Thomas Francis Meagher And the Irish Brigade in the Civil War
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    Thomas Francis Meagher And the Irish Brigade in the Civil War
    Daniel M. Callaghan
    Manufacturer: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    IrishIrish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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    Similar Items:
    1. Thomas Francis Meagher: The Making Of An Irish American (Irish Abroad) Thomas Francis Meagher: The Making Of An Irish American (Irish Abroad)
    2. The Irish General: Thomas Francis Meagher The Irish General: Thomas Francis Meagher

    ASIN: 078642401X

    Product Description

    When President Abraham Lincoln issued his call to arms in 1861, the 63rd, 69th and 88th New York Volunteers were among the first to step forward to defend the Union. Comprised primarily of first and second generation Irish immigrants, these three regiments were later joined by the 28th Massachusetts and the 116th Pennsylvania. Although many of these Irish men were decidedly anti–Lincoln—blaming the northern abolitionists as much as the southern rebels for the nation’s plight—they worked around their dilemma by pledging their allegiance to their new country and its flag rather than its president. Suffering heavy casualties, this Irish Brigade under the command of Thomas Francis Meagher became one of the most legendary fighting groups of the Civil War. This work provides a balanced, historically factual picture of the Irish Brigade and its commander by re-examining and re-interpreting existing accounts. It presents an unbiased account of the role that the Brigade played in the confrontations, during the Seven Days’ battles, at Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The author examines the ways in which contemporary sources distorted the historical actualities regarding the Irish Brigade—attempting to write into the annals of legend a story which needed no embellishment—and the tempering effect which chronological distance has produced, resulting in more critical and dispassionate publications. The effect of politics and political manipulation on the Irish regiments is also discussed. Sources range from memoirs published by brigade veterans in the years immediately following the war to letters and memoirs published as recently as 1996.
    THE THUNDER MAKER GENERAL THOMAS MEAGHER
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      THE THUNDER MAKER GENERAL THOMAS MEAGHER

      Manufacturer: Bruce Publishing First Edition
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000GABTSG
      The River's Edge: Libby Townsend Meagher and Thomas Francis Meagher Their Love Story
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • The River's Edge, A Great 19th Century Love Story
      The River's Edge: Libby Townsend Meagher and Thomas Francis Meagher Their Love Story
      Lenore McKelvey Puhek
      Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 0595378471

      Book Description

      “Of the chapters I have been privileged to read, you have created a stunning, beautiful story, the best you've ever done, and I enjoyed every word. You wrote magic.”
      —Richard S. Wheeler, author of over fifty historical novels and winner of the Owen Wister Award and several Western Writers of America Spur Awards

      As was the custom, Libby and Thomas had retired to the parlor after the Sunday meal. A roaring fire warmed the room as Libby set a newly acquired Ming vase, a Christmas present from her mother, on the mantle piece. When she turned around, Thomas surprised her by dropping to one knee and taking both of her delicate hands into his larger ones. “Libby, ta me i ngra leat. An bPósfaibh tú mé? And not waiting for a translation, Libby said, “Yes.” When she heard Thomas professing his love for her and proposing in Irish, it was music coming from his soul to hers. The arrival of the love letter the next day, cemented her commitment and future to the only man she would ever love.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars The River's Edge, A Great 19th Century Love Story.......2006-03-05

      Lenore Puhek's The River's Edge is a great love story based on the lives of Thomas Meagher and Libby Townsend. The story is based on real life events that begin in New York City, unfold worldwide, and end on the Western frontier in Montana Territory in 1867. Puhek adds real flesh to the dry bones of history bringing to life these two lovers and the times they lived in. If you enjoy historical fiction based on actual events and brought as close to reality as is humanly possible, then the River's Edge is a book you won't want to put down.
      The Summer House Trilogy (Common Reader Editions)
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • Let Them Say It Themselves
      • A Unique Commentary on Marriage, Motherhood & Secrets
      • "The honeymoon will soon put the roses back in her cheeks."
      • Laughter amid some of life's darkest tragedies
      • Ellis is a master storyteller
      The Summer House Trilogy (Common Reader Editions)
      Alice Thomas Ellis , and Alice Thomas Ellis
      Manufacturer: Akadine Press, The
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      1. The Sin Eater The Sin Eater
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      3. God Has Not Changed: The Assembled Thoughts Of Alice Thomas Ellis God Has Not Changed: The Assembled Thoughts Of Alice Thomas Ellis
      4. Summer House Summer House
      5. The 27th Kingdom The 27th Kingdom

