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Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War
Between 1845 and 1853, over one million Irish immigrants arrived in the United States. Escaping the potato famine in Ireland, they arrived in America to find themselves embroiled not only in a fight for survival against prejudice and violence, but in a conflict between the Northern and Southern states that would come to a head in 1861 with the start of the American Civil War. A thought provoking and insightful examination of the Irish role in the formation of America in the mid-eighteenth century and beyond, J.J. Collins’ debut is as fascinating as it is heartbreaking, graphically depicting the struggle of one of the most oppressed immigrant groups in American history. During the Civil War, the Irish conscripts and volunteers served mostly for the union, acquitting themselves with honor and bravery while representing states such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. Over the course of the war, Irish American soldiers would rise to the heights of military rank, serve as the decisive factor in a number of battles, and help shape its outcome. Tracing the Irish-American narrative after General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox courthouse, the war’s aftermath and later political and social impact of the Irish community is fundamental in the shaping of America as we know it today. Providing surprising information and a sobering commentary on the formation of our nation, Famine to The Irish in the American Civil War deftly portrays the experience of an immigrant culture that was fundamental in the shaping of the United States.
262 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2011
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Collins
3 books1 followerJ.J.Collins is an Indie Author, Blogger, Historical and Political writer based in the United Kingdom. Collins has always been passionate about American History and politics; he enjoyed a long and successful business career before a serious illness forced a change in life and career direction. This unexpected turn of events allowed Collins to rediscover his passion & love for writing.
I have been fortunate enough to have travelled extensively and I have to admit, I’m definitely a news junkie! but also a person who loves learning about new cultures, places and people. I believe by capturing and studying key events in our history, is a vitally important way in understanding the modern world we live in. The study of politics and history can often assist us in opening our minds and improving our language skills and can also be a lot of fun.
I believe the study of Politics and History helps us understand other people and other societies. Society is shaped by what came before Collins says. In order to understand how we have become what we are, and why we differ from others, it’s important to look to history. Very few events are truly “global” – and understanding the “non-global” is a key to understanding why people living in one country can develop stereotypes of those living in another country. It has been said that History is written by the victors however; Collins loves exploring not only why those persons were victorious, but also what was the basis for the defeat and sometimes destruction of others.
History helps us understand current events much better and on a more personal level, it can also help us understand who we are and the “risk factors” we have to face on a daily basis in this ever changing world.
In terms of role models; Abraham Lincoln is definitely one of the most inspirational and influential people I have had the privilege of studying and learning about. I also hold great admiration for the Founding Fathers; Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. I’m a pretty outgoing person so I find many things to admire in people and have been lucky enough to have worked and studied with some truly talented people in my life and career.
Away from writing, I am currently progressing my studies and aiming for a return to full health and hope to continue to enjoy the wonderful gift of life, and all the treasures it has to offer for many years to come.
I’m still very much a learner when it comes to the publishing world, but have met some really amazing people, and I’ve been completely taken aback with how supportive, and encouraging other authors can be. I think the one thing I’ve appreciated more about the industry than anything else, is the importance of building a good network and being supportive of other authors too!. Indie authors definitely tend to be one big extended happy family.
You can follow @JJCollinsAuthor on twitter for release dates and the latest updates on his writing projects.
Collins also undertakes reviews for other authors, which can be found here on Amazon.com and is no doubt, he is working away on his next book as you finish reading this article.
I have been fortunate enough to have travelled extensively and I have to admit, I’m definitely a news junkie! but also a person who loves learning about new cultures, places and people. I believe by capturing and studying key events in our history, is a vitally important way in understanding the modern world we live in. The study of politics and history can often assist us in opening our minds and improving our language skills and can also be a lot of fun.
I believe the study of Politics and History helps us understand other people and other societies. Society is shaped by what came before Collins says. In order to understand how we have become what we are, and why we differ from others, it’s important to look to history. Very few events are truly “global” – and understanding the “non-global” is a key to understanding why people living in one country can develop stereotypes of those living in another country. It has been said that History is written by the victors however; Collins loves exploring not only why those persons were victorious, but also what was the basis for the defeat and sometimes destruction of others.
History helps us understand current events much better and on a more personal level, it can also help us understand who we are and the “risk factors” we have to face on a daily basis in this ever changing world.
