The reigning master of grand historical fiction returns with the stirring conclusion to his bestselling Dublin Saga.
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reviews
Mar 06, 2009
Liz
rated it: 
Tells the peculiar history of Ireland through 2 long books. The first, Princes of Ireland, is fabulous, old tribes, princes feuds and the obligatory pair of flashing green eyes that threads through both books and centuries! I listened to this one, very entertaining and informative. I understand more of the "troubles".
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Mar 20, 2008
Charlotte
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I loved this book! In fact, I loved the two book series. As one who studies Irish culture and history, I found this series of books to be not only entertaining, but educational, as well. Though not as dearly loved as Trinity by Leon Uris (lets face it, no one can beat Conor Larkin as an Irish hero,)this book covers that same period of time with a few additional centuries thrown in. I did find that I had to review the family tree on several occasions, as the multiple family connections became
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Aug 11, 2010
Tim
rated it:
Nice chronicle covering three centuries of Ireland's past right up to the Easter uprising in 1916 and the island's independence in 1921.
Rutherfurd's history sweepers are engrossing and challenging (Sarum, Russka). This one is no exception. I knew about the Catholic and Protestant divide over the centuries, but had no idea just how convoluted, murky, and ultimately intertwined it was. Family landlords, Old English Gentry, the Ascendancy, name changes, families deliberately deciding to More...
Rutherfurd's history sweepers are engrossing and challenging (Sarum, Russka). This one is no exception. I knew about the Catholic and Protestant divide over the centuries, but had no idea just how convoluted, murky, and ultimately intertwined it was. Family landlords, Old English Gentry, the Ascendancy, name changes, families deliberately deciding to More...
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Oct 02, 2009
Jean
rated it: 
A three hundred year saga of several families trying to survive the political, religious and economic tides of southern Ireland. The book takes place mainly in a small village south of Dublin called Rathconan. The author covers so much history that I had to read the book twice. Otherwise I would give it a higher rating, but much I did not grasp the first time through. The fictional families continue to surface during each historic period in this saga, but their stories are very probable of th
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Jul 29, 2011
Manu
rated it:
The second part of Rutherford's Ireland saga. Starting in 1597 and ending in 1922, it continues to trace the life and times of the six families first presented in Dublin, and adds a few more. It starts with the Reformation, the arrival of Oliver Cromwell and the Ascendancy.
Rutherford, as usual, combines the lives of fictitious and real characters, like Henry Grattan and Daniel O'Connell, and tackles the famine, Home Rule movement etc to present a picture that justifies what might have been the More...
Rutherford, as usual, combines the lives of fictitious and real characters, like Henry Grattan and Daniel O'Connell, and tackles the famine, Home Rule movement etc to present a picture that justifies what might have been the More...
Nov 21, 2010
Bunxena
rated it:
A wholehearted four stars for the sequel to the very good The Princes of Ireland. I probably enjoyed Rebels slightly more than Princes because I had Princes to warm up with and become accustomed to Rutherfurd's style and storytelling method.
This book covers the period between 1534 and the 1920s, ending with the creation of the Irish Free State. There's a lot of ground to cover, particularly in the 1700s, but Rutherfurd's writing smoothly moves along through the ages and you hardly noti More...
This book covers the period between 1534 and the 1920s, ending with the creation of the Irish Free State. There's a lot of ground to cover, particularly in the 1700s, but Rutherfurd's writing smoothly moves along through the ages and you hardly noti More...
Apr 29, 2009
Patsy
rated it:
This sweeping (and I mean sweeping) epic of Irish history is the 2nd in a series. It's very ambitious covering a period from the late 16th century to the early 20th century. Great writing and interesting history make it an enjoyable read but it's almost too ambitious! I'm in the last 50 pages and am looking forward to being done! The most interesting angle of this history - one which I never fully understood -is how and why the religious rifts occurred in Ireland. I also learned the "old En
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Aug 19, 2009
Cynthia
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When I was in college, a drunk guy sidled up to me at a St. Patty's party and said "do you know why God invented booze?" I smiled blandly. "To keep the Irish from taking over the world!" He seemed quite proud. I kept my mouth shut. I'd always been told that's why God gave us the English.
This book does a fairly good job of giving some details about the history of Ireland's "troubles" within the narrowish context of historical fiction. The book follo More...
