The Boston Irish A Political History

  the boston irish a political history: The Boston Irish Thomas H. O'Connor, 1995 According to Thomas O'Connor, Irish political dominance in Boston grew out of generations of bitter and unyielding conflict between Yankees and Irish Catholic immigrants. Unlike the Irish in other American cities, the settlers in Boston encountered a homogenous, long-established Anglo-Saxon population openly hostile toward the Irish and all things Roman Catholic. O'Connor charts the course of the Irish's growing political influence in Boston against the background of this clash between two different cultures. He argues that Irish politicians established a distinct philosophy of government that often shifted from traditional Democratic leadership to local neighborhood populism.
  the boston irish a political history: South Boston, My Home Town Thomas H. O'Connor, 1994 An engaging yet objective look at the 350-year old history of Southie, a neighborhood that has survived largely unchanged since the early days of immigrant Irish families and old-time political bosses.
  the boston irish a political history: Rogues and Redeemers Gerard O'Neill, 2012-03-13 From the bestselling coauthor of Black Mass, a behind-the-scenes portrait of the Irish power brokers who forged and fractured twentieth-century Boston. Rogues and Redeemers tells the hidden story of Boston politics--the cold-blooded ward bosses, the smoke-filled rooms, the larger-than-life pols who became national figures: Honey Fitz, the crafty stage Irishman and grandfather to a president; the pugilistic Rascal King, Michael Curley; the hectored Kevin White who tried to hold the city together during the busing crisis; and Ray Flynn, the Southie charmer who was truly the last hurrah for Irish-American politics in the city. For almost a century, the Irish dominated Boston politics with their own unique, clannish brand of coercion and shaped its future for good and ill. Former Boston Globe investigative reporter Gerard O'Neill takes the reader through the entire journey from the famine ships arriving in Massachusetts Bay to the wresting of power away from the Brahmins of Beacon Hill to the Title I wars of attrition over housing to the rending of the city over busing to the Boston of today--which somehow through it all became a modern, revitalized city, albeit with a growing divide between the haves and have-nots. Sweeping in its history and intimate in its details, Rogues and Redeemers echoes all the great themes of The Power Broker and Common Ground and should take its place on that esteemed shelf as a classic, definitive epic of a city.
  the boston irish a political history: The Athens of America Thomas H. O'Connor, 2006 How Bostonians fashioned a shining image of their city in the early nineteenth century Many people are generally familiar with the fact that Boston was once known as the Athens of America. Very few, however, are clear about exactly why, except for their recollections of the famous writers and poets who gave the city a reputation for literature and learning. In this book, historian Thomas H. O'Connor sets the matter straight by showing that Boston's eminence during the first half of the nineteenth century was the result of a much broader community effort. After the nation emerged from its successful struggle for independence, most Bostonians visualized their city not only as the Cradle of Liberty, but also as the new world's Cradle of Civilization. According to O'Connor, a leadership elite, composed of men of prominent family background, Unitarian beliefs, liberal education, and managerial experience in a variety of enterprises, used their personal talents and substantial financial resources to promote the cultural, intellectual, and humanitarian interests of Boston to the point where it would be the envy of the nation. this process, but so did physicians and lawyers, ministers and teachers, merchants and businessmen, mechanics and artisans, all involved in creating a well-ordered city whose citizens would be committed to the ideals of social progress and personal perfectibility. To accomplish their noble vision, leading members of the Boston community joined in programs designed to cleanse the old town of what they felt were generations of accumulated social stains and human failures, and then to create new programs and more efficient institutions that would raise the cultural and intellectual standards of all its citizens. Like ancient Athens, Boston would be a city of great statesmen, wealthy patrons, inspiring artists, and profound thinkers, headed by members of the happy and respectable classes who would assume responsibility for the safety, welfare, and education of the less prosperous portions of the community. America is an interpretive synthesis that explores the numerous secondary sources that have concentrated on individual subjects and personalities, and draws their various conclusions into a single comprehensive narrative.
