The book gives us...a fascinating and wide-ranging insight into the 19th-century world from a man who had known both poverty and comparative wealth. Bookview Ireland April 2000 His life-span alone - from famine to independence - makes this an unusual document. Editor Patrick Maume provides a modest, useful introduction. Books Ireland April 2000 His work is a powerful memoir of 19th century and 20th century life and politics, and reading it one cannot but help but be impressed by the tenacity of the author. Closing the book is a regret, realising that doing so also symbolises the end of James Mullin's life story in a literal sense. Larne Times May 2000 It gives an invaluable description of the poverty and sectarian divisions of post-Famine rural Ulster, and Britain's anti-Irish prejudice during the 1880s, as well as the new opportunities provided by a slowly modernising state, which a lucky and enterprising boy would attain at great emotional cost. A great piece of history, Toiler's Life is finally getting its due. Irish Herald August 2000 There are times when, owing to an accident of fashion or events diverting public attention, a book fails to attract the notice it is due when first published. One such case is James Mullin's autobiography... this is a work that deserves to be better known and Patrick Maume and University College Dublin Press are to be congratulated in reviving it. Books Ireland Sept 2000 Mullin's memoir is not only a valuable source, but an entertaining read and a highly individualistic political reminiscence... A beautifully crafted introduction by Patrick Maume. Saothar 27 2003 University College Dublin Press has now published over thirty 'Classics of Irish History'. These contemporary accounts by well known personalities of historical events and attitudes have an immediacy that conventional histories do not have. Introductions by modern historians provide additional historical background and, with hindsight, objectivity. Books Ireland Nov 2007 Scholars of nineteenth-century Irish and Irish-American politics should reacquaint themselves with these classics, part of a long running and immensely useful series from University College Dublin Press. Patrick Maume has edited and written the introductions for no less than nine of the books in this series, lending them his breadth of knowledge and keen analysis that have made him one of the most learned and intellectually generous young scholars in the field. Irish Literary Supplement Fall 2008