We Don’t Know Ourselves is a personal history of modern Ireland by Fintan O’Toole. The book tells the story of how successive Irish governments have dealt with partition, violence, and economic recession. It also provides insights into the role that culture has played in shaping Irish identity.
For who is this book for ?
We Don’t Know Ourselves is a dense, but accessible history of modern Ireland written by Fintan O’Toole. If you are interested in gaining insights into the role that culture has played in shaping Irish identity and want to understand how successive Irish governments have dealt with partition, violence, and economic recession – this book is for you!
Pros :
- Insightful look at modern Irish history
- Well written and engaging prose
- Provides a different perspective on well-known events
Cons :
- O’Toole is critical of all Irish governments, but he provides little concrete evidence to support his arguments.
- The book is at times difficult to follow due to its dense and sprawling narrative.
- O’Toole’s generalizations about Irish culture can be frustratingly simplistic.
Learn more about the author
Fintan O’Toole is a journalist and author who was born in Ireland. He has written extensively about Irish history and culture, including the books “Paddy’s Lament” and “Irish History: A Short Introduction.”.
Reader Reviews
“We Don’t Know Ourselves is an ambitious and beautifully written book that offers a fresh perspective on modern Ireland. Fintan O’Toole provides insightful analysis of the country’s history, politics, and culture. This is an essential read for anyone interested in Irish history.”
“Professor O’Toole has written a strikingly original and provocative account of modern Ireland… This book is crammed with insights on almost every page.”
“Remarkable…O’Toole is a powerful storyteller and astute analyst.”
“O’Toole has written a tour de force on the Irish experience . . .”