Cecil Woodham-Smith

Ireland 1845-1849

The Irish potato famine of the 1840s, perhaps the most appalling event of the Victorian era, killed over a million people and drove as many more to emigrate to America. It may not have been the result of deliberate government policy, yet British &lsquo;obtuseness, short-sightedness and ignorance&rsquo; &ndash; and stubborn commitment to laissez-faire &lsquo;solutions&rsquo; &ndash; largely caused the disaster and prevented any serious efforts to relieve suffering. The continuing impact on Anglo-Irish relations was incalculable, the immediate human cost almost inconceivable. In this vivid and disturbing book Cecil Woodham-Smith provides the definitive account.<br/>
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&lsquo;A moving and terrible book. It combines great literary power with great learning. It explains much in modern Ireland &ndash; and in modern America&rsquo; D.W. Brogan.

The Great Hunger

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