5 comments about Granuaile: Ireland's Pirate Queen C. 1530-1603.

1. This book was excellently written. To the person who said the anti-christian statements were not true- Let me guess? Your a christian right. Thats the problem with christians, they still deny the truth no matter what. Christianity has always been a man's religion and its the most degrading religion to women and womens rights that has ever existed. I'm glad this author had the guts to be more unique and unconventional to tell the TRUTH. Sorry Christians. I know you never appreciate that.



2. It's my fault really but this book is just not what I was looking for and I could not get through it.



3. Anne Chambers' book provides a fascinating and inspiring glimpse into the life of an extraordinary Irish woman. Ms Chambers does an excellent job painting a picture of life in Ireland during the 16th century and the role of women in Ireland through the ages. Anyone traveling to Ireland or interesting in Irish history and the role of women in Irish society will benefit from reading this biography.



4. Anne Chambers is the authority on Granuaile O'Malley, and she has written the definitive scholarly work in this biography on her.



5. Grace O'Malley (Granuaile) was a legendary Irish pirate chieftain and Gaelic chieftain who was known as such ephitet's as 'The Pirate Queen', A Most Famous Feminine Sea Captain, 'Nurse to All Rebellions' and 'A Notable Traitoress'
   
   This book traces her life. perhaps in too little detail, and perhaps does not quite do justice to this fascinating women. This is a work of non-fiction, but I believe there was enough material at hand to give a fuller and more readable picture of this Irish Boudicca of the seas.
   Mostly it is a social history of Ireland at the time, it's colonization by England and the atrocities committed by the English invaders against the Irish (as well as Irish chieftains against their own).
   The role of women is examined to show just how Granuiele broke the mould, and the upheavals caused by the change from tribal Gaelic society to English law (It seems that women played a greater leadership role in some cases in the former.
   We also read of her famous meeting with Queen Elizabeth, the possible fate of the Spaniards from the Armada marooned in Ireland and a chapter on her illustrious descendants.

No comments about Irish Wolfhounds 2011 Square 12X12 Wall Calendar.

4 comments about Irish Wolfhounds (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This book was so easy to read and understand. Every possible area of owning,feeding,training,medical,etc. is there and explained completely. This book will be a wonderful guide for the first timer interested in this wonderful breed. You will have a step by step guide on a lifetime of fun and enjoyment . Your Irish Wolfhound will thank you for learning about every angle to their behavior and demeanor....their wants and needs. The numerious pictures give a wonderful view of how a Wolfhound actually looks from puppyhood to adult. One can see the variety of colors this breed comes in. The "tips" of information are fantastic!!!!!!!! The chapter on finding reputable Breeders is a wonderful guide and great place to start. This book would be a wonderful gift for any occasion!!



2. A nice practical guide on raising Irish Wolfhounds.
   The smaller size makes it easy to leaf through at your leisure.
   Not an exhaustive guide by any means but covers all the basics.
   Lovely pictures and tips are sprinkled throughout.
   We bought this to read while waiting for our puupy.



3. I bought this book over 2 years ago before I bought my Irish Wolfhound. I wanted to really research the breed and know what I was getting into. For the most part, this book was very helpful painting a clear picture.
   
   Irish Wolfhound's are the tallest breed of dog and they have a relatively and heartbreakingly short lifespan. This book gives you some steps in taking care of your dog from puppy into adulthood, to ensure you have your Wolfhound for as long as possible.
   
   Table of Contents:
   
   Introducing the Wolfhound
   Finding the Right Irish Wolfhound
   Bringing your Wolfhound Home
   Caring for and Feeding your Irish Wolfhound
   Your Irish Wolfhound's Health
   Living with a Giant Hound
   Activities for your Wolfhound
   Information
   Index
   
   There is some important and valuable information in this book. There are also some pretty idiotic statements. One of those statements that is absolutely not true is the book tells you to not elevate your dog's food because it causes bloat, it tells you to let them eat off the floor. My dog's breeder was actually part of the bloat study and the opposite was found true. Plus, if you think about it, my Wolfhound is about 38-40 inches at the shoulder, can imagine how uncomfortable and difficult it would be for a giant breed dog to eat off the floor?
   
