An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/504459
www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 35 Author: Robert J. Savage Publisher: UCD Press (New edition March 2015) www.ucdpress.ie isbn: 978-1906359874 Price: €15.30 Pages: 139 Seán Lemass (1899- 1971), statesman, politician and moderniser is the latest in a line of influential and leading Irish figures to be name checked in the Historical Association of Ireland's Life and Times New Series. The diminutive word count of this title and others within this series is purposeful as it is the intention of the publishers to present short, concise scholarly studies of persons that made a definitive contribution at crucial times in Ireland's past. The intended reader is someone who wants a succinct and well- researched aid to understanding not just the life of the person under investigation, but also their times. In this title, Savage glosses over Lemass's earlier life as an activist and soldier during the revolutionary years, to give way to the legacy affirming part of his story. The main text focuses on Lemass once he became leader of Fianna Fáil in 1959, then Taoiseach and later Minister for Industry and Commerce during successive Fianna Fáil governments. The book charts his political career progression which lead Ireland "out of the economic and social doldrums of the 1950's" and into a modern and swinging 1960s. Savage takes us through Lemass's economic policy, his involvement, or as some would argue, lack of active involvement in dealing with relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, his ability to thaw once frosty Anglo-Irish relations during his tenure as Taoiseach and his pragmatic approach to Church/State relations borne out of his understanding that "the church could easily jeopardise government initiatives" if provoked. Savage exceeds the limitations imposed by a tight word count and no frills presentation by fulfilling the brief to offer a well-rounded and in depth look into Lemass's most influential period of his life. This book would be perfect for anyone wishing to know just a little bit more about Lemass without committing to reading a weighty tome presented in a traditional biographical style. LD seán leMAss hisTORiCAl AssOC OF iRelAnd liFe And TiMes new seRies When the clock struck in 1916 close Quarter coMbat in the easter risinG iRish COAsTAl lAndinGs 1922 Author: Ralph A. Riccio Publisher: Stratus Publications, January 2015 http://mmpbooks.biz isbn: 978-8363678609 Price: €30.00 Pages: 160 Every now and then a book hits the shelf that is unique in the fact that it tells the story of an often overlooked aspect of a military campaign. Irish Coastal Landings 1922 by Ralph A. Riccio is one such publication. This book is a history of Irish National Army coastal landings during the Civil War that enabled the newly established Free State army gain a foothold in parts of the country occupied by Republican forces in the aftermath of the signing of the Treaty with Britain. This book provides details on each of the landings that took place from July to December 1922. The author has researched the landings meticulously and provides the reader with detailed information on the ships used to transport the troops, armoured vehicles and weapons, troop dispositions, major personalities involved and the objectives achieved. The book is well illustrated with many black and white photographs but there are superb coloured scale drawings of all the ships involved in the seaborne operations. In addition to the many period photographs of the landings, troops and transports, the text is also supported by comparative 'then and now' photos of most of the landing sites. These photographs enable the reader to discover an often hidden aspect of Ireland's Civil War that is still there, hidden away amongst almost a century of development. While the landings have often been overlooked or omitted from previous histories on the Irish Civil War, this book has rectified that, and is an important addition to this period in Irish history. A great read. Po'b Authors: Derek Molyneux & Darren Kelly Publisher: The Collins Press, March 2015. www.collinspress.ie isbn: 978-1848892132 Price: €17.99 Pages: 264 As the centenary of the 1916 Rising approaches, books on the subject are being released expeditiously. When the Clock Struck in 1916 – Close Quarter Combat in the Easter Rising by Derek Molyneux and Darren Kelly is a new work that presents the reader with a dramatic account of the events of Easter week. The authors have delved into the witness statements held by Military Archives and have recreated the battles fought in Dublin's streets. The book's opening chapter details the attack on the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park. The detonation of the High Explosives store was to signal the beginning of the insurrection, but due to the fact that the Volunteers were unable to locate the keys for the room, the plan had to be shelved. A smaller explosion did manage to damage the magazine, but if they had succeeded, with the amount of explosives contained within; they might have not only blown up the store, but also themselves with it. Other events such as the shooting of Lieutenant Guy Pinfield at the gates of Dublin Castle, and the carnage encountered by British soldiers at Mount Street Bridge, are vividly portrayed as are the many other battles that took place throughout the city. However, while the book is based on fact, the authors have made use of subjective interpretation and licence that has resulted in a work of creative non-fiction. While not an academic history book, it is a fast paced, graphic retelling of events that will in no doubt appeal to a new generation that will find it an informative yet enjoyable read. PC