      ASIN: 1585790281

      Book Description

      A sharp comedy of marriage, motherhood, and scandal, filled with mordant wit and moral philosophy. Its constituent novels The Clothes in the Wardrobe (1987), The Skeleton in the Cupboard (1988), and The Fly in the Ointment (1989) describe from three points of view the circumstances surrounding a wedding which, at the last minute, fortunately fails to take place. Basis for the 1993 film. With a new Afterword by Thomas Meagher.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Let Them Say It Themselves.......2004-03-29

      Alice Thomas Ellis has written a book with three sensational women and their men in "The Summer House, A Trilogy". This story is told by three of the women involved from their own perspective. Margaret the young maiden about to be married; Mrs. Munro, the mother-in-law to be; and Lili, the other woman. This book is a masterpiece, subtle but provocative.

      Margaret is a young woman about to be married. She lives with her mother, Monica, a woman who was deceived and divorced from Margaret's father, Derek. Monica has lived her life through Margaret since the divorce, and Margaret is shrewd enough to note this. Monica is planning Margaret's wedding as she has planned her entire life. She does not listen nor does she want to understand Margaret. Margaret was sexually abused by her father as a very young child. This has never been spoken about but is the probable cause of Margaret's depressive state. She is too quiet, too good, too boring. Margaret is just back from spending time in Egypt with one of Monica's old school chums, Marie Claire. Margaret was homesick but had time to develop a crush on Marie Claire's son, Nour. That is, until she found Nour with the body of a dead woman. Once back, Margaret became unwittingly engaged to Syl, a contemporary of her mother's. How did this happen? He asked her to marry him, and she did not say no. She is very unhappy with this engagement, and everyone knows something is wrong. Life goes on, Margaret is too unhappy, too depressed to stand up for herself, it is not worth the torment her mother would put her through.

      Mrs. Munro is Syl's mother. He loves her, but everyone else thinks she is a sour puss,, and someone to be tolerated. Mrs. Munro lives with Syl and a dog named Dog, The dog is as troublesome as Mrs. Munro is. Syl has made an apartment just for her. She does not like the apartment; she wants her old home back. But she is old and this is also Syl's home. Mrs. Munro had a fairly happy life alone. She was married to Jack, Syl's father. Jack was a womanizer, and Mrs. Munro did not really like him, another tolerated soul. Mrs. Munro does not think that Margaret should marry Syl. She likes Margaret, but she too, understands that something is not quite right. Margaret does not love Syl. This wedding must not go on. One woman likes and understands Mrs. Munro and that is Lili. Lili visits everyday and the two form a friendship of sorts.

      Lili is also a school chum of Monica's. She is married to Robert, an artist. They have a marriage of convenience and maybe of love. Each of them has had affairs, which are not discussed. Robert makes Lili feel insecure and that was not a feeling she liked. She was a woman who was always in control and in charge. She was a beautiful woman with red, curly hair,lovely skin and a sense of style. Margaret liked and admired Lili. She would talk in little bits and pieces about her life and what she wanted. Lili listened and she knew she had to act. Someone had to help Margaret out of this mess she found herself in. Margaret wanted to be a nun, which certainly suits her more than a loveless marriage. Lili wanted a life of money and ease and had found neither, but now, someone was counting on her. And, so Lili danced. Dancing is Lili's way of solving problems and a synonym for sex.