   The most important thing this book tells you is to find a reputable breeder. My dog is now two years old and I am still in contact with the breeder. She is a wealth of knowledge and information that a book can not begin to capture.
   
   Because these are such giant dogs, they have special needs and considerations. All in all this book does a good job of pointing out some of the pros and cons of the breed and is a good stepping stone to helping you make that decision. If you decide to bring one of these gentle giants into your home, it also is a fairly good guide to a healthy and happy pet and family.
   
   I read and rely on this book for very general information. But in the end found the most important and reliable information came from my breeder.
   
   Cherise Everhard, Feb. 2008



4. I am still trying to convince my parents to get one.
   They got a St. Charles Cavalier Spaniel puppy instead...horrible little rodent-like dog. Real dogs are far better.

No comments about Irish Wolfhound (Comprehensive Owner's Guide).

1 comments about Literary Tour of Ireland.

1. 'A most beguiling, glittering book that offers riches of information and the pleasures both of recognition and discovery.' That is Elizabeth Healy's subtitle, and very aptly chosen it is.
   
   Ireland is an endlessly rocking cradle of culture and the source of much that is great in literature written in the English and the Irish languages.
   
   There is no better way to appreciate and understand this noble and great country than to take Healy's volume in hand and traverse her green hillsides and rocky promontories overlooking the wild North Atlantic. En route you'll see the homes and favorite haunts of the greats and the lesser known writers.
   
   It is still something of a miracle that such a small place can have produced such literary wealth: Swift, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Burke, Wilde, Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett have made a major contribution to world literature over the past 300 years. Ireland's four Nobel prizes for literature have gone to Yeats, Shaw, Beckett and Seamus Heaney.
   
   Ireland is especially blessed with a glorious language of its own: Irish. Healey does not stint in giving us many Irish passages, both from the storied past and present-day writiers, such as Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, whose verses, according to Healy, capture something of the fierce tenderness of Kerry's rocky acres.
   
   Healy is especially good in her maps and illustrations. She literally shows you the way there. I took this book with me to the Aran Isles, County Galway and Connemara. I walked the Bloomsday walk in Dublin, paused for coffee at Davey Byrne's, and also journeyed to Swift's tomb in Dublin.
   
   SWIFT has sailed into his rest;
   Savage indignation there
   Cannot lacerate his breast.
   Imitate him if you dare,
   World-besotted traveller; he
   Served human liberty.
   
   Perhaps my favorite spot of all: Yeats' rebuilt Norman tower of Thoor Ballylee, set in a glen by a flowing stream and overlooking cow pastures near Gort, Galway. And just up the road, Coole Park, with its evocation of the patroness of Irish literature Lady Augusta Gregory:
   
   Here, traveller, scholar, poet, take your stand
   When all those rooms and passages are gone,
   When nettles wave upon a shapeless mound
   And saplings root among the broken stone,
   And dedicate--eyes bent upon the ground,
   Back turned upon the brightness of the sun
   And all the sensuality of the shade --
   a moment's memory to that laurelled head.
   
   William Butler Yeats "Coole Park, 1929"

No comments about Irish Spirit: Pagan, Celtic, Christian, Global.

5 comments about The Magnificent Irish Wolfhound (A Ringpress Dog Book of Distinction).

1. This book should automatically be sold WITH every Irish Wolfhound puppy! It answers almost every question about this breed. The pictures are marvelous and I will always keep this book by my bedside!



2. The Magnificent Irish Wolfhound (A Ringpress Dog Book of Distinction)
   
   This book is the BEST...Everything is covered in easy to understand and quick language...I was able to find any answer to any question quick and easy...
   
