Customer Reviews
Solid Overview - By: Bernard Dee, 12 Dec 2008 
This is a period of history that I am not very familiar with so I found this book to be exceptionally usefulin providing a well structured, comprehensive & balanced overview of the period. In contrast with the first reviewer I found the author to be very even handed when distributing both criticisms & praise. The book made me want to explore this periodin greater detail, especially the various sieges, which to my mind is the sign of a good book - it inspires the reader to explore the topic further. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a general interestin the period who wishes to get to grips with the issues & players of this complex period of Irish history. As an aside I read this book immediately after the magesterial 4 volume history of the Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan & God's Executioner was not found wantingin comparison with Kagans masterwork.
Without the wart. - By: P. G. Lee, 26 Nov 2008 Dr O'Siochru book is well researched history of Cromwell's military activitiesin Irelandin the 1640's.
A great manin many respects Cromwell's great stain is Ireland.
The 'Troubles' which Ireland suffered for the next four hundred years are the result.
To be able to speak openly & honestly is the task of the historian even if the result makes some uncomfortable.
Tinted History - By: C. W. Robinson, 01 Nov 2008 
This book does not provide us with anything new as regards to some Irish attitudes to Cromwell, it merely repeats what has gone before. Its style is the new instant history, written for 'television' varity that is so common today.Expressions like 'well known bigot' are hardly expressions you expect to findin serious history books,well I don't anyway!He cherry picks his sources to suit his arguement,it is also a bit short on notes.
He is making the mistake that so many Irish historians have a habit of making, he has forgotten to take his 'green tinted glasses' off.If you want your historyin black & white this is the book for you.But history does not comein black or white(or Orange & Geen for that matter),but shades of grey.Cromwell was a man of his time with all that implies.In the Ireland of the 1640's & 50's no ones hands were clean.Also is does show that a history degree or even a doctorate does not nessicerly make one a good historian.
