An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 37 FranK aIKen's war THE IRISH REVOLUTION 1916-1923 author: Matthew Lewis publisher: UCD Press (Aug 2014) www.ucdpress.ie IsBn: 9781906359829 price: €25.20 pages: 250 THE IRISH REVOLUTIONARY period is commonly confined to the years 1916-1923, with an enthusiastic nod given to the precluding years 1913-1915 as the years that shaped nationalistic ideals in men and women and set the stage for what was to become the Irish 'theatre of war'. Lewis, in his introduction, recognises that historians have arrived late at the telling of Ulster's experience of the revolutionary period and thus sets out to construct a personal and localised experience relived through the exploration of rich archival sources which present Aiken during these formative years. Lewis, in presenting this treatment of Frank Aiken, who was a colossal figure of Irish political life and a survivor of the revolutionary period, situates Aiken within the revolutionary period only where there is evidence to support Aiken's place within the books' narrative of events. Lewis goes beyond the locale of Aiken, and recognises the impact of Aiken on areas he visited as a Sinn Fein and an IRA organiser to fractured IRA units in the six counties, and bordering counties during the 1919-1921 period (Louth in particular). Woven throughout this book are topographical, genealogical and ethnographical notices, which all contribute to the presentation of an experience, not just of Aiken himself but perhaps the affected population of the localities Lewis focuses on. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in exploring the life and times of a key player in the revolutionary period, and anyone with an interest in the local history of Armagh and Down during the 1916-1923 period. LD the IrIsh In the amerIcan cIvIl war author: Damian Shiels publisher: The History Press Ireland (1 May, 2014) IsBn: 978-1845887681 price: €18.00 PB / €4.00 eBook pages: 256 DAMIEN SHIELDS TAKES us back to a war that is forgotten in Irish history. With over 200,000 Irishmen fighting in this war, Damien gives us an in depth look at where and who they fought for. From the drive for recruitment in New York for the Union to the man hunt for Abraham Lincoln's killer in Washington DC organised by Roscommon man James O'Beirne. Damien's knowledge and research into the War and in particular the Irish who fought in it is captivating. The stories that are told bring you back into that period of time that no film can portray in the same way, as Damien celebrates the gallantry, sacrifice and bravery of the Irishmen who both gave their lives and survived the American Civil War. I would highly recommend reading this book, not only to the avid war historian but to anyone with a thirst for Irish history on American soil. KB aBout the author Damian Shiels is an archaeologist who specialises in 'conflict archaeology'. He has spent time as a curatorial staff at the National Museum of Ireland, working on the award-winning Soldiers and Chiefs military history exhibition. He runs a website dedicated to the Irish in the American Civil War. http://irishamericancivilwar.com once a soldIer (twIce a hero) author: Phil Tomkins publisher: Mereo Books (June 2014) www.mereobooks.com IsBn: 978-1861511751 / ASIN: B00LRKCY1A price: PB €9.95 / eBook €5.95 pages: 248 ANOTHER GREAT STORY from Phil Tomkins, of how a young Dublin lad becomes a soldier, told by someone who has lived that life – with true emotion all the way. Travis having tried the Irish army and failed, travels to England and joins the highly coveted Parachute Regiment. Here he learns the true calling of soldiering, where his father's failings drive him on. Highly trained in weapons and tactics, he becomes an elite operational soldier. With his baptism of fire on Cyprian soil during its civil war. When he finishes his service with the PARAs, he ventures south and joins the French Foreign Legion, to become the best he can. He sees many a ruthless battle won and lost in the Middle East. Follow Travis as his battles are eventually fought within his sole as he tries to "put the horror and tragedy behind him and find honour, love and peace". Highly recommended reading from the author of: Twice a Hero: From the trenches of the Great War to the ditches of the Irish Midlands 1915 - 1922 (October 2012). WF aBout the author Phil Tomkins, born in Dublin, educated at CBS Westland Row, Dublin, and awarded a BA Hons Degree in Creative Writing by the University of Bolton, Lancashire, England. An ex-elite forces soldier' whose writing reflects his continuing interest in military history. He currently resides in the North of England in semi-retirement with his wife Maree. www.philtomkins.com

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