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R. F. Foster

Vivid Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland, 1890-1923 Hardcover – January 26, 2015

by R. F. Foster (Author)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Brilliantly and vigorously reveals the personal histories that shaped the Irish revolutionary moment of the early 20th century.”
- Hermione Lee, Wall Street Journal

“[Foster] is well equipped to investigate the cultural context of the revolution. Drawing on a marvelous range of sources, he has succeeded in delineating this generation in half a dozen elegant thematic chapters.”
- Keith Jeffery, Wall Street Journal

“A deep, intricate portrait of the generation leading up to the Easter Uprising… fascinating.”
- Publishers Weekly

“[An] incisive history.”
- The New Yorker

“A fascinating, moving, but often sad account… Foster views [the nationalists] with sympathy, affection, but also with a critical eye… an outstanding tableau.”
- Jay Freeman, Booklist

“Telling details repeatedly inform Foster's Vivid Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland, 1890-1923, giving texture and depth to the many people filling his large canvas―while scraping away the layers of post-revolution varnish that still makes it so hard to separate mythology from history whenever discussing Ireland.”
- Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Vivid Faces is an ingenious and original account of the generation of men and women who created the conditions for revolution in Ireland in the early years of the twentieth century. By looking at social and sexual life, at private diaries, at marriages and friendships, by examining literary as well as military activity, using his brilliant historian’s intelligence, Foster has reinterpreted the 1916 Rebellion in Dublin. The result is the study of a generation who sought not only political but personal freedom, and in doing so, set about reimagining an entire nation.”
- Colm Toíbín, author of The Testament of Mary

“There will be many more books to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising, but none, I suspect, more stimulating and important than this one.”
- Ben Macintyre, Times

About the Author

Born in Waterford, Ireland, R. F. Foster is the Carroll Builders Professor of Irish History at Hertford College, Oxford. He is the author of Modern Ireland, the standard history, and an acclaimed biography of Yeats.

Product details

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1st Edition edition (January 26, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393082792
ISBN-13: 978-0393082791
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.6 x 9.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 45 customer ratings
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #934,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #20246 in European History (Books)
- #37455 in World History (Books)

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Customer reviews

5 star		56%
4 star		19%
3 star		12%
2 star		6%
1 star		6%

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Boche

Not so Vivid

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2015

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I was a bit disappointed. Many too many names in too many contexts. More of an anatomy of the Irish Revolution. It was probably my fault since I was looking for a historical view than an intellectual view.

3 people found this helpful

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maolchoin

Very thorough well written story of the men and women ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2016

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Very thorough well written story of the men and women (especially the women who have not received so much attention in the past) who were the Irish revolutionaries of 1916 and what happened after the uprising. Detail may overwhelm some.

One person found this helpful

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Dilettante

A new view of Irish history – a must read

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2016

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As an Irishman I was amazed at this view of Irish history prior to the "revolution". Amazingly well written and researched

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Peggo

Just started reading. Well written. A bit heavy ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2015

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Just started reading. Well written. A bit heavy for summer. Have set aside to be a Fall read. Rating based on a skim.

One person found this helpful

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R. Cusack

The Smart Side of the Rebellion

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2015

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A bit laborious, but an excellent presentation of the intellectual side of the Rebels in an amazing period of Irish history.

One person found this helpful

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Barry P. Simmons, MD

The text was overwhelmed w names and events that were ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2016

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The text was overwhelmed w names and events that were confusing. It was hard to keep track of all the players.

One person found this helpful

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Janette Hamill

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2016

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Excellent read

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Niall Macdonagh

To be honest this is based on reading an extract - but it contains serious errors

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020

In the extract he refers to "the four Gifford sister". As it happens one, Muriel, was my grandmother and of course the other FIVE (total of six) were my grandaunts. One of those he omitted was Ada who emigrated to the US and was seldom heard from thereafter. The other sister that he did not mention was Kate Gifford Wilson who, when I was a child regaled me with the story of how, when imprisoned in Kilmainham Gaol, she asked for a bible which was provided and which she then put in the jamb of her cell door and pulled it off her hinges. He also says that Helen (better known as Nell) never married. She did marry and her married name was Donnelly and she had a daughter Maeve. All of these errors were in a couple of paragraphs. Now the Gifford sisters were not obscure and there are a couple of books about them so it is not as though he did not have sources that he could have consulted.

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markb

Essential reading.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2016

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In this extremely informative work Foster describes the culture and attitudes of the "revolutionary generation" in Edwardian Ireland. This group included socialists, feminists, Ulster protestants, Irish language campaigners and more conservative nationalists. Many came from comfortable privileged backgrounds allowing them the money and leisure to campaign; perhaps by producing uplifting plays intended to inspire the public with their message. What they had in common was hostility to British rule and also often to the British as individuals. They rejected political routes to Irish independence in favour of violent physical force nationalism. Some, like Pearse, also believed in the redeeming power of self-sacrifice.