      This elegant, entertaining book is reassuring in some ways. There are people in the world who understand their position, and are there to assist the downtrodden. This mismatched couple who have nothing in common except a planned wedding. Lili, the woman who will change things in a spectacular fashion! prisrob

      5 out of 5 stars A Unique Commentary on Marriage, Motherhood & Secrets.......2004-03-20

      Alice Thomas Ellis' "The Summerhouse Trilogy" proves true the old adage, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Three interrelated novellas, "The Clothes In The Wardrobe," "The Skeleton In The Cupboard," and "The Fly In The Ointment" are each narrated by different characters and portray events leading up to a wedding. Three different woman with different points of view paint virtually the same scenes, and the same memories, viewed through different eyes. The reader only begins to see the whole picture when all the parts are combined and can be viewed as a whole.

      Ms. Ellis writes this penetrating character study with wit, irony and, at times, great poignancy. Margaret, a young English woman returns home after a dramatic and traumatic visit with family friends in Egypt. She finds herself suddenly, unhappily engaged to the man next door, Syl, who is twice her age. Margaret lives with her domineering mother whose husband abandoned her for another years ago. Syl lives with his mother, Mrs. Monro, a strong figure who also had difficulties in her marriage and is aware that death is not far off. Lili, an old friend of Margaret's mother, enters center stage, acting as a catalyst to stir up memories, secrets and events to come.

      Ms. Ellis insightfully explores the human drama and the various forms of love with sensitivity and a unique gentleness. Her character development is extraordinary. She creates three totally different women, interconnected through friendship, marriage and love, and gives them tremendous depth. I highly recommend this beautifully written trilogy.
      JANA

      5 out of 5 stars "The honeymoon will soon put the roses back in her cheeks.".......2004-03-05

      Alice Thomas Ellis skewers the attitudes and expectations which her characters bring to love and marriage, both as they live their own lives and as they judge the lives of others. But she is also an understanding author, recognizing that their foibles and limitations stem from their upbringing and experience, as they muddle along as best they can, aided by each other, and sometimes the church. This three-part novel concerns the imminent marriage of twenty-year-old Margaret to Syl, a man in his forties, and is told through three points of view: Margaret, who does not love Syl but intends to go through with the wedding; Syl's mother, the sensible Mrs. Monro, who, abandoned by her husband, does not want the marriage to take place; and Lili, a friend of Margaret's mother from school in Egypt, who arrives in a whirlwind, determined to upset the status quo.

      From Margaret we learn of her passionate first love and a shocking death that have occurred during the year she spent away at school in Egypt. Devoutly religious, Margaret is torn between the concepts of romantic and religious love, and she cannot seem to reconcile the church's teachings regarding love, sex, sin, and death. Mrs. Monro, an elderly lady for whom death is very real, if not imminent, is hiding secrets associated with her own past love life. For her, too, love is associated with death and God, though in ways vastly different from Margaret's experience. Into this mix comes Lili, half Egyptian, half English, a free spirit unconcerned with traditional, churchly definitions of sin, and sexually liberated in her own life. Lili is determined to save Margaret from the "pointless secular martyrdom" of marriage.

      A sensitive, philosophical exploration of love and sex, God and sin, and life and death, the novel is also an examination of the compromises people make, willingly or unwillingly, in order to find happiness during their lives and loves. Sparkling dialogue and thoughtful interior monologues reveal the sadness, loneliness, and confusion within many of the characters, while Ellis's sense of irony and ability to create absurd scenes lift the mood with cathartic comedy. Gently satirical and full of wise observations, this is an insightful and thoroughly entertaining study of several characters, interconnected by love and marriage, as they try to "muddle through." Mary Whipple

      5 out of 5 stars Laughter amid some of life's darkest tragedies.......2004-02-06

      Part of the fun of the novel is creating a coherent sense of plot in your mind since the book is essentially three character's views of the same few days. As you experience different points of view, you get the pleasure of "Ah, Ha!" as you piece together what motivated certain characters and caused them to act as they did. There is murder, there is adultery, there is abuse: this is a dark world with people in pain. But there is also laughter and love along with vivid, rich glimpses of past moments. The novel challenges our conventional judgements of human behavior, making the outrageous logical and the unforgivable, forgivable.