In terms of role models; Abraham Lincoln is definitely one of the most inspirational and influential people I have had the privilege of studying and learning about. I also hold great admiration for the Founding Fathers; Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. I’m a pretty outgoing person so I find many things to admire in people and have been lucky enough to have worked and studied with some truly talented people in my life and career.
Away from writing, I am currently progressing my studies and aiming for a return to full health and hope to continue to enjoy the wonderful gift of life, and all the treasures it has to offer for many years to come.
I’m still very much a learner when it comes to the publishing world, but have met some really amazing people, and I’ve been completely taken aback with how supportive, and encouraging other authors can be. I think the one thing I’ve appreciated more about the industry than anything else, is the importance of building a good network and being supportive of other authors too!. Indie authors definitely tend to be one big extended happy family.
You can follow @JJCollinsAuthor on twitter for release dates and the latest updates on his writing projects.
Collins also undertakes reviews for other authors, which can be found here on Amazon.com and is no doubt, he is working away on his next book as you finish reading this article.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 17, 2013
Famine to Freedom is a perfect read for anyone interested in a readable, well-presented account of American history.
Until I picked this book my knowledge of the American Civil War was very general, coming from what we've been taught at school and a few relevant historicals and movies.
Well, Famine to Freedom was a revelation. Written in a pleasant, reader-friendly, easy-to-follow way not many non-fictional books can boast, this book took me on a journey that enriched me enormously. From the first pages I was drawn into the turbulent world of pre-Civil-War times, with the miserable situation of the various immigrants of all nationalities, from the Irish people fleeing the "potato famine" of their homelands, to the African people fleeing the slavery of the South. The parallel between the two refugees-nations and their neighborhoods in some border towns was amazing, a revelation.
As the reading flew smoothly and pleasantly, I was surprised every time anew, learning about the multitude of factors that made USA as I know it today. A history buff, I should not have been surprised, but I was. The amount of research that went into this book is astounding, while the author’s ability to present all of it in a reader-friendly manner is admirable.
I enjoyed myself enormously, learning many interesting tidbits about famous historical figures, from Lincoln to general Lee to various Irish-American leaders. It was a pleasure to be part of the great generals’ deliberations and their thinking process that made them arrive to all those history-making decisions. And then the story would move to battles themselves, so hopelessly bloody, and sometimes, so hopelessly wrong and ill-prepared. From great generals to simple soldiers, this book covered them all, allowing me to almost live these turbulent years in history, to follow the evolvement of the American nation in general, as much as providing me with an interesting look on certain parts of it.
The participation of the Irish immigrants in this conflict was surprising. I knew that there were many people of Irish origins in USA of those times, yet, I never knew how involved, how well-organized, politically and otherwise, they had been, what an integral part of American history they were. This is not something one reads in the regular textbooks.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would love to learn in depth about the crucial parts in American history, presented in a colorful reader-friendly way.
Until I picked this book my knowledge of the American Civil War was very general, coming from what we've been taught at school and a few relevant historicals and movies.
Well, Famine to Freedom was a revelation. Written in a pleasant, reader-friendly, easy-to-follow way not many non-fictional books can boast, this book took me on a journey that enriched me enormously. From the first pages I was drawn into the turbulent world of pre-Civil-War times, with the miserable situation of the various immigrants of all nationalities, from the Irish people fleeing the "potato famine" of their homelands, to the African people fleeing the slavery of the South. The parallel between the two refugees-nations and their neighborhoods in some border towns was amazing, a revelation.
As the reading flew smoothly and pleasantly, I was surprised every time anew, learning about the multitude of factors that made USA as I know it today. A history buff, I should not have been surprised, but I was. The amount of research that went into this book is astounding, while the author’s ability to present all of it in a reader-friendly manner is admirable.
I enjoyed myself enormously, learning many interesting tidbits about famous historical figures, from Lincoln to general Lee to various Irish-American leaders. It was a pleasure to be part of the great generals’ deliberations and their thinking process that made them arrive to all those history-making decisions. And then the story would move to battles themselves, so hopelessly bloody, and sometimes, so hopelessly wrong and ill-prepared. From great generals to simple soldiers, this book covered them all, allowing me to almost live these turbulent years in history, to follow the evolvement of the American nation in general, as much as providing me with an interesting look on certain parts of it.