This book does a fairly good job of giving some details about the history of Ireland's "troubles" within the narrowish context of historical fiction. The book follo More...
Dec 14, 2010
Melinda
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The sequel to The Princes of Ireland, you'll read about more of the hardships of Ireland and the struggles of the people to declare their independence from England. The book will take you through rebellions and famine while continuing the generations of fictional families from the first book. Admirable and sometimes foolish rebels, men and women alike, who stop at nothing for freedom while others fight for their lives while death from disease and starvation sweep the country. Rutherford doesn't
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Aug 06, 2011
Meryem
rated it:
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This book covers over 300 years of Irish-English political history through a loosely strung together series of episodes that revolve around one very extended family. It's different in that most of the personal stories are not resolved, but are left off at a point where the Irish story moves on. This was disconcerting at first, but made a lot of sense after I got used to it. Personal stories often don't finish in life, but the tribal story continues. Rutherford did More...
This book covers over 300 years of Irish-English political history through a loosely strung together series of episodes that revolve around one very extended family. It's different in that most of the personal stories are not resolved, but are left off at a point where the Irish story moves on. This was disconcerting at first, but made a lot of sense after I got used to it. Personal stories often don't finish in life, but the tribal story continues. Rutherford did More...
Jan 10, 2012
M.K.
rated it:
The sequel to The Princes of Ireland, you'll read about more of the hardships of Ireland and the struggles of the people to declare their independence from England. The book will take you through rebellions and famine while continuing the generations of fictional families from the first book. Admirable and sometimes foolish rebels, men and women alike, who stop at nothing for freedom while others fight for their lives while death from disease and starvation sweep the country. Rutherford doesn't
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Oct 24, 2009
Rob
rated it:
A great conclusion to part 1 of the Dublin Saga, the 'Rebels of Ireland' picks up where the 'Princes of Ireland' ended. Although you do not necessarily have to read part 1 to begin readin part 2. I do think the 'Princes of Ireland' was a slightly better read.
This book takes you through the religous backdrop of Ireland's more recent history. It gives an informative look at the English influence over Ireland and the protestant - catholic relationships. The story of the potatoe fami More...
This book takes you through the religous backdrop of Ireland's more recent history. It gives an informative look at the English influence over Ireland and the protestant - catholic relationships. The story of the potatoe fami More...
Mar 12, 2010
Tricia
rated it:
I am finding this book more fluid than the Princes. I started it around July 12. I have finally finished, however I did 3 conferences, knit a baby vest and booties, a sweater in intarsia and a table runner for a wedding gift. I also put out the news letter for Larse. SO, it is no wonder that it took me a little longer to get through this. At the same time I was reading this I was using the book Illustrated History of the Irish People by Kenneth Neill as a companion. I could see pictures of the c
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Jul 17, 2007
Jehan
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When I turned the last page of Rutherford's The Princes of Ireland and saw the advertisement for the sequel, I ran out and bought it the next day, excited for what was to come next. I was not disappointed. This sweeping novel brought the history of Ireland into the present, told through the interconnected lives of everyday people.
What I love about Rutherford is that he tells his stories from so many perspectives; for instance, instead of the typical take on the Easter Rising of 191 More...
What I love about Rutherford is that he tells his stories from so many perspectives; for instance, instead of the typical take on the Easter Rising of 191 More...
Mar 18, 2008
Sammy
rated it:
So obviously I haven't spent the last, God knows how many months reading this book. Rather I've spent the last few months being very busy with a lack of time able to review. With that being said, some of the reviews to come are going to have to be short and sweet because I don't remember details specific enough to really nit-pick (which I'm sure many of you will be grateful about).
Once again you're really going to have to focus and put your full attention on this book when reading More...
Once again you're really going to have to focus and put your full attention on this book when reading More...
Dec 27, 2009
Diana
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This second book in the Dublin Saga was just as well researched as the author's other books. He continues the story of the same families and some new ones, while giving the reader the history of Ireland during the 17th century from the side of the people who fought against being told which religion they could practice. As with all of Rutherfurd's books, it is a lengthy one, but if you can read it in big chunks rather than hit and miss, you will truly enjoy the story-telling and learning.
