What is the best introduction to Irish history up to modern times?

[toxic avenger]

For an objective and non-emotional history of Irish nationalism from the 18th Century until the Treaty, you couldn't do much better than Robert Kee's 'The Green Flag'. It's usually available now in three volumes, 'The Most Distressful Country', 'The Bold Fenian Men', and 'Ourselves Alone'. Robert Kee is a well-known English journalist and broadcaster, one of the 'Famous Five' who started TV-am (with David Frost et al), very good books, albeit written 30-odd years ago...

[Kev408]

I'd recommend Alvin Jackson too. Foster is a bigot. His revisionism has done more harm than good. He seems to hate Ireland.

[Truth.ie]

I had a book in the mid 80s called "Ireland, the key to the British revolution."
written by David Reed.
It was very detailed and covered the era late 60s till early 80s. I assumed the author was Anarchist/ Communist leaning and maybe he was, but this thread made me google the title to see if it was still available.
Seems the Author is now writing books with advice on mortgages etc like "An insiders guide to refinancing your mortgage." and "Who says you can't buy a home."
Very bourgueois!
I still recommend his book on Ireland for understanding the period from civil rights onwards.

[Catalpa]

For an objective and non-emotional history of Irish nationalism from the 18th Century until the Treaty, you couldn't do much better than Robert Kee's 'The Green Flag'. It's usually available now in three volumes, 'The Most Distressful Country', 'The Bold Fenian Men', and 'Ourselves Alone'. Robert Kee is a well-known English journalist and broadcaster, one of the 'Famous Five' who started TV-am (with David Frost et al), very good books, albeit written 30-odd years ago...

Er you are joking I take it?

[Mr Crowley]

For an objective and non-emotional history of Irish nationalism from the 18th Century until the Treaty, you couldn't do much better than Robert Kee's 'The Green Flag'. It's usually available now in three volumes, 'The Most Distressful Country', 'The Bold Fenian Men', and 'Ourselves Alone'. Robert Kee is a well-known English journalist and broadcaster, one of the 'Famous Five' who started TV-am (with David Frost et al), very good books, albeit written 30-odd years ago...

I remember Robert Kee's 'Ireland a television history' being on TV when I was a small child in 1980. The book of the series; 'Ireland a history' was very good as well.

[Catalpa]

There are plenty of good books on Irish History

- just don't fall into the trap of thing there are any that are unbyast.

[Christine Murray]

I really liked this but am unsure if the history would appeal to everyone on the site:
No Ordinary Women by Sinéad McCoole | Spies, snipers, couriers, gun-runners, medics – women played a major role in the fight for Ireland's freedom. This book vividly recreates the characters, personalities and courage of Ireland's revolutionary wom

[toxic avenger]

Er you are joking I take it?

Er... no. It's a great piece of work. Don't tell me, it's not strong enough on the 'national question' and on immigration?

[Rocky]

There are plenty of good books on Irish History

- just don't fall into the trap of thing there are any that are unbyast.

I couldn't agree with that more, every book is bias.

For the 20th Century my favourite book is JJ Lee's Ireland 1912-1985, although I thought he was very harsh on the CnaG, but it is still good and very detailed.

Alvin Jackson's book is quite good as is Foster's and they do go back further.

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

For the 20th Century my favourite book is JJ Lee's Ireland 1912-1985,

For history books I agree. He also devotes several pages in it to discussing the Irish language which should be read by everyone interested in the language. He also recognises the value of the AIA in it.

For those interested in the Provos, Sean O' Callaghan's book and Ed Maloney's "A Secret History Of The IRA" should be read.