Foster describes how the momentum developed leading to the Easter Rising, or revolution, of 1916, and then to the subsequent rebellion and civil war. British failure to challenge the arming of Unionist paramilitaries in Ulster in 1912 legitimised the armed Volunteer movement in the nationalist south. When the rebels took their chance at Easter 1916 their pro-German rhetoric inevitably meant they would face retribution as traitors from the British state, whilst nationalists would see them as martyrs for their cause. By the time World War 1 ended, the door had been closed on a peaceful solution to Irish independence. However when the British eventually withdrew from the south bitter civil war followed. The nationalistic introverted Irish state that came into being was not what had been dreamt of by many of the revolutionary generation.

Foster's account is informed by the views his subjects expressed at the time. He draws on a wide range of contemporary sources to tell his story allowing him to reach well-informed conclusions. He gives a balanced careful analysis of the life and times of his revolutionaries showing both their strengths and their contradictions.

In the centenary year of the Easter Rising this lucid well written book should be essential reading for anyone interested in the roots of modern Ireland.

12 people found this helpful

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M. McClure

Excellent Account of a Revolutionary Generation

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2016

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This is an attempt to recover the reality of the revolutionary Irish generation whose work and dreams helped to bring about the Easter Rising of 1916. As such, it is an excellent work of historical research. The revolutionaries of 1916 were far more radical, socialist, feminist, Protestant, sexually liberated, even vegetarian and lesbian than the smug piety of the subsequent Irish Free State and Republic would allow. True the revolutionaries included a fair number of Catholic mystics, fanatical promoters of Gaelic and Anglophobes but it was a much broader church than subsequent Irish nationalism later permitted. What developed in the mean, narrow, clerical state that most of Ireland later became made reconciliation with the Protestant North impossible, contrary to the aspirations of many of the revolutionaries. This book is an excellent essay in confounding myths and false piety.

4 people found this helpful

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James R. O'Callaghan

A Dark Outcome from Noble Ideas.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 23, 2015

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This is not History with hindsight, where the outcome is preordained and the author explains why it should be so. This is History as it evolves. Using a treasure trove of contempory resources - letters,memoirs, drama, newspapers - the author, in story telling prose, organises this hotch-potch into a packet of influences : generational change, education, drama, journalism. Many possible different revolutionary outcomes were envisaged before 1916. In the five years 1916-21 they coalesced into an historically based nationalistic idea of revolution. The Treaty was poisoned by the Civil War,which gave rise to a nationalistic memory of even lower expection and less idealism.

5 people found this helpful

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Ms R M Beveridge

Excellent, a very enlightening and enriching experience - my ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2015

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Excellent, a very enlightening and enriching experience - my parents were growing up in Dublin during the period covered by the book and all sorts of minor mysteries were illuminated. The material covered is well organised and ordered so as to build up to a fresh and coherent explanation of the run-up to the 1916 Rising. And the choice of the verse from Yeats as the frontispiece couldn't have been more appropriate...Worth every penny,

10 people found this helpful

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Patrick F. O'Connor

Revolutionary Ireland

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2016

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A slow start but a brilliant and unconventional study of the people who made the Irish revolution. A completely new approach to the study of the revolution, including an interesting study of the sexual aspects thereof. The disillusionment following civil war is well analysed as is the 'second thoughts ' of many of the participants in later life.

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Aaron Smith

Excellent, immersive book into the lives, loves and ideals of the most famous Irish generation. Would recommend highly.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2020

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Excellent book, wonderful illustrations of the ideas and passions that moved a nation to revolution. Would recommend heartily to all my Irish brethren

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EoinD

this is acutely observed, poignant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2015

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Excellent book. Very mixed feelings reading this as you realise how the facts get interpreted differently. A true fork in the path of Irish history - well described.

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Outstanding book, a deep and unique insight into this ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2017

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Outstanding book, a deep and unique insight into this period of Irish history. This is not a light read but worth spending the time getting through the heavy content.

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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2019

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Very well written and highly readable.

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Puck in a Truck

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2017

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Interesting and thoughtful book, well worth reading

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Dewi Davies

There are instances where fact and opinion merge to produce ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2015

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There are instances where fact and opinion merge to produce an interpretation which many would challenge but generally it is sound, very sound history indeed.

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Helene

Speedy service. Book description disappointing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2019

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Although the book was delivered quickly its tired appearance didn't match its "excellent" description on website

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Joany

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2016

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This book tells how it really happened - without prejudice. it really opened my eyes to the facts.

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Dan Downing

Enlightening

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2015

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Well written, detailed and enlightening. It opens up new insights into the revolutionary period and interestingly, in the pre revolutionary period

3 people found this helpful

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Nic Dunlop

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2016

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A tragic and moving story as so little was realised by this extraordinary generation.

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R. F. Foster

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Hardcover
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Stephen Regan

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Richard Killeen

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