      5 out of 5 stars Ellis is a master storyteller.......2003-09-12

      I read this because I saw the movie with the same name starring Jeanne Moreau. The manner in which Ellis splits the tale into three narratives gives the story a texture far more intricate than that which could have been achieved if it were told any other way. The character Lili (played by Moreau in the film) is so delicious you'll wish there were volumes to follow.
      Thomas Francis Meagher: The Making Of An Irish American (Irish Abroad)
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • T.F. Meagher; An Enigma.
      Thomas Francis Meagher: The Making Of An Irish American (Irish Abroad)

      Manufacturer: Irish Academic Press
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      IrishIrish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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      PoliticalPolitical | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
      United States Civil WarUnited States Civil War | Military | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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      Similar Items:
      1. Thomas Francis Meagher And the Irish Brigade in the Civil War Thomas Francis Meagher And the Irish Brigade in the Civil War
      2. The Irish General: Thomas Francis Meagher The Irish General: Thomas Francis Meagher

      ASIN: 0716528134

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars T.F. Meagher; An Enigma........2006-03-20

      It seems the more T.F. Meagher is written about, the more complex he becomes. Was he an adventurer, drunkard, opportunist bent on personal glory or was he an orator with few equals, a deeply committed patriot to both Ireland and the country of his adoption, the United States. Some facts we know: He was universally loved and admired by the troops he lead throughout his time as commander of the 69th Regiment - 'The Fighting Irish.'He was passionate in everything he was involved - witness his speeches throughout his career on the conflict in Ireland and in the U.S. Witness his extraordinary love letter to his future wife Libby Townsend. We know he drank but there is not one shred of evidence that he drank before or during battle. Like all individuals destined for greatness he had his detractors, including those from the Confederate side who sought to besmirch his name and reputation and those - mainly Masons, nativists and religious bigots - he encountered in his short term as Acting Governor of Montana. This book discusses all these issues in a calm, analytical way by Meagher scholars knowledgeable in the different phases of Meagher's life and career. It is a book well worth perusing, Jim Cullinane
      Fairy Tale (Common Reader Editions)
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • What might seem quaint, simply aint....
      • "I'm sick of the smell of fresh air."
      • Contains a Scene of Superb Comic Genius
      • self-indulgent
      • kinky take on a fairytale
      Fairy Tale (Common Reader Editions)
      Alice Thomas Ellis
      Manufacturer: Akadine Press, The
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      4. God Has Not Changed: The Assembled Thoughts Of Alice Thomas Ellis God Has Not Changed: The Assembled Thoughts Of Alice Thomas Ellis

      ASIN: 1888173408

      Amazon.com

      Imagine Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White, and Morgan Le Fey folded into one story and you'll have some idea of Alice Thomas Ellis's quirky novel, Fairy Tale. Set in the wooded hills and remote valleys of Wales, Ellis's modern-day romance follows the fortunes of young Eloise and her paramour, Simon, as they leave promising careers in London behind and adopt, instead, a rural life. Simon, who had a future in advertising, becomes a woodworker, while Eloise makes her living sewing chic clothing out of old lace. Despite their idyllic surroundings, Eloise is beginning to feel bored by the quiet life--so much so that she wishes for a baby to give her life purpose. Be careful what you wish for, Eloise--the magic begins when four mysterious men appear in Eloise's garden just as she pricks her finger with a needle, dripping a drop of blood onto her white lace. Before you can say "Magic Mirror on the Wall," all kinds of fey events begin to happen: Eloise disappears on long walks in the woods, one time emerging bone dry from a stroll in a rainstorm, another time returning home with a mysterious green-eyed, silver-haired baby.

