The New York authors, each a descendant of a pardoned Fenian prisoner, have recounted the adventure by valuably editing a series of original records including Devoys diary, the ship's logbooks, and reports from Devoy's men. . . . The use of Devoy's journal, written eighteen years after the event, passionately captured the balancing act required to juggle doggedly-held differing attitudes, internal feuds, empty gestures and frustrating politics.
Australian Journal of Politics and History
Its a story of rescue from the high seas as Pawling residents Philip Fennell and Marie King take readers to 1876 and the voyage of the Catalpa. John Devoy and his crew had a daring mission in mind: rescue six Irish political prisoners from the Australian coast and, in one bold move, inspire millions of Irishmen and Irish Americans. The story is gathered from the personal diaries, letters and reports from those involved in the maritime adventure.
Poughkeepsie Journal
For the Irish and the Americans, for the historian and for the political analysts among us, [John Devoys Catalpa Expedition] is a work brimming with relevance and meaning. Few will want to miss an opportunity to have it on their shelves
The West Australian Newspaper