  the boston irish a political history: The Irish Americans Jay P. Dolan, 2010-02-15 Follows the Irish from their first arrival in the American colonies through the bleak days of the potato famine, the decades of ethnic prejudice and nativist discrimination, the rise of Irish political power, and on to the historic moment when John F. Kennedy was elected to the highest office in the land.
  the boston irish a political history: See You at the Hall Susan Gedutis, Susan Gedutis Lindsay, 2005-07 An engaging look at Boston's golden era of Irish traditional music
  the boston irish a political history: Boston Catholics Thomas H. O'Connor, 1998 In this engaging work, now available in paperback, Thomas H. O'Connor chronicles the activities, achievements, and failures of the Church's leaders and parishioners over the course of two centuries.
  the boston irish a political history: The Boston Irish Thomas H. O'Connor, 2007-12 Examines the colorful & rich history of Boston Irish politics from colonial days to the present. Puritan Boston shaped a distinctive ethnic community that in turn influenced the traditions & institutions of the city. Irish political dominance in Boston grew out of generations of bitter conflict between Irish Catholic immigrants & Yankees, a homogeneous, long-estab. Anglo-Saxon population hostile toward the Irish & all things Roman Catholic. Charts the course of the Irish¿s growing political influence in Boston against the background of this clash between different cultures. Offers insights into the unique experience of the Boston Irish community & provides a lively portrait of the men & women who made their way through the long & tortuous maze of Boston politics. Illus.
  the boston irish a political history: The Hub Thomas H. O'Connor, 2001 In The Hub, [O'Connor] synthesizes standard references on the city's development, from its 1630 founding through the 1960s desegregation battles and today's redevelopment. Publishers Weekly
  the boston irish a political history: That Neutral Island Clair Wills, 2007 Where previous histories of Ireland in the war years have focused on high politics, That Neutral Island mines deeper layers of experience. Stories, letters, and diaries illuminate this small country as it suffered rationing, censorship, the threat of invasion, and a strange detachment from the war.
  the boston irish a political history: Hidden History of the Boston Irish Peter F. Stevens, 2008-03-28 Peter F. Stevens offers an entertaining and compelling portrait of the Irish immigrant saga and pays homage to the overlooked episodes of the Boston Irish experience. When it comes to Irish America, certain names spring to mind - Kennedy, O'Neill, and Curley testify to the proverbial footsteps of the Gael in Boston. However, few people know of Sister Mary Anthony O'Connell, whose medical prowess carried her from the convent to the Civil War battlefields, earning her the nickname the Boston Irish Florence Nightingale, or of Barney McGinniskin, Boston's first Irish cop, who proudly roared at every roll call, McGinniskin from the bogs of Ireland - present! Along with acclaim or notoriety, many forgotten Irish Americans garnered numerous historical firsts.
  the boston irish a political history: Everything Irish Lelia Ruckenstein, James A. O'Malley, 2006 Here, in one complete volume, is the depth and breadth of the great island nation and its people represented in an easily browsed, friendly format. From the Abbey Theatre to the Dublin storyteller Zozimus; from the origin of the Troubles to the origin of the limerick; from the stunning beauty of Connemara to the shattering tragedy of Bloody Sunday; from the greatest writers of the English language to the “confrontational television” of Gay Byrne’sThe Late Late Show–every aspect of Irish culture, geography, and history is collected and annotated in more than 900 entries from A to Z. Readers will encounter heroes and terrorists, poets and politicians, all of Ireland’s counties, ancient myths, and pivotal events–all expertly and succinctly described and explained. With entries written by some of the world’s leading authorities on Ireland,Everything Irishis perfect for everyone, from the inquiring reader to the serious student. You can spend a few minutes learning about the much-maligned Travelers and then move on to the equally contentious (in its time) medieval tithe. Visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher and then delve into an analysis of paramilitary groups like the Irish Republican Army and the Ulster Volunteer Force. Explore the ruins of a Romanesque castle or experience the piercing light of the winter solstice inside prehistoric Newgrange, a passage grave older than the pyramids. Across centuries and across counties, the rich landscape of Irish life and heritage springs to life in these pages. An indispensable source of fascinating information and captivating anecdote, this is one book that will never be far from the hands of those with curious minds or an adventurous spirit.