      Readers will understand that the characters in this novel are not what they seem far sooner than Eloise and Simon do; nevertheless, half the fun in this moonstruck novel is Ellis's juxtaposition of her oblivious human characters with her all-too-aware--and slightly scary--fairy ones. Light, slightly satirical, impeccably written, this is one Fairy Tale meant for adults.

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars What might seem quaint, simply aint...........2006-11-13

      Fairy Tale: A Novel by Alice Thomas Ellis is the story of Eloise, her husband Simon, her mother Clare, and an old family friend, Miriam. It is the first work of fiction I have read by the late English novelist and commentator, Alice Thomas Ellis. The book is a like a play in two acts. The first half of this book sets up the ending. American readers may find it a bit slow starting, as Ellis has a great knack for dialogue, as a way of showing the reader around so to speak. It's a story about that little house in the country, we city and civilized folks always seem to long for. But, it is much more. While many stories have been written about the dumbfounded city slicker, out of his or her element, in the country, that is not the issue here. Fairy Tale is a story about getting more than you asked for, and being totally unprepared to deal with it. It is how we react to the out of the ordirnary, but on a higher level how we surrender to those mysterious things that, on two levels, the temporal and spritiual, may not be good for us. In the end you might go native, but you might not come back, unless you are lucky. Fairy Tale is a good read, and a good introduction for the American reader into the great writings of Alice Thomas Ellis.

      5 out of 5 stars "I'm sick of the smell of fresh air.".......2005-09-26

      One of Ellis's most unusual novels, Fairy Tale is simultaneously bizarre and darkly humorous, intensely realistic and also fantastic, and magical but absurd, a combination certain to intrigue lovers of fine writing and keep them reading with fascination. Seventeen-year-old Eloise and her lover Simon have moved to a small country cottage in Wales where they are in touch with the flowers, birds, and the natural world, all beautifully described by Ellis. With tongue-in-cheek humor, Ellis describes the influence on Eloise of an older woman known as "Moonbird," with her ideas of a "woman's mission," which has resulted in Eloise's self-conscious awareness of the lovely, madonna-like scene she creates as she hand sews nightdresses and petticoats to sell in a shop in the nearby market town. Simon works as a carpenter.

      From the opening paragraph with its references to "watchers," Ellis establishes a sense of mystery, and as the action evolves, and Eloise is visited by her ditzy mother Clare and her mother's more realistic friend Miriam, who come to investigate strange goings-on at the cottage, the reader gradually realizes that Eloise is being courted by magical spirits in the form of four men who pay a series of visits to her.

      Ellis's trademark humor is revealed especially through scenes in which the silly Clare and the realistic Miriam try to understand and rationalize what is going on, and the reader gradually suspects that the house is haunted and that the men-in-suits have a special destiny in mind for Eloise. In Part II, when Eloise suddenly appears with a baby, who lives in a rush-lined, ancient cradle and never cries, the magic and its power become even more haunting.

      Black magic and white magic combine with religious themes as Eloise, Clare, and the other residents of this strange cottage come to grips with the unknown and how to deal with it--if at all. What makes Ellis's novel so unusual, is that in this novel the reader is also confronted with the reverse question--how do the supernatural beings themselves deal with reality? Ellis's suggestion of the dependency of the fairy spirits on humans is unique, to say the least. Entertaining and filled with ironic humor, this novel is also thought-provoking and unique. n Mary Whipple

      5 out of 5 stars Contains a Scene of Superb Comic Genius.......2004-02-06

      There are some comic moments in novels that I never forget and that make me smile and laugh when I recall them. This novel has one of those great moments in it. Part of the fun of the novel is in the slow move from realism to the supernatural. The story begins with a couple trying to make a living on a small farm in Wales. The novel's beautiful descriptions of Wales, of the quaint cottage, and the picture-postcard romance of the young couple's country life lull us into the fantasy of a return to older days and times when country people believed in fairies. The strange happenings in the Welsh countryside begin simply, and we are slowly sucked into the weird, eerie atmosphere of the novel. The addition of two wordly women to farming couple's life adds more tensions as social values clash. Humor and social satire increase along with the tension until you reach a most magnificent climax and enjoyable denoument.

