Books?

[irishrgr]

A question lads, I'm writing a paper for university. Decided to do a term paper on the irish Army 1945-2003. Looking for any books the group can recommend. I've got "History of the Irish Army" "Tough at the Bottom" (weird book) "Enemies of the State" (or whatever it's called, can't remember title), I'm downloading the white paper and a few other bits from the website. The more the merrier, knowledge is power. Bear in mind, I need to be able to get it on the internet, books on the Irish Defense Forces are a bit thin on the ground here in Austin, Texas.

Cheers,

A

[yooklid]

I think Osprey have produced a new book "The Irish Defence Forces since 1922". It will probably helpful. General consensus on "Tough at the Bottom" is that it is rather self serving shite. If you can, try and get your hands on "An Cosantoir" which is the Irish DF in house magazine. It's pretty damn good. If you were doing the war period I'd recommend "In Time of War" by Robert Fisk, as it is meticulously detailed, and it's probably Fisk's best work (before he lost the plot completely)

-Y

[Cosantor]

"Irish Army Vehicles: Transport and Armour Since 1922", by Karl Martin, ISBN: 0954341309 ,deals with the vehicles used by the Defence Forces but also the narriative on each gives an insight on how and why the equipment was bought and/or modified.

[Cosantor]

The osprey book that yooklid, memtioned is:
"The Irish Defence Forces Since 1922 (Men-at-arms S.)", ISBN: 1841767425

But be cafeful as using this as a refernce, it's an informative little book, but is full of typo's.......eg the RDF, becomes the DFR, and the PDF the DFP.

But overall its a good read.

[Mick O'Toole]

I remember years ago reading an excellent book called "The Emergency" - can't remember the author, however.

[FMolloy]

Osprey also do the Irish Volunteer Soldier 1913-1923. Do you have 'Defending Ireland' by Eunan O'Halpin? ISBN 0-19-924269-0

[Cosantor]

Irishrgr, remember that WWII lasted from 1939 to 1945, but the "Emergency" period was from 1939, until 1946, and believe it or not, Eire, actually qualified for aid under the Marshal Plan.

That in mind some other books would be:

"Ireland During the Second World War" by Ian S. Wood, ISBN: 1840674180
A good book that goes into the politics of the time and how Eire coped during "The Emergency"

"Landfall Ireland: Downed Military Aircraft in Neutral Ireland 1939-1945", by Donal MacCarron, ISBN: 1904242030 , slightly out of your time period, but covers how the Army Aer Corps was prepaired for the war and how it coped with downed airmen and aircraft.

"Step Together: Story of Ireland's Emergency Army as Told by Its Veterans", by Donal MacCarron, ISBN: 0716526190
Again a good refernce especially in relation to the LDF.

[irishrgr]

thanks

Thanks for the input lads, I'll be dropping some coin on Amazon.

[yooklid]

Don't forget to post your papaer!

[irishrgr]

paper

I'll be happy to post the paper, I figured if I title it "The History of the Irish Army from the "Emergency" to 2003" the instructor will have no idea what the $%ck I'm on about. He's a former Marine, so I'll be sure and use lots of little words and nice colours.....cheers,
A

[combatlogo]

He's a former Marine, so I'll be sure and use lots of little words and nice colours.....cheers,
A

No such thing as a "former" or "ex" Marine...if he's so thick, what value is there in taking his course???

[strummer]

...He's a former Marine, so I'll be sure and use lots of little words and nice colours.....cheers,
A

You better spell it "COLORS" or else the Marine will be covering your paper in red ink !!! You don't want him thinking you're a pansy European, do ya ???!!!

Later.

[hptmurphy]

Step together by Donal MacCarron gives a nice insight into wartime conditions in the DF.

there is another obscure book called' A military history of Ireland' edited by Thomas Bartlett and Keith Jeffery....gives a very good over view of Irelands entire Military history

published by cambridge..ISBN# 0-521-62989-6

[hptmurphy]

Also as a reference....'A guide to Irish Military Heritage' by Brian Hanley

ISBN# 1-85182-789-7

an absolute cracker!

[mutter nutter]

"Irish Army Vehicles: Transport and Armour Since 1922", by Karl Martin, ISBN: 0954341309 ,deals with the vehicles used by the Defence Forces but also the narriative on each gives an insight on how and why the equipment was bought and/or modified.

Does anyone know if Karl Martin is doing an update on his book?