  the boston irish a political history: The Bostonian Larry Donnelly, 2021-10-15 American Or Irish, Republican or Democrat: many people are one or the other, but Larry Donnelly has been all of them. Born into an Irish-American political dynasty, Larry was destined for a successful career in politics from the start. Having completed law school, he entered the 'family business' and involved himself in political life, experiencing everything from town hall meetings to the highest offices. Years later, his career brought him to Galway, his ancestral home county, and love kept him in Ireland. Now a highly respected commentator, Larry's unique insight into the influence of Ireland on American politics, his reflections on growing up in Boston, his views from both sides of the house, as well as his take on the current state of his homeland, make for a fascinating read. At a time when American politics has never been more divided, Donnelly offers a unique Irish-American perspective in his memoir of a life in a political family.
  the boston irish a political history: The American Irish William Vincent Shannon, 2012-08-01
  the boston irish a political history: Story of Ireland Neil Hegarty, 2012-04-24 The history of Ireland has traditionally focused on the localized struggles of religious conflict, territoriality and the fight for Home Rule. But from the early Catholic missions into Europe to the embrace of the euro, the real story of Ireland has played out on the larger international stage. Story of Ireland presents this new take on Irish history, challenging the narrative that has been told for generations and drawing fresh conclusions about the way the Irish have lived. Revisiting the major turning points in Irish history, Neil Hegarty re-examines the accepted stories, challenging long-held myths and looking not only at the dynamics of what happened in Ireland, but also at the role of events abroad. How did Europe's 16th century religious wars inform the incredible violence inflicted on the Irish by the Elizabethans? What was the impact of the French and American revolutions on the Irish nationalist movement? What were the consequences of Ireland's policy of neutrality during the Second World War? Story of Ireland sets out to answer these questions and more, rejecting the introspection that has often characterized Irish history. Accompanying a landmark series coproduced by the BBC and RTE, and with an introduction by series presenter, Fergal Keane, Story of Ireland is an epic account of Ireland's history for an entire new generation.
  the boston irish a political history: The Rascal King Jack Beatty, 2000 A biography of the twice-jailed champion of the people, shameless grafter, and New Deal pioneer describes how Curley helped transform U.S. governance from a politics of deference to a politics of serving human need. 50,000 first printing. $50,000 ad/promo.
  the boston irish a political history: Gaining Ground Nancy S. Seasholes, 2018-04-20 Why and how Boston was transformed by landmaking. Fully one-sixth of Boston is built on made land. Although other waterfront cities also have substantial areas that are built on fill, Boston probably has more than any city in North America. In Gaining Ground historian Nancy Seasholes has given us the first complete account of when, why, and how this land was created.The story of landmaking in Boston is presented geographically; each chapter traces landmaking in a different part of the city from its first permanent settlement to the present. Seasholes introduces findings from recent archaeological investigations in Boston, and relates landmaking to the major historical developments that shaped it. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, landmaking in Boston was spurred by the rapid growth that resulted from the burgeoning China trade. The influx of Irish immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century prompted several large projects to create residential land—not for the Irish, but to keep the taxpaying Yankees from fleeing to the suburbs. Many landmaking projects were undertaken to cover tidal flats that had been polluted by raw sewage discharged directly onto them, removing the pestilential exhalations thought to cause illness. Land was also added for port developments, public parks, and transportation facilities, including the largest landmaking project of all, the airport. A separate chapter discusses the technology of landmaking in Boston, explaining the basic method used to make land and the changes in its various components over time. The book is copiously illustrated with maps that show the original shoreline in relation to today's streets, details from historical maps that trace the progress of landmaking, and historical drawings and photographs.
  the boston irish a political history: A City So Grand Stephen Puleo, 2010 Between 1850 and 1900, Boston underwent a metamorphosis to become a thriving metropolis, one that achieved prominence in politics, medicine, education, science, and transportation. A City So Grand chronicles this breathtaking period in Boston's history.
