Sinn Féin: A Hundred Turbulent Years

Sinn Féin: A Hundred Turbulent Years

by Brian Feeney (Author)

Synopsis

Sinn Fein is one of the oldest and most controversial parties in Irish politics. This is the fascinating story of a party which has repeatedly reshaped its identity over a hundred years. From Arthur Griffith to Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein boasts a roll-call of major personalities from twentieth-century Irish history including de Valera, Markievicz, Collins, O Bradaigh, Goulding, MacGiolla, and McGuinness.

Brian Feeney traces Sinn Fein's zigzag path towards constitutional politics and presents a critical analysis of the party's personalities and policies over the century. He shows how it has arrived at last in government in the north with hopes of a future role in coalition in the republic, and confidently predicting a united Ireland.

This is an important and timely book from an esteemed journalist, and an impartial analysis of Sinn Fein's involvement in Irish politics, north and south, over the last hundred years.

$23.48

Quantity

10 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 488
Edition: 2
Publisher: O'Brien Press
Published: 17 Apr 2002

ISBN 10: 086278770X
ISBN 13: 9780862787707

Media Reviews

'Already confirmed as an astute observer of the political landscape here, Brian Feeney is well placed to document and analyse the progress of Sinn Fein ... He is also adept at covering the genesis and early development of a movement which, more than any other, shaped the destiny of this country over the past 100 years.'

-- Fermanagh Herald

'(T)he first comprehensive account ever written on the history of the party. Feeney has managed to do that with an account that is well-written and always easy to read ... With contributions from Danny Morrison, Tom Hartley, Jim Gibney and Ruairi O Bradaigh and drawing on the writings of Gerry Adams, Feeney's latest book ... will become a reference point for every student of Irish history.'

-- North Belfast News

'For anyone wishing to understand the changing fortunes of Sinn Fein, Brian Feeney's book will be essential, indeed vital reading ... He manages at the same time to be judicious, well informed and un-academic.'

-- Irish Catholic * The Irish Catholic *

'Fascinating and engrossing ... This excellent book will to appeal those interested in Irish history and Irish political history in particular.'

-- Bray People * Bray People *

'Should be required reading for all those who believe that Sinn Fein is incapable of being anything other than what they insist it has always been. Certainly it will be the starting point definitive text on the subject of political republicanism, standing alongside the histories of the IRA written by Tim Pat Coogan and J. Bowyer-Bell.'

-- Ulster Herald

'Timely reading for those who wish to gain a balanced perspective of a movement which claims to be the dynamo of change in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.'

-- Evening Herald * Evening Herald *

'Feeney's books serves as useful overview and is to be welcomed'

-- Irish Democrat

'This is an easy read, a popular history which glitters with insight and valuably illuminates the present ... the elegant way he has laid out a mass of fact, quote, reminiscence and deft observation in a work which, among its other qualities, includes the best and most level-headed account of the Provos in the Peace Process yet to emerge.'

-- Eamonn McCann - The Sunday Tribune * The Sunday Tribune *

'An analytical and narrative masterpiece ... Brian Feeney has managed to recount the roller-coaster history of Sinn Fein in a balanced and extremely vivid manner.'

-- Professor Declan Kiberd

'Historian and political journalist Feeney is well qualified to make this a definitive text on the vast list of figures and their advances as well as setbacks in this phoenix of a party.'

-- Books Ireland * Books Ireland *

'Feeney's book represents the first attempt to outline the long-term historical development of Sinn Fein both as a party and as a movement ... Feeney's analysis of the early years of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, and its more recent history as part of the burgeoning peace process, is masterful, fast-moving and well-argued.'

-- Derry People Donegal News * Derry People & Donegal News *

'Brian Feeney's history of the party is obviously timely. It is also impressive. Feeney ... diligently traces the party through its various incarnations from the loose grouping launched by Arthur Griffith in 1905 to the slick machine of today. Feeney's work is clear, thorough and fluently written.'

-- Sunday Business Post * Sunday Business Post *

'Already confirmed as an astute observer of the political landscape here, 'Brian Feeney is well placed to document and analyse the progress of Sinn Fein ... He is also adept at covering the genesis and early development of a movement which, more than any other, shaped the destiny of this country over the past 100 years.'

-- Fermanagh Herald

'(T)he first comprehensive account ever written on the history of the party. Feeney has managed to do that with an account that is well-written and always easy to read ... With contributions from Danny Morrison, Tom Hartley, Jim Gibney and Ruairi O Bradaigh and drawing on the writings of Gerry Adams, Feeney's latest book ... will become a reference point for every student of Irish history.'

-- North Belfast News

'For anyone wishing to understand the changing fortunes of Sinn Fein, Brian Feeney's book will be essential, indeed vital reading ... He manages at the same time to be judicious, well informed and un-academic.'

-- Irish Catholic * The Irish Catholic *

'Fascinating and engrossing ... This excellent book will to appeal those interested in Irish history and Irish political history in particular.'

-- Bray People * Bray People *

'Should be required reading for all those who believe that Sinn Fein is incapable of being anything other than what they insist it has always been. Certainly it will be the starting point definitive text on the subject of political republicanism, standing alongside the histories of the IRA written by Tim Pat Coogan and J. Bowyer-Bell.'

-- Ulster Herald

'Timely reading for those who wish to gain a balanced perspective of a movement which claims to be the dynamo of change in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.'

-- Evening Herald * Evening Herald *

'This is an easy read, a popular history which glitters with insight and valuably illuminates the present ... the elegant way he has laid out a mass of fact, quote, reminiscence and deft observation in a work which, among its other qualities, includes the best and most level-headed account of the Provos in the Peace Process yet to emerge.'

-- Eamonn McCann - The Sunday Tribune * The Sunday Tribune *

'An analytical and narrative masterpiece ... Brian Feeney has managed to recount the roller-coaster history of Sinn Fein in a balanced and extremely vivid manner.'

-- Professor Declan Kiberd

'Historian and political journalist Feeney is well qualified to make this a definitive text on the vast list of figures and their advances as well as setbacks in this phoenix of a party.'

-- Books Ireland * Books Ireland *

'Feeney's book represents the first attempt to outline the long-term historical development of Sinn Fein both as a party and as a movement ... Feeney's analysis of the early years of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, and its more recent history as part of the burgeoning peace process, is masterful, fast-moving and well-argued.'

-- Derry People Donegal News * Derry People & Donegal News *

'Brian Feeney's history of the party is obviously timely. It is also impressive. Feeney ... diligently traces the party through its various incarnations from the loose grouping launched by Arthur Griffith in 1905 to the slick machine of today. Feeney's work is clear, thorough and fluently written.'

-- Sunday Business Post * Sunday Business Post *
Author Bio
Brian Feeney, a political columnist with the Irish News, is a leading nationalist commentator and frequent broadcaster on Northern Ireland affairs. He was an SDLP councillor for sixteen years. He is co-author of Lost Lives: the story of the men, women and children killed in the Northern Ireland troubles. In 2001 the book won the Christopher Ewart-Biggs award for its contribution to reconciliation in Ireland and Europe. A historian by profession, he is Head of History at St Mary's University College, Belfast.