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Ireland’s Great Famine, Britain’s Great Failure

William H A Williams author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Anthem Press

Published:8th Feb '22

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Ireland’s Great Famine, Britain’s Great Failure cover

A unique, in-depth understanding of the background to the Irish Famine, a detailed account of the crisis as it unfolded, and the immediate and long-term results of the catastrophe.

This book provides readers with a unique, in-depth understanding of the background to the Irish Famine and a detailed account of the crisis as it unfolded, as well as the immediate and long-term results of the catastrophe. In addition to ecological and agriculture factors, this work reveals how cultural as well as economic and political influences shaped British reaction to the Famine.

This book provides readers with a unique, in-depth understanding of the background to the Irish Famine and a detailed account of the crisis, as well as the immediate and long-term results of the catastrophe. In addition to exploring the ecological and agriculture factors, this work shows how cultural, economic and political influences shaped British attitudes and policies. When the entire potato crop failed in the fall of 1846, what began as an ecological disaster quickly became a political one. Hampered by long-standing prejudice and Anglo-Irish tensions, the British government’s various attempts to deal with the humanitarian crisis were muddled by competing economic and social goals. Among these was the idea that the Famine represented an “opportunity” to purge Ireland of fragmented land holding and potato dependency by encouraging an English-type market-driven agriculture. Changes did occur, but the government’s imperial dreams eventually ran up against Irish realities. 

“This book presents fresh perspectives on crucial socio-economic pressures, cultural currents, and ecological factors that shaped the Great Famine’s course and outcomes. Written with a keen understanding of contemporary political actions and attitudes, its integrative, contextualized approach contributes an innovative retelling of the Famine’s history to the field.” — Mary C. Kelly, Franklin Pierce University, US.

ISBN: 9781839981814

Dimensions: 229mm x 153mm x 26mm

Weight: 454g

332 pages