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From the 1916 Rising, the troubled Treaty negotiations and the Civil War, right through to his retirement after a longer period in power than any other 20th-century leader, Eamon de Valera has both defined and divided Ireland. He was directly responsible for the Irish Constitution, Fianna Fail (the largest Irish political party) and the Irish Press Group. He helped create a political church-state monolith with continuing implications for Northern Ireland, the social role of women, the Irish language and the whole concept of an Irish nation. Many of the challenges he confronted are still troubling the peace of Ireland and of Britain, and some of the problems are his legacy. This biography is by the author of "Michael Collins".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Much of Irish hsitory is dominated by fictions that have masked the many tragic errors of Irish leaders of the past. This book is an important contribution to the process of uncovering these fictions and for Ireland to face the realities of a past dominated by leaders who have been inexperienced in politics and diplomacy, inept military commanders, but still masters of courage and vision.
Coogan's work does much to expose the futility of De Valera's opposition to the treaty and reveal a personality that was driven by a hunger for power and pride, as much as any desire to contribute to the good of the Irish nation. However, the potency of De Valera's mistique exptraploated itself to becoming the cornerstone of Ireland's identity up to the 1970's, even though most of the key actions that developed Ireland's society were in fact taken by other people. He never won any war, conducted successful negotiations, declared a republic or engendered a trully democratic society based on his own phrase of "natural justice". His only positive legacy has been the constitution of 1937 - trully a gifted piece of work.
Coogan's work is a masterpiece in that it skillfully and objectively deconstructs the fictions to expose the man. In my opinion, this is a book that should be read by anyone who claims an interest or an understanding of today's Ireland's so that they have the opportunity to check the reality against perceived history.
It is clear that the quality of Coogan's research, writing and perspecive will allow this book to become the authoritative work on Eamon De Valera.
From a personal standpoint, I come from a family that, from both my mother's and father's sides, devoted themselves to Dev through their participation in the Civil War and a life-long devotion to the Fianna Fail party, even long after Dev was dead. Therefore you will understand that I have grown up with the myth of De Valera and all he supposedly represented. You will further understand that I very much appreciate the truth in all its forms. With that in mind, I wish to offer my great thanks to Tim Pat Coogan on enlightening me as to the truth of my family's past - whether they realised it or not.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Coogan's book is more than a biography of De Valera and his shaping of 20th century Irish politics. It is a warning to all nations that political allegiances grounded in personality cults are bound to lead to intolerance of dissension. Differences opinion are unforgiveable disloyalities in de Valera's political milieu. To ensure his grip on Irish culture, de Valera fabricated a view of the nation, and defined what it meant to be Irish in exclusively sectarian terms. The book is fair and balanced on his strengths and weaknesses (very many). A great work and a great read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an enormous book and not a light read either.
I don't think it would be fair to say it is especially balanced; Mr Coogan is clearly no fan of de Valera. In Coogan's defence, he is able to make a pretty strong argument for the prosecution.
The sources are extremely extensive and well referenced. There is the odd allusion to 'private sources' or similar which I personally don't think have any place in a book. If the reader isn't able to check the veracity of a source independently, it isn't a source.
The prose style is readable even if, at times, the author is prone to lapsing into his trademark 'Oirishness'. I have attempted to read other books by Coogan (notably the Collins biography mentioned by another reviewer above) and, frankly, given up in irritation at his style and the brashness of his agenda. At times, Coogan gets away from a forensic discussion of his subject and lets his own prejudices show through. I found the suggestion that Roosevelt deliberately withheld intelligence about the impending Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in order to spur his country to war in support of the British startling and offensive. I would be interested to see how that goes down amongst Coogan's readership in the USA.
It would be up to the reader to make his own mind up about De Valera's legacy in Ireland. There is no real denying De Valera's impact on the country he dominated almost as a personal fiefdom for so long. His reputation has certainly been tarnished in recent years; even to the extent of his being labelled a British spy in one book. Make your own mind up about that one.
I can't say this book is the definitive modern work on De Valera as I have read nothing else. Personally this book gave me all I need to know about De Valera and I won't be seeking out a counter balancing view. Diarmaid Ferriter wrote a book published in 2007 that is apparently less back and white in its assessment of the man.
I don't think it would be fair to say it is especially balanced; Mr Coogan is clearly no fan of de Valera. In Coogan's defence, he is able to make a pretty strong argument for the prosecution.
The sources are extremely extensive and well referenced. There is the odd allusion to 'private sources' or similar which I personally don't think have any place in a book. If the reader isn't able to check the veracity of a source independently, it isn't a source.
The prose style is readable even if, at times, the author is prone to lapsing into his trademark 'Oirishness'. I have attempted to read other books by Coogan (notably the Collins biography mentioned by another reviewer above) and, frankly, given up in irritation at his style and the brashness of his agenda. At times, Coogan gets away from a forensic discussion of his subject and lets his own prejudices show through. I found the suggestion that Roosevelt deliberately withheld intelligence about the impending Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in order to spur his country to war in support of the British startling and offensive. I would be interested to see how that goes down amongst Coogan's readership in the USA.
It would be up to the reader to make his own mind up about De Valera's legacy in Ireland. There is no real denying De Valera's impact on the country he dominated almost as a personal fiefdom for so long. His reputation has certainly been tarnished in recent years; even to the extent of his being labelled a British spy in one book. Make your own mind up about that one.
I can't say this book is the definitive modern work on De Valera as I have read nothing else. Personally this book gave me all I need to know about De Valera and I won't be seeking out a counter balancing view. Diarmaid Ferriter wrote a book published in 2007 that is apparently less back and white in its assessment of the man.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The dominant figure of 20th century Irish history
De Valera was in power as Irish prime minister from 1932 to 1959,with one or two interruptions.He then became president till his death. Read more
Published 17 months ago by PygmyTwylyte
Not The Ireland of Legend
"Eamon DeValera: The Man Who Was Ireland" tells the story of the "The Tall Fellow" whose shadow covered nearly a century of Irish history. Read more
Published 20 months ago by James Gallen
Dissapointingly inferior to his book on Michael Collins.
As an ex-Editor of The Irish Press(a paper founded by De Velara)you might have expected a different perspective from TPC. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2001
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