  the boston irish a political history: Cities in American Political History Richard Dilworth, 2011-09-13 Profiling the ten most populous cities in the United States during ten critical eras of political development, Cities in American Political History presents a unique singular focus on American cities, their government and politics, industry, commerce, labor, and race and ethnicity. Cities in American Political History analyzes the role that large cities from New York to Chicago to San Jose, have played in U.S. politics and policymaking. Each entry is structured for straightforward comparison across issues and eras. The city profiles include basic data and statistics for the era and are accompanied by maps of each era and the largest cities at that time.
  the boston irish a political history: How The Irish Saved Civilization Thomas Cahill, 2011-09-01 'Shamelessly engaging, effortlessly scholarly, utterly refreshing' Thomas Keneally, author of Schindler's Ark 'A small treasure' New York Times 'This sweepingly confident overview is more entertainingly told than any previous account' Sunday Telegraph Ireland played the central role in maintaining European culture when the dark ages settled on Europe in the fifth century: as Rome was sacked by Visigoths and its empire collapsed, Ireland became 'the isle of saints and scholars' that enabled the classical and religious heritage to be saved. In his compelling and entertaining narrative, Thomas Cahill tells the story of how Irish monks and scrines copied the mauscripts of both pagan and Christian writers, including Homer and Aristotle, while libraries on the continent were lost forever. Bringing the past and its characters to life, Cahill captures the sensibility of the unsung Irish who relaunched civilisation.
  the boston irish a political history: Ireland and Partition N. C. Fleming, James H. Murphy, 2021-09-15 Ireland and Partition: Contexts and Consequences brings together multiple perspectives on this key and timely theme in Irish history, from the international dimension to its impact on social and economic questions, alongside fresh perspectives on the changing political positions adopted by Irish nationalists, Ulster Unionists, and British Conservatives. It examines the gestation of partition through to its implementation in 1921 as well as the many consequences that followed. The chapters, written by experts based in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the United States, include new scholars alongside contributions from authorities in their fields. Together, they consider partition from a variety of often overlooked angles, from its local impact on the ground through to its place in the post-1918 international order and diplomatic relations, its implications for political violence and security policy, and its consequences for sport and economics, through to its capacity to divide both nationalism and unionism from within. This book places the current questions about the future of partition, resulting from ‘Brexit’ and the centenary of partition 2021, in a fuller perspective. It is relevant to those with an interest in Irish History and Irish Studies, as well as British History, European History and Peace Studies.
  the boston irish a political history: The Kennedys Thomas Maier, 2003-10-15 A meticulously researched chronicle of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty explains how their Irish-Catholic roots informed their lives and political beliefs and reveals how the immigrant experience shaped both their remarkable success and many tragedies. 100,000 first printing.
  the boston irish a political history: Turmoil and Transition in Boston Lawrence DiCara, 2013 Turmoil and Transition in Boston tells the personal and political story of Larry DiCara, the youngest person ever elected to the Boston City Council. DiCara s story is intimately woven into the fate of his hometown of Boston. Then a federal court order mandating busing to achieve racial integration in the public schools ripped apart his city. DiCara shows how public policy decisions and economic and demographic changes from that time transformed Boston into one of America s most diverse, affluent, and successful cities in the twenty-first century.
  the boston irish a political history: Unintended Consequences Ray O'Hanlon, 2021-03-15 Unintended Consequences reveals how America’s door closed on legal Irish immigration in the 1960s, and how America’s Irish mounted a counterattack when nation-changing political forces were sweeping the country during the era of civil rights, political assassinations, and the Vietnam War. This book looks at the full historical background to Irish migration across the Atlantic, how it helped shape the young republic, and how the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 brought a near total halt to this westward flow. Nevertheless, the Irish would not be denied and continued to make the journey, no longer into the light of a full and legal American life, but rather into the shadows of an undocumented existence. Successive organisations championed the undocumented Irish, and the fight continues to this day, but this is a new America, where, in recent years, there has been growing hostility to immigrants of every nationality. Ray O’Hanlon has spent over three decades reporting on battles over comprehensive U.S. immigration reform, and Unintended Consequences is the story of the Irish past, its present, and most uncertain future in the ‘land of the free,’ now in the presidency of Joe Biden, a man who fully embraces his Irish immigrant family story. Through Biden, the great Irish of America story continues, and with renewed hope.
