Finally how to pronounce some of those untranslatable gaelic words.
STILL READING AND ENJOYING.
It is a tough read. This is more a historical presentation of period annals rather than an analysis by McCullough.
Iliked it very much. I have never had any Irish history except from UK history.
This author is not the David McCullough whose books I have read. The difference should have been made known to potential readers.
I was looking forward to a real history by whom I thought was the "real" David McCullough. This is simply a collection/translation of Irish myths, rewritten into modern English.
Purchased this book for my mother in law for Christmas. She is an avid reader - and this is one of her favorite authors.
I did make it through but found it difficult reading, if only because the transcriptions retained the original language. The editor's introductions to the various account of battles and periods were very helpful.
Gave this as a Christmas gift to an avid reader of history. We certainly hope that he enjoys it.
David G. Mccullough fans: Pay attention to the author listed here, David W.
McCullough's book is made up of excerpts from primary sources, mostly Irish, related to major military engagements in Ireland from mythical times to the Battle of Kinsale, which marked the end of Ireland as an independent entity. There are excellent introductions to each of the main periods of Irish history in which the selected battles took place and for each source entry.
I have read several history books on Ireland, and this by far is the best history I have ever seen for this time period. Highly recommended.
Spectacular photos of artifacts, ancient maps and geographic areas around Ireland can be found in[[ASIN:0609809075 Wars of the Irish Kings: A Thousand Years of Struggle, from the Age of Myth through the Reign of Queen Elizabeth I]] by David Willis McCullough. The eleven chapters begin with the mythical wars and warriors and end with the Battle of Kinsale.
Wars of the Irish Kings is a very nice collection of tales and history, if one is interested in Irish lore and history, that is. It can be a bit overly extensive, at times, but I enjoyed it very much and found it fairly easy reading.
