R. F. Foster Volgorde van de boeken (chronologisch)

Examines how key events in Irish history have been recast and retold to serve a multiplicity of purposes. In this book, the author demolishes the cliches that surround Ireland's past, examining how key moments have been turned into myths - and, recently, airbrushed and repackaged for Hollywood and popular culture.

In the first authorized biography of W.B. Yeats in over fifty years, Roy Foster offers a fresh perspective on the poet's intricate life during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Utilizing a wealth of personal and contemporary materials, Foster reshapes traditional views, shedding light on Yeats's family history, relationships, politics, and artistic evolution. The narrative traces Yeats's journey from a childhood steeped in déclassé Irish Protestantism and nationalist sentiments to becoming a distinguished poet, concluding with the challenges he faced at fifty amid the upheaval of World War I. His bohemian lifestyle, marked by financial uncertainty, romantic entanglements, avant-garde friendships, and explorations of drugs and occultism, sets the stage for his efforts to merge politics with high culture and establish an Irish national theatre. As he navigates between Dublin, Coole Park, and London, with visits to America and Paris, Yeats crafts a public persona and a creative legacy that draws both admiration and criticism. His life intertwines with notable figures like Lady Gregory, J. M. Synge, and Maud Gonne, whose influence profoundly shaped his work. The pursuit of supernatural wisdom, evident in Yeats's occult notebooks, parallels the insecurities in his personal life, illustrating the development of a poet's mind and a remarkable personality that played a pivotal role in shaping a radicalized Irish natio

Few countries boast such a compelling and stirring history as Ireland. This volume in the Oxford Illustrated Histories series provides an authoritative account of Irish history for general readers. Crafted by a team of native Irish scholars, it covers the journey from early prehistoric communities and Christian settlements to modern times. Unlike previous one-volume histories that oversimplify, this work highlights the paradoxes and complexities of Irish history, offering a more nuanced understanding. It raises questions about the stark variations in agriculture, prosperity, and political affiliations on such a small island, and the persistence of Victorian norms in 20th-century life. Each chapter introduces new perspectives, redefining Irish concerns while critiquing established narratives. Unifying themes emerge, such as settlement patterns, religious strife, and the formation of political entities. The significance of language in Irish culture is explored, particularly its role in literature as a historical record. A standout chapter examines the interplay between Irish history and literature, referred to as "a bloody crossroads." The book is richly illustrated with over 200 photographs, including 24 full-color plates, and includes reference materials, maps, a chronology, and an index. This engaging and challenging exploration of Irish history will inform and captivate students, scholars, and general readers alike.