No comments about Thomas Denton: A Perambulation of Cumberland, 1687-8, including descriptions of Westmorland, the Isle of Man and Ireland: (Cumbria Record Office MS D/Lons/L12/4/2/2) ... (Publications of the Surtees Society).

2 comments about Aleutian Echoes (Lanternlight Library).

1. Captain Bradley, trained for mountain warfare in the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Infantry Division, was sent to the Aleutians to help create the North Pacific Combat School, in secret preparation for the assault on Japan which never came. Although never in combat, Bradley and the other instructors had their own battles, with treacherous terrain, poor equipment, and the worst weather in the world. Nicely illustrated with color photos and Bradleys own paintings. The introduction, not by Bradley, contains one factual error: the 364th Infantry Regiment relieved the 138th Infantry Regiment of the Missouri National Guard, not the 140th.



2. Charlie Bradley has written a fascinating book about his experiences in the "Mountain Brigade" in WW2. Through his shrewdness he avoided a mindnumbing GI tour in Illinois and ended up in the 87th Infantry Regiment on the slopes of Mt.Rainer with men training for action in mountainous terrains and in winter conditions. In June of '44 he found himself aboard a ship out of Seattle headed north for "Armageddon", the code name for Dutch Harbor, Unalaska. He would be an essential part of the soon-to-be-born North Pacific Combat School, which would move to Adak several months later. Charlie has written a rivetting account of his experiences, most in the Aleutians. It is profusely illustrated with gorgeous color photographs (amazing how most stood the years!) and his water color drawings. I stayed up late into the night to finish reading it. (OK, I'm biased somewhat. I've been in the Aleutians and feel a strong bond to anyone who's been out there roughing it.)

No comments about Beiträge zur neueren Geschichte aus dem britischen und französischen Reichsarchive: Theil 3. Europa vom Ende des siebenjährigen bis zum Ende des amerikanischen Krieges (1763-1783). Band 1.

3 comments about Harry Boland.

1. This book documents for the first time the life of Harry Boland and the role he played in Ireland's quest for independence. Long time friend of Michael Collins, this book charts their close relationship, begun through mutual dedication towards the achievement of an Irish Republic. The friendship suffers the difficulty of shared admiration for a woman from Co. Longford which ends in victory for Collins. They choose different sides in the Irish Civil War and die within three weeks of each other in enemy camps. Both "served their country in the way they knew best". This book is easy to read and captures much of the drama, suspence and romance usually associated with a good novel. It describes in great detail the period from 1919-1921. It is to be recommended to students of Irish history as well as those readers in search of a tragedy, romance and suspence.



2. This book moves at a fast pace right through. It is a light read though containing all the important historical facts. The author uses dialogue where possible to push the action forward. He includes many anecdotes to capture and maintain the reader's attention. The book details the close friendship between Harry Boland and Michael Collins and how this bond was shattered by later events. There is much variety in the narrative - sporting highlights of Boland's early G.A.A career, the armed and political struggle for Irish independence which brought Boland to Great Britain to rescue deValera from Lincoln Prison and later to America as Special Envoy of the Irish Republic. Conflicting events occur such as rivalry between Boland and Collins for the hand of Kitty Kiernan and the Treaty settlement between Ireland and Great Britain. This agreement split the Irish people and ended with Collins supporting the pro-Treaty side and Boland taking an anti-treaty stance. Much emphasis is placed on the efforts of Boland to prevent Civil War by becoming the architect of the Collins-deValera Pact. Boland and Collins fought on opposite sides in the inevitable war of brothers and were both killed within three weeks of each other. This book correctly captured the character of Boland - warts and all. The book is thoroughly researched and is a joy to read.



3. Jim Maher has done a wonderful job of bringing to life this tragic and romantic figure of the Irish War of Independence (1916-1921). Harry Boland was a soldier and politician, and was a third part of a doomed love triangle with the beauty Kitty Kiernan and Harry's comrade in arms and gigantic figure of the time, Michael Collins. Their friendship was ruptured by the shameful Irish civil war which cast a long shadow over Irish politics and history for the rest of the twentieth century. Boland was a diplomat, fund-raiser and soldier, ahead of his time, a very modern hero, but ultimately he was destroyed by the bitterness and violence which engulfed the fledgling Irish State. This book is a fitting tribute to a man whose hard work and sacrifice shaped the Ireland of today.

No comments about Histoire de la révolution française: Tome 8. Livres XXXI - XXXIV.

No comments about Capability Brown (Lifelines).

No comments about The Savage Pilgrimage: A Narrative of D. H. Lawrence.

No comments about The Life of Charlotte Bronte.

No comments about Lawrence of Arabia and American Culture: The Making of a Transatlantic Legend (Contributions to the Study of Popular Culture).

No comments about Yeats in Love.