      3 out of 5 stars self-indulgent.......2002-11-27

      This book has a premise--that fairy folk are interfering in the world of humans--and not much else. The plot takes fully half the book's length to get going, and results in only one real event. That would probably be okay, if the rest of the reader's time were spent with the fairies, or immersed in Welsh culture, or in historical flashbacks. Sadly, though, we are treated to the dreary company of three not-very-likeable women: an insufferable young artisan, her neurotic mother, and the mother's dull friend. If, however, you have read and liked this book, I'd like to recommend Kathryn Davis' "The Walking Tour." Also set in Wales, with a slight element of the supernatural, and a bit more life to it.

      5 out of 5 stars kinky take on a fairytale.......2001-03-31

      This story is so cute and kooky that it deserves a read. Young Eloise, living in the Welsh countryside is bored just sewing old fashioned flowing dresses and begins thinking about having a baby.

      She goes off for a walk one day through the fields and returns with a baby that she insists is her own. And it just gets odder from there!

      This is just a wonderful read, perfect for settling down in a comfy spot on a wintry day and devouring.
      The Exile
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • The Exile
      • Meagher of the Sword
      • Reader's Review of The Exile
      The Exile
      Richard S. Wheeler
      Manufacturer: Forge Books
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

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      ASIN: 0312878478

      Book Description

      homas Francis Meagher was a disturber of the peace. Banished from his native Ireland for sedition and exiled to remote Van Diemen's Land, an island off the south Australian coast, he escaped imprisonment and reached New York in 1852. Feted as 'Meagher of the Sword,' he became an irresistible voice in Tammany politics, campaigning for Franklin Pierce and sitting for an interview by Horace Greeley. But Meagher's real passion was for his home country's separation from British rule and he traveled the US lecturing endlessly for his cause. To his roles as revolutionary, lecturer, lawyer, and news-paperman, Meagner added soldier when he fought for the Union in the Civil War. At the vanguard of his Irish Brigade he fought valiantly at Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, but ended the war broken in spirit and ruined professionally. After winning a minor appointment as secretary to the governor of Montana Territory, the great warrior found himself embroiled in territorial problems-an absentee government, the nefarious work of a powerful vigilance committee, and dangerous issues with the Indian tribes of the region. In July, 1867, in the eighteenth year of his exile from his beloved Ireland, Thomas Meagher disappeared while traveling on a river steamer and was given up as drowned. Richard S. Wheeler solves this mystery in his moving, meticulously researched novel.

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars The Exile.......2005-12-05

      Tom Meager is not what you would expect as a typical war hero. He was of Irish decent and exiled from his country to the island known as Van Diemen's Land. After getting to America, Meager soon came to prominence in the Irish community around New York. Having a hard time making money, Tom resorted to motivational speaking around the New England area up until the time where he joined the Union as the head of the Irish brigade. Despite Meager's men being led to their slaughter, Meager continued to win respect as a man and general in the Union army.
      The Exile is an interesting tale of an Irishman in an American war. It tells what the outside groupd was thinking rather than the normal American white soldier story did. I liked the whole lead into the story about Meager and his exile, but the focus of the story wasn't what the title might lead one to think. The more interesting story line was the leadership in the Civil War itself by Meager. The way he handled himself for a cause that was not truly his was the reason he is a hero. This story would be good for people who enjoy western books and is fairly good at the actual combat in the book.

      5 out of 5 stars Meagher of the Sword.......2004-01-28

      This book reads like a ballad, each chapter an Irish lament for a brave man doomed by fate and history. The language scans like poetry, with an Irish lilt.

      Irish rebels were a tough lot because they had to be, resisting oppression and starvation with few resources except will and spirit. Thomas Francis Meagher made enough trouble to be transported to the penal colonies in Australia but they didn't hold him long. The book begins as he escapes.

