appears on the cover is no joke. Rather than a pleasant quick read, this is a mightily dense book packed with intensity and detail covering the turbulent and bloody historical timeline from the first inhabitants of the Emerald Isle to Ireland's most current achievements and cause for attention. Although this book would have made a good gift after my return to Spain, I've decided it's a 'keeper' for my own shelves.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up in Ireland to be a fun reference as we toured, which it was. Then, a couple weeks ago, as I was putting away things from the trip, I picked it up to read on my treadmill, start to finish. What a history! (Love Love Love Ireland—I expected to enjoy touring there, but I was overwhelmed by the kind, friendly, thoughtful people we encountered everywhere we stopped! Lovely. )

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lived in Ireland few years ago and thus book made me feel so nostalgic! I loved to learn more about the history of our emerald island and to know a little bit more about curious facts. This is a must read book for those who love Ireland 🇮🇪

[Heather Forensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good brief and indulging history of Irish Culture.