1916--What People Saw

A man spouts blood like a fountain, a dog nearly goes mad, and children are not allowed near windows by their father. It was the Easter rising of 1916 in Ireland, long-planned and doomed. Nearly 400 people died and dozens more, including innocents unaffiliated with either side, were maimed. It ended with the execution of fifteen rebels by firing squad. The revolution that was to come was hardly less catastrophic, but this revolt was remembered, not as a precursor, but as an independent action. With typical Irish wit and sensitivity, these thirty or so accounts include the involvement of passers-by, the fear of ordinary folk caught in the crossfire, the optimism, and the pessimism when it became obvious that the tide was turning against home rule, that the beleaguered men would not come back. Here we have residents recount their taking care of the wounded, ignoring the whole situation, wondering at the cowardliness of some people, responding to the advancement of soldiers, trying to get normal work done in the midst of the revolt, looting, play-acting, weeping (including crocodile tears), and praising God for keeping a young girl's soul. The choices are excellent, and the volume packs a punch not present in more journalistic efforts. Distributed in the US by Dufour Editions, Inc. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)