   I highly recommend it..



3. Buy this book, and get ready for hours of in-depth, caring, humourous and above all, experienced reading, because this is the book you are looking for. I bought this book because I am new to the breed and I assure you there is absolutely no risk in purchasing a book of this merit. The Magnificent Irish Wolfhound is a very well balanced link between all the primers on the internet and the more serious 'hands on' kind of engagement, which is up to you. If you've already done some internet 'homework' like I did, and are looking for something to lift your knowledge and appreciation to the next level, I recommend this book.



4. This is the most comprehensive dog book of any kind I have seen. This book contains excellent information for both the curious and seasoned breeder of Irish Wolfhounds. The writer's perspectives should provide a good foundation for owners and breeders in helping to promote the long term vitality and proper growth of this breed. Excellent!



5. If you own an Irish Wolfhound or dream of owning one, then this book is a must have.
   
   Aside from plenty of practical information for the IW owner, the book is full of color pictures that are sure to satisfy the most exacting wanna be wolfhound owner.
   
   McBride does a good job of covering not only raising a puppy to an adult Wolfhound, but covers their quirks and the personality characteristics that makes devotees of those that love the breed. Whether you plan to show your hound or just love it as a pet, this book contains a comprehensive dialogue on health, obedience, personality, expectations and more.
   
   I own almost every hand book on Irish Wolfhounds published in the last fifty or so years and Mary McBryde's book truly the best!

No comments about The Celts.

5 comments about The Informer.

1. A review of this book is most fair when it is broken into three sections of 60 pages each. The first two sections are fantastic as it takes us through the story of Gipo, a man haunted by informing on his best friend. O'Flaherty does a fantastic job of painting the scene of poverty in Dublin that would lead to someone informing on their buddy... and then we have the pleasure of watching him use the blood money. If it ended on page 120, I would definitely give the book 5 stars.

   The last 60 pages are very boring and drawn out. Whereas the story could have been a fascinating tell of the above mentioned material, the last is so obvious, that it is physically painful waiting for the conclusion.

   All in all, the book is a great study in the darker side of human behavior. I am glad that I read it for that reason. However, the climax leaves a lot to be desired.




2. I've read this book twice. It was actually better the second time. The movie adaptation is even better than the book, with the lead actor receiving the Oscar for that year. Whether you watch the movie or read the book, you can't go wrong in my opinion. The struggles of life in Ireland, the betrayal by a friend for money, and the descriptions of the characters and places kept me turning the pages.



3. This is a good novel about Ireland's ongoing troubles. It spares us the contrived world of the Clancy brothers and rebel songs. The story is set in the years after the establishment of the Irish Free State. The protagonists, unlike in the movie, are not patriots per se but rather communists or IRA members who wanted complete independence from the United Kingdom. Gypo Nolan and his victim Frankie McPhilip are less than valued members of the organization. The story deals with successful efforts to track down Gypo who informed on Frankie. It is noted that Gypo betrayed Frankie to the police not to the Black and Tans as in the movie. It is a gripping story and it is also a good antidote to stories of the noble Irish and the evil Brits. Please note carefully O'Flaherty's description of the leader of the organization. The author was a member of the Communist Party who had a somewhat different take on the situation in Ireland. If you want an alternative view of the Irish troubles which is also a good read this is the book for you.



4. In the confused political situation in Ireland between 1916 and 1925, all kinds of ideologies competed, common criminals took up party work only to revert to their original callings. Leaders were betrayed, assassinated, jailed. The long dream of independence came to life, but in a fog of disappointment and disillusion. When the dust settled, all the brilliant men lay dead. O'Flaherty has set his novel in the politico-criminal underworld of this period, with a large dollop of that disillusion. Nobody comes out smelling like a rose. Gypo Nolan, the main character, harbors great physical strength, but little brain. Unlike most protagonists, he thinks little. The author describes his feelings or changes of mood, an interesting tack to take. Gypo informs on a former colleague in the Party, who is promptly surrounded by the police and gets shot dead during the standoff. With his 20 pound reward burning a hole in his pocket ( it might have been equivalent to about 20 weeks pay for a worker), Gypo treats a crowd to fish and chips, then drinks, fights, and whores, giving a big part of his loot away to a sad woman he meets by chance. The Party suspects Gypo, who fingers an innocent man. At the subsequent "trial", the truth comes out. Gypo is locked up, but escapes. The denouement is not long in coming.
   
   THE INFORMER is fast paced, highly descriptive. I felt that sometimes the urge to describe everyone and everything in detail got the better of the author, his descriptive style began to resemble a Thomas Hart Benton mural, with each individual a caricature of a `type' or a `stock character'. The "firm jaws", the "mouths belonging to an average Irishwoman of the middle class", "he looked like a waiter thrown out of employment through old age".....very graphic, colorful, but somehow cartoonish. Anyway, little gripes aside, this is a novel that will hold your attention. It hangs together very well, connecting Irish history and society with a film-noir atmosphere of suspense, action, and intrigue. It catches the Dublin and the Ireland of the time, now changed out of all recognition by prosperity and respectability. And more luck to Ireland for that.



5. A great book! A twelve hour window into 1920s Dublin, it follows an informer that get tattles and gets his 'friend' killed.

5 comments about Dragon: Hound of Honor (Julie Andrews Collection).

1. You can definitely count on books from the Julie Andrews Collection to contain good story lines and inspiring messages. DRAGON: Hound of Honor is a perfect example of the fine quality work the collection encompasses.

   When the knight, Aubrey de Montdidier, mysteriously disappears there is an immediate sense of something amiss. Everyone in the kingdom is shocked, dismayed and horrified when, with the help of the knight's dog, Dragon, his bloodied body is found. No one can imagine why this terrible thing has happened, least of all his best friend Guy deNarac and his young page Thierry, plus Aubrey's future bride, the lovely Lady Isabelle. Through the dog, Dragon, a most unlikely suspect is eventually found, but how can a dog communicate this kind of information?

   Many interesting characters bring this story to life, but the most fascinating one is Dragon, the great white wolfhound. This dog is intelligent and loyal, and ultimately helps bring the murderer of his young master to justice. Readers will be amazed at the dog's courage and willingness to sacrifice himself --- this is the story of a real hero.

   Multiple expressions and words, which reflect both the time period and the French language, are found throughout the book. Helpful glossaries of French-English and medieval terms are provided for readers at the end. The authors have worked hard to tell a wonderful story and give an accurate picture of life during medieval times. Kids will undoubtedly enjoy this excellent book, which is perfect to use in an educational setting. Recommended for grades 5-8.

   --- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts (stibbetts@maine207west.k12.il.us)




2. A story of mystery and suspense, a book of honoring, and a thriller for the whole family. This book, dragon, is like a Sherlock Holmes mystery: Dragon is the explainer of what happened, DeNarsac is Sherlock, and Thierry is Watson.

   I suggest this book if your interested in the things below:
   1.Mystery
   2.Medieval times
   3.Knights
   4.Dear Watson
   By Jake




3. The book is about a dog and knights. There are a lot of surprising details in the book. The characters are all great, too. My favorite character is Dragon the dog. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes knights in battle. Thank you Julie Andrews for writing this book.



4. My daughter really loved this book. She is entering 4th grade and it was perfect for her.



5. This is a very nice book that every kid will love. The story is well kown legend of my country (france)with a lot of action and very good details of the middle age. Unfortunately, the author has obviously never met an Irish Wolfhound. I own one and believe me she has absolutely no idea of the power, strengh, weight and size of those dog!! Her descriptions are those of a large german sheperd not of a 75kg Wolfhound.
   If you are an Irish Wolfhound owner and buy this book for that reason, you will be disapointed.