The participation of the Irish immigrants in this conflict was surprising. I knew that there were many people of Irish origins in USA of those times, yet, I never knew how involved, how well-organized, politically and otherwise, they had been, what an integral part of American history they were. This is not something one reads in the regular textbooks.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would love to learn in depth about the crucial parts in American history, presented in a colorful reader-friendly way.
May 19, 2012
I love history. So naturally, I was very interested in reading author J.J. Collins’ book about the unknown pages of the American Civil War. It seems the civil war subject had already been done to death. But this book is drastically different. The author presents an absolutely fresh angle of this crucial page in the American history.
The book starts with an excellent overview of the general history of the Irish immigration to the USA and the state of the country before the start of the war. The author proceeds to analyze the reasons for the clash between the North and the South, and does so in a very balanced way. The book also contains a thorough overview of various battles during this brutal war. Abe Lincoln fans will find some interesting information about the American President’s role in various stages of the conflict.
But the most important part of the book is an in-depth description of various regiments of Irish and Scots-Irish descent and their role in the war. Of course, living in the USA, I heard a lot about the role of the Irish immigrants in the history of this country. Fleeing from potato famine and their ongoing conflict with the British authorities, they sought a fresh start and paradise on earth on the other side of the Atlantic. The Irish helped build railroads and canals, toiled at mills, and played a large role in the industrialization of the USA. They came for freedom and peace. But what they didn’t bargain for was to land in the midst of someone else’s civil war.
I was particularly interested – and surprised - to learn about the Irish in the American South and their participation in the Confederate Army. I think a reader will find quite a few discoveries in the book, from the scale of the Irish participation in the conflict to the difference in motivations of those Irish who found themselves on the opposite sides of the trenches. As with all civil wars, the society was divided to the max. But the author does an excellent job describing the conflict in an even-handed manner. His approach is balanced, yet humane.
The amount of research is very impressive and the book is surprisingly easy to read. The author’s pride in the Irish heritage adds further appeal to the book. However, I would have liked to see more personable and unique anecdotes, adding a human touch to the book’s dramatic subject. That would have made it interesting to a broader audience and added even more value to this excellent work. All in all, Famine to Freedom is a must read for students of the Irish and American Civil War history! As for me, I am looking forward to the new books from this talented author!
The book starts with an excellent overview of the general history of the Irish immigration to the USA and the state of the country before the start of the war. The author proceeds to analyze the reasons for the clash between the North and the South, and does so in a very balanced way. The book also contains a thorough overview of various battles during this brutal war. Abe Lincoln fans will find some interesting information about the American President’s role in various stages of the conflict.
But the most important part of the book is an in-depth description of various regiments of Irish and Scots-Irish descent and their role in the war. Of course, living in the USA, I heard a lot about the role of the Irish immigrants in the history of this country. Fleeing from potato famine and their ongoing conflict with the British authorities, they sought a fresh start and paradise on earth on the other side of the Atlantic. The Irish helped build railroads and canals, toiled at mills, and played a large role in the industrialization of the USA. They came for freedom and peace. But what they didn’t bargain for was to land in the midst of someone else’s civil war.
I was particularly interested – and surprised - to learn about the Irish in the American South and their participation in the Confederate Army. I think a reader will find quite a few discoveries in the book, from the scale of the Irish participation in the conflict to the difference in motivations of those Irish who found themselves on the opposite sides of the trenches. As with all civil wars, the society was divided to the max. But the author does an excellent job describing the conflict in an even-handed manner. His approach is balanced, yet humane.
The amount of research is very impressive and the book is surprisingly easy to read. The author’s pride in the Irish heritage adds further appeal to the book. However, I would have liked to see more personable and unique anecdotes, adding a human touch to the book’s dramatic subject. That would have made it interesting to a broader audience and added even more value to this excellent work. All in all, Famine to Freedom is a must read for students of the Irish and American Civil War history! As for me, I am looking forward to the new books from this talented author!
September 12, 2012
In spite of the poor formatting in some chapters on my ebook version, I give five stars to this non-fiction book for being a concise, reference source of information about those of Irish or Scot-Irish descent who fought in the Civil War, both in the North and the South. I have been referring to this book to try to locate the unit my husband's g-grandfather and g-g-grandfather (born: Dublin, Ireland) fought in. Some info I also found helpful for my research for a future AURORA series book. If you are researching Irish ancestors who came to the U.S. during the potato famine/Civil War era, consider buying this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews