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Osprey Campaign #180
Easter Rising 1916: Birth of the Irish Republic
When the outbreak of World War I (1914-1918) delayed home rule for Ireland, a faction of Irish nationalists - the Irish Republican Brotherhood - decided to take direct action and infiltrated a number of other nationalist and militia outfits.
On Easter Monday 1916, whilst armed men seized key points across Dublin, a rebellion was launched from the steps of the General Post Office (GPO) and Patrick Pearse proclaimed the existence of an Irish Republic and the establishment of a Provisional Government.
The British response was a military one and martial law was declared throughout Ireland. Over the next five days they drove the rebels back in violent street fighting until the Provisional Government surrendered on April 29. Central Dublin was left in ruins.
The leaders of the rising were tried by court 15 of them were summarily executed and a further 3,500 'sympathizers' imprisoned. Although the majority of the Irish population was against the rebellion, the manner of its suppression began to turn their heads in favor of those who would call for independence from Britain 'at any cost.'
Covering in detail this important milestone in the ongoing Anglo-Irish struggle, bestselling author Michael McNally thoroughly examines the politics and tactics employed, to provide a well-researched study of the roots and outcome of this conflict. Furthermore, the array of unique photographs depicting this calamitous event help to bring to life one of the key episodes that shaped Irish history.
On Easter Monday 1916, whilst armed men seized key points across Dublin, a rebellion was launched from the steps of the General Post Office (GPO) and Patrick Pearse proclaimed the existence of an Irish Republic and the establishment of a Provisional Government.
The British response was a military one and martial law was declared throughout Ireland. Over the next five days they drove the rebels back in violent street fighting until the Provisional Government surrendered on April 29. Central Dublin was left in ruins.
The leaders of the rising were tried by court 15 of them were summarily executed and a further 3,500 'sympathizers' imprisoned. Although the majority of the Irish population was against the rebellion, the manner of its suppression began to turn their heads in favor of those who would call for independence from Britain 'at any cost.'
Covering in detail this important milestone in the ongoing Anglo-Irish struggle, bestselling author Michael McNally thoroughly examines the politics and tactics employed, to provide a well-researched study of the roots and outcome of this conflict. Furthermore, the array of unique photographs depicting this calamitous event help to bring to life one of the key episodes that shaped Irish history.
96 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 22, 2025
Finally finished! Uncle Dan doesn’t mess around with historical recommendations. Very interesting after seeing so much of Dublin!
March 15, 2019
This is the book that started my love affair with Osprey. I think that when I got it, I wanted to read something about the Easter Rising, but not too much, so I went for the book with pictures and maps. Despite my comings and goings, and the usual complains of: 1) They are rather expensive, and 2) They never seems to be enough books about the armies/periods I am interested it, I think they are, overall, an excellent entry point to a given topic.
On this second read, I think this might be the exception. I am not sure this is the best book to start on the Easter Rising, even when I have not read much more about it. Maybe is that I was, and think I still am, enchanted with the more romantic aspects of the Irish rebellion(s); and the author seems to be on the other side of the political spectrum. To a certain degree, that is understandable. Osprey is an English publisher, and therefore I suppose more likely to be favorable to the British Army than to its enemies. That is not my point, although if you know of “A completely impartial history of the Easter Rising, the Irish War of Independence, and the Irish Civl War”, please let me know.
My problem today, is that McNally gets into polemic details newbies like me have no clue, like the kind of ammunition used by British Artillery. While not trivial, it is difficult for me to 1) understand its importance, and 2) ascertain the veracity of what it is aid here. With all my respect to the author and the publishing house, these are not the book to settle historiographic scores. Explaining the controversy in one paragraph and underlining your point, is not enough for me.
I will keep the maps and the pictures, and will try to use my next visit to Dublin (the whole reason why I reread it) to buy more books on the subject. Then I might be able to at least understand the controversy of the details explained here.
On this second read, I think this might be the exception. I am not sure this is the best book to start on the Easter Rising, even when I have not read much more about it. Maybe is that I was, and think I still am, enchanted with the more romantic aspects of the Irish rebellion(s); and the author seems to be on the other side of the political spectrum. To a certain degree, that is understandable. Osprey is an English publisher, and therefore I suppose more likely to be favorable to the British Army than to its enemies. That is not my point, although if you know of “A completely impartial history of the Easter Rising, the Irish War of Independence, and the Irish Civl War”, please let me know.
My problem today, is that McNally gets into polemic details newbies like me have no clue, like the kind of ammunition used by British Artillery. While not trivial, it is difficult for me to 1) understand its importance, and 2) ascertain the veracity of what it is aid here. With all my respect to the author and the publishing house, these are not the book to settle historiographic scores. Explaining the controversy in one paragraph and underlining your point, is not enough for me.
I will keep the maps and the pictures, and will try to use my next visit to Dublin (the whole reason why I reread it) to buy more books on the subject. Then I might be able to at least understand the controversy of the details explained here.
December 11, 2022
With parents from Ireland and England, you may have thought I knew about the Easter Rising, but this piece of history on our islands is not taught and rarely mentioned. So when I found that the superb Osprey 'Campaign' series covered the period of Easter 1916 I knew it would be a clear and concise explanation of the events.
And this book definitely delivers on this with explanations of the Irish and British forces, the responses to the occupation of the GPO and the aftermath for the people involved. There is no 'sugar coating' of the events, or the results of the actions of both sides. I would have preferred a little more about the following 10 years, but that is a minor complaint. Great book, of an important part of history for Ireland and England.
And this book definitely delivers on this with explanations of the Irish and British forces, the responses to the occupation of the GPO and the aftermath for the people involved. There is no 'sugar coating' of the events, or the results of the actions of both sides. I would have preferred a little more about the following 10 years, but that is a minor complaint. Great book, of an important part of history for Ireland and England.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews