Overview

A growing band of historians, political commentators, and cultural critics has sought to analyse Ireland'past and present in colonial terms. For some, including Irish Republicans, it is the only proper framework for understanding Ireland. Others reject the very use of the colonial label for Ireland's history; while using the term for the present arouses outrage, especially amongst Ulster Unionists. This book evaluates and analyses these controversies, ranging from debates over the ancient and medieval past to those in current literary and postcolonial theory. Scholarly, at times polemical, it is the most comprehensive study of these themes ever to appear, and will undoubtedly stimulate discussion for years to come.

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9780198208259

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Reviews

`Its footnotes are a treat to read, as they are cutting and frequently amusing' History `One of Howe's great virtues is that he is accurate when portraying the writings of those with whom he disagrees, which is no small achievement' History `Presents the views of the various players in the debate fairly and often more clearly than they do themselves' History `Howe ... deserves commendation for addressing his subjects and readers as equals rather than mystified puppets or keepers of ineffable mysteries, and for sharpening the tools of our labours.' Patrick Maume, Queens University Belfast `This should be read by anyone interested in understanding the ways in which historians, lierary critics, political scientists, poiticians and propogandists have perceived Ireland's past and present. Howe offers a wide ranging and sophisticated challenge to those who would put colonialism and imperialism at the centre of explanations of Ireland's history and current condition.' Brendan Smith, Unversity of Bristol. `the author does a service by showing that the great divide is not always or even mainly sectarian.' Robert Redmond, Contemporary Review, Nov.2000. `a valuable contribution to the understanding of a serious problem.' Robert Redmond, Contemporary Review, Nov.2000. `Debates between nationalists and so-called revisionists have raged over the years. Stephen Howe's provocative new book is a brave attempt to untangle aspects of this debate.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `Howe reviews a massive amount of historical and cultural, literature to highlight the approaches of hundreds of different writers to the key question - where does Ireland fit in? A more relevant or better researched book would be difficult to find.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `A key part of Howe's book is an analysis of the debate on the modern Troubles.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `This is a rich book, which will create debate and probably heated argument. It is one of those books whose conclusions many will disagree with but which raises such fundamental questions about Anglo-Irish relations over the centuries, that even critics will applaud Stephen Howe for undertaking to write it.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `Ireland and Empire is not for the general reader looking for cheap simplicities. It is more of a swipe at those authors, academics and politicians who are unable to cope with the contradictions, ambiguities and ambivalence contained in the past.' Patrick West, Catholic Herald

A lucid and acute analysis of the various debates about colonialism and Ireland ... In identifying and delineating the debate(s), he [Howe] has saved the rest of us a lot of painful and largely unrewarding labour. In addition, he has provided us with some witty scholarly entertainment along the way. What more could we ask? Irish Historical Studies This is a rich book, which will create debate and probably heated argument. It is one of those books whose conclusions many will disagree with but which raises such fundamental questions about Anglo-Irish relations over the centuries, that even critics will applaud Stephen Howe for undertaking to write it Jonathan Moore, Irish Post Ireland and Empire is an entertaining historiographical essay, which is timely, coherent and argumentative. Edward Cavanagh, Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History

Ireland and Empire is an entertaining historiographical essay, which is timely, coherent and argumentative. * Edward Cavanagh, Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History * This is a rich book, which will create debate and probably heated argument. It is one of those books whose conclusions many will disagree with but which raises such fundamental questions about Anglo-Irish relations over the centuries, that even critics will applaud Stephen Howe for undertaking to write it * Jonathan Moore, Irish Post * A lucid and acute analysis of the various debates about colonialism and Ireland ... In identifying and delineating the debate(s), he [Howe] has saved the rest of us a lot of painful and largely unrewarding labour. In addition, he has provided us with some witty scholarly entertainment along the way. What more could we ask? * Irish Historical Studies *

`Its footnotes are a treat to read, as they are cutting and frequently amusing' History `One of Howe's great virtues is that he is accurate when portraying the writings of those with whom he disagrees, which is no small achievement' History `Presents the views of the various players in the debate fairly and often more clearly than they do themselves' History `Howe ... deserves commendation for addressing his subjects and readers as equals rather than mystified puppets or keepers of ineffable mysteries, and for sharpening the tools of our labours.' Patrick Maume, Queens University Belfast `This should be read by anyone interested in understanding the ways in which historians, lierary critics, political scientists, poiticians and propogandists have perceived Ireland's past and present. Howe offers a wide ranging and sophisticated challenge to those who would put colonialism and imperialism at the centre of explanations of Ireland's history and current condition.' Brendan Smith, Unversity of Bristol. `the author does a service by showing that the great divide is not always or even mainly sectarian.' Robert Redmond, Contemporary Review, Nov.2000. `a valuable contribution to the understanding of a serious problem.' Robert Redmond, Contemporary Review, Nov.2000. `Debates between nationalists and so-called revisionists have raged over the years. Stephen Howe's provocative new book is a brave attempt to untangle aspects of this debate.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `Howe reviews a massive amount of historical and cultural, literature to highlight the approaches of hundreds of different writers to the key question - where does Ireland fit in? A more relevant or better researched book would be difficult to find.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `A key part of Howe's book is an analysis of the debate on the modern Troubles.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `This is a rich book, which will create debate and probably heated argument. It is one of those books whose conclusions many will disagree with but which raises such fundamental questions about Anglo-Irish relations over the centuries, that even critics will applaud Stephen Howe for undertaking to write it.' Jonathan Moore, Irish Post, 8th July 00. `Ireland and Empire is not for the general reader looking for cheap simplicities. It is more of a swipe at those authors, academics and politicians who are unable to cope with the contradictions, ambiguities and ambivalence contained in the past.' Patrick West, Catholic Herald

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