      Meagher -- son of a gentleman, Lord Mayor of Waterford, M.P. -- lands in Boston and Washington where the signs say "no Irish need apply." Unable to find either a job or a political "position," he makes his living by lecturing until the Civil War gobbles him up.

      It is as much a story of the Irish as of Meagher. Starved into leaving their green home, they came grieving to the new country to be rejected, crowded out, treated like beasts, and used as cannon fodder. The Green Brigade with its green flag, embroidered with a golden harp, went first into the worst of the battles. When their flag was shot to bits, Meagher taught them to wear a sprig of green boxwood in their hats, but often it was the soldiers who were also shot to bits.

      Afterwards Meagher ends up in a place that in those days was not much more hospitable than Australia: Montana territory where he was acting governor in the days of gold strikes, vigilantes, and Indian massacres. Before he could find his footing, he was lost overboard in the night from a steamship tied up on the Missouri at Fort Benton. His body was never found. Killed by enemies or betrayed by friends? Or simply too drunk to keep from falling overboard?

      Meagher of the Sword, they called him, and his statue today stands in front of the Montana capitol building where he sits a horse and brandishes a sword overhead. (The sculptor's name was Mulligan, don't ye know?) Is it a mistaken monument or was the man a deserving patriot? This book won't tell you, but it will give you plenty of evidence to turn over in your mind.

      It's a story to be told by someone who can make the battles clear and sketch out the lines of contention among a dozen tangled parties. Wheeler can do this. The book is far beyond being a genre historical novel. Wheeler has done five-finger exercies long enough -- they pay off in this concerto.

      5 out of 5 stars Reader's Review of The Exile.......2004-01-19

      Richard Wheeler's The Exile is an exciting fast-paced historical novel chronicling the life of the Irish-American patriot, Thomas Francis Meagher. Tom Meagher arrives in New York City in 1852 after the British convicted him of being a leader of the Irish rebellion in 1848. The British send Meagher to the Australian penal colony where he eventually escapes to America.
      Although the book is a novel, Richard Wheeler did extensive research to ensure his historical facts are correct. The only fiction in this book are the thoughts of the characters and the possible end of Meagher's life.
      Richard Wheeler takes us from the shores of Australia to the sights and sounds of old New York. He relates what it must have been like for early immigrants who just reached this country and their trials and pitfalls in trying to make it here. Richard probes the loves of Meagher's life whether it is his love of Ireland or that of his first and second wives. We follow Tom Meagher as he develops a love for America and his complicated reasons for wanting to form the Irish Brigade during the Civil War. We follow Meagher into war and the intense fights at Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.
      Tom Meagher heads west to Montana Territory as acting Governor and is instrumental in establishing a territorial government for the people and by the people. Richard Wheeler brings us to Meagher's death and the strange circumstances and mystery surrounding his end.
      Richard Wheeler tells Meagher's story in the first person and does a convincing job giving us Meagher's viewpoint, right or wrong, on the circumstances and ideas that helped form this country. I highly recommend this entertaining and enlightening book. As you read the story imagine yourself sitting at a table in a saloon with a pint of ale before you, a fiddle plays an Irish tune as Tom Meagher lights his pipe and begins to tell you his life story. This is what it is like to read The Exile.
      Brigadier-General Thomas Francis Meagher, his political and military career: With selections from his speeches and writings
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Brigadier-General Thomas Francis Meagher, his political and military career: With selections from his speeches and writings
        W. F Lyons
        Manufacturer: Archer Editions Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Unknown Binding

        GeneralGeneral | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: 089097005X
        Handbook on College Teaching
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Handbook on College Teaching
          Linda D. Meagher , and Thomas G. Devine
          Manufacturer: Hollowbrook Pub
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

          GeneralGeneral | College & University | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          ASIN: 0893416371
          The Irish brigade
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            The Irish brigade
            Paul John Jones
            Manufacturer: R. B. Luce
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Unknown Binding

            GeneralGeneral | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: B0006CU2BY

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