Mar 16, 2011
Dawn
rated it:
This picks up pretty much right where The Princes of Ireland leaves off and follows the battles between the Catholics & Protestants, ending right after WWI with the declaration of an independent Irish state. It was interesting and a good solid read. The cast of characters is a bit wider and feels somewhat disconnected from the families of the first book, and I still totally needed a map to figure out what was going on.
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Feb 10, 2010
Steve
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Edward Rutherfurd has delivered another engaging and sweeping historical romp! He follows several Irish families through some of Ireland's most turbulent years. Great stories and I really learned alot about the complex political/social barriers in Ireland that still exist today. I found myself on the Google maps of Ireland locating all the locations that were mentioned in the book.
Great read if you're into historical fiction.
Great read if you're into historical fiction.
Oct 06, 2011
Judy
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I listened to the audio version of this book before joining Goodreads in 2010. Rutherfurd does a wonderful job of bringing Ireland's history to life through this fictionalized account of the Protestant and Catholic adversity. He has a gift for making history palatable and unforgettable. I would read more of his books except they are so blooming long and my TBR list is likewise.
Aug 11, 2011
Glyn
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Rating: 7/10. The second book of 'The Dublin Saga; the first was 'The Princes of Ireland' which I read in Feb./06. I also read Rutherfurd's 'London' which was excellent. In this fictional account the English take over Ireland lock, stock, and barrel. After reading the accounts of British oppression you can understand completely why the Irish hate the English so much. Rutherfurd's style is like Micheners...a story at each level or time period. Very effective. I enjoyed both books in this
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Jul 28, 2010
Pbwritr
rated it:
An 800-page marathon! I learned a tremendous amount about Ireland and its history, though this was fiction--the different waves of English arrivals, and the complete development of Catholic-Protestant relations that reverberate to this day. Compels me to read further history. Extremely hard, however, to keep up with names, events, and all over 400 years.
Jan 16, 2010
Judy
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This is a fascinating 800 page epic saga of fictionalised Irish history from the fifteenth to the twentieth century. It is clear where Rutherfurd's sympathies lie (with the Catholics). But he takes trouble nonetheless to analyse events and I have found out a lot more about this country's history than I ever did when studying history.I can't put it down.
Aug 22, 2008
Lauren
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The sequel to "The Princes of Ireland" - covering from late 1500's to after 1920. I had a harder time getting through this one. Again, I didn't really like the way the fictional storyline went. Several times I would wonder what it had to do with the history. The author also jumps around quite often so it gets confusing at times. Several times characters/settings are introduced as if you already knew who they were or what was supposed to be going on already. The author has the cha
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Apr 18, 2011
Bob
rated it:
The writing is very good and you get involved with a character and the chapter ends and you move on to something else. Sometimes you never here from that character again or you only hear of them when you meet their grandchildren. The plot seemed rather random.
Feb 16, 2010
Colleen
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Frankly, I hate these kind of books, which take five hundred years worth of history and distill them into 700 pages with made-up epic family trees that interweave through the generations. I cannot explain why I continue to try to read them, except maybe to glean tidbits of history which might be true. Rutherford has no talent for intimate characterization, and his conversational passages are usually laughable. We care nothing for the people which populate his pages, or, sometimes we have just be
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May 03, 2010
Trudy
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Historical fiction by Rutherfurd. A look at the religious and political times in Ireland's fight for home rule. It's the Catholics against the Church of England. Interesting history through the families of the poor and also the wealthy land owners.
May 06, 2009
So far, Rutherfurd picks up where he left off with the Princes book. However, it gets more confusing because he brings in a lot more of the English monarchy and it's difficult to remember who's which religion and what side of the struggle they belong to.
Jan 16, 2009
Heyrebekah
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This book felt rather rushed to me. That may sound odd for a book of 860 pages. But then again, there is a lot of history to cram in there. I think I would have a preferred a little less history and more of the characters' stories.
Jan 13, 2010
Shannon
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Interesting how the religiously based laws affected the majority of irish in the 16th through 19th centuries. My interest in the book faded once they were on to the 19th century but I enjoyed the previous parts.
Aug 01, 2011
Debbie
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I love Edward Rutherfurd's books. He makes up fictional families and then follows them through history in a particular place. This book is the second in a set on the history of Dublin. Fascinating, informative well written and engaging.
