Mysterious World: Ireland
by Ian Middleton, Douglas Elwell
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Book Summary Information
Author: Douglas Elwell, Ian MiddletonIllustrator: Jim Fitzpatrick
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-09-13
ISBN: 097608273X
Number of pages: 776
Publisher: Elwell, Inc
Book Reviews of Mysterious World: Ireland
Book Review: Brings the magic and history of the Emerald Isle to life
Summary: 5 Stars
As a descendant of Donegal emigrants, I've had a lifelong interest in Ireland. Even when in grade school, I wanted to visit Ireland more than places like Hawaii and finally had the chance 20+ years ago. Even though there were some good books available at the time, I sure wish this one had been around because none of the others even come close. "Mysterious World: Ireland" is really THREE books in one: one part mythology, another part history and the final part travelogue. They all work hand-in-hand.
The mythological ("Mystery") portion takes up the first 213 pages and is easily the most impressive work I've ever read on Irish folklore. The text goes into great detail on ancient legends and stories and how they can be seen in the many indicators of the past found throughout the island in the form of dolmens, cairns and rounds. The artwork of Jim Fitzpatrick, a Dubliner whose depictions of early Ireland are unmatched, is sprinkled throughout to give an extra sense of the times. A truly outstanding section.
The second "History" section begins with the advent of Christianity and St. Patrick in the 5th Century and takes the reader through future centuries filled with invasions, battles and turmoil all the way through the Revolution of the 1920's and up past the turn of the 21st Century. While not as comprehensive a section as "Mystery," the 142-page "History" gives a fairly concise look at Ireland over a 1400-year period. You'll have a good idea of what formed modern Ireland.
The final 421-page "Journey" portion is a highly personal trip through as many nooks and crannies as author Ian Middleton could visit over his two-month trip through the country. There are photos and sidebars galore, and he does an effective job of giving the reader an idea of the personality of Ireland. While there are plenty of places for lodging, eating and visiting listed throughout this section, it by no means reads like a typical Frommer's travel guide. I've long held that unless you get to know the PEOPLE of a country, you're just visiting a bunch of snapshot opportunities without really understanding where you are and why things are the way they are. Middleton gets that.
Doug Elwell has done a terrific job editing nearly 800 pages jammed with so much content into a readable form. Of all the books I've read on Ireland over the years, none of them has presented such a synthesis of legend, history, places and people like this one. A bonus is its compact (5"x7")size that makes it easy to stash in a suitcase.
Even if you never visit Ireland yourself, "Mysterious World: Ireland" is worth having on your bookshelf. You truly get a sense of the magic of Eire. You'll never find a better all-round book on the country, and it'll seem like only a page's turn apart from being there.
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