This is a landmark book, full of insight and intelligent judgement and sheer diligent research, which deals with the complexity of the Irish revolution and its aftermath. Ferriter is at ease in the world of high politics and policy-making, but it is his work on economic, social, cultural and gender issues, which makes his account of Ireland during this period itself a transformation in historical methodology
Colm Tobin
Ferriter deserves great credit for taking a more holistic approach to the narrative of 20th-century Ireland.
Paul Bew
Sunday Times
The country enters the twenty-first century on a wave of prosperity and apparent self-confidence. The achievement of Diarmaid Ferriter's massive new history is to show just how hard-won this success has been ... This will be an influential book, and is a remarkable achievement.
Roy Foster
The Guardian
There are no easy answers in this book to definitively explain the transformation of Ireland, but the journey is fascinating and well worth the effort.
Public Servant
Deeply honest ... This huge book is a rich study of Ireland in the twentieth century. It is a veritable mine of information.
Tom Devine
Glasgow Herald
A timely and masterful new survey of twentieth-century Ireland. This is Ireland laid bare.
Marianne Elliott, Professor of Modern History
Liverpool University
This is one of the most important books to be published this year
John Bruton
Irish Independent
The most vivid and stimulating history of 20th century Ireland currently available.
Fintan O’Toole