  the boston irish a political history: Ireland 1798-1998 Alvin Jackson, 2010-03-16 Receiving widespread critical acclaim when first published,Ireland 1798-1998 has been revised to include coverage ofthe most recent developments. Jackson’s stylish and impartialinterpretation continues to provide the most up-to-date andimportant survey of 200 years of Irish history. A new edition of this highly acclaimed history of Ireland,reflecting both the very latest political developments and growthof scholarship Jackson provides a balanced and authoritative account of thecomplex political history of modern Ireland Draws on original research and extensive reading of the latestsecondary literature Jackson provides an impressive treatment of events coupled withflowing narrative, delivered analytically and elegantly
  the boston irish a political history: The Border Diarmaid Ferriter, 2019-02-07 Shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2019 'Anyone who wishes to understand why Brexit is so intractable should read this book. I can think of several MPs who ought to.' The Times For the past two decades, you could cross the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic half a dozen times without noticing or, indeed, turning off the road you were travelling. It cuts through fields, winds back-and-forth across roads, and wends from Carlingford Lough to Lough Foyle. It is frictionless - a feat sealed by the Good Friday Agreement. Before that, watchtowers loomed over border communities, military checkpoints dotted the roads, and smugglers slipped between jurisdictions. This is a past that most are happy to have left behind but might it also be the future? The border has been a topic of dispute for over a century, first in Dublin, Belfast and Westminster and, post Brexit referendum, in Brussels. Yet, despite the passions of Nationalists and Unionists in the North, neither found deep wells of support in the countries they identified with politically. British political leaders were often ignorant of the conflict's complexities, rarely visited the border, and privately disliked their erstwhile unionist allies. Southern leaders' anti-partition statements masked relative indifference and unofficial cooperation with British security services. From the 1920 Government of Ireland Act that created the border, the Treaty and its aftermath, through the Civil Rights Movement, Thatcher, the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement up to the Brexit negotiations, Ferriter reveals the political, economic, social and cultural consequences of the border in Ireland. With the fate of the border uncertain, The Border is a timely intervention by a renowned historian into one of the most contentious and misunderstood political issues of our time.
  the boston irish a political history: The Atlas of Boston History Nancy S. Seasholes, 2019-10-10 Few American cities possess a history as long, rich, and fascinating as Boston’s. A site of momentous national political events from the Revolutionary War through the civil rights movement, Boston has also been an influential literary and cultural capital. From ancient glaciers to landmaking schemes and modern infrastructure projects, the city’s terrain has been transformed almost constantly over the centuries. The Atlas of Boston History traces the city’s history and geography from the last ice age to the present with beautifully rendered maps. Edited by historian Nancy S. Seasholes, this landmark volume captures all aspects of Boston’s past in a series of fifty-seven stunning full-color spreads. Each section features newly created thematic maps that focus on moments and topics in that history. These maps are accompanied by hundreds of historical and contemporary illustrations and explanatory text from historians and other expert contributors. They illuminate a wide range of topics including Boston’s physical and economic development, changing demography, and social and cultural life. In lavishly produced detail, The Atlas of Boston History offers a vivid, refreshing perspective on the development of this iconic American city. Contributors Robert J. Allison, Robert Charles Anderson, John Avault, Joseph Bagley, Charles Bahne, Laurie Baise, J. L. Bell, Rebekah Bryer, Aubrey Butts, Benjamin L. Carp, Amy D. Finstein, Gerald Gamm, Richard Garver, Katherine Grandjean, Michelle Granshaw, James Green, Dean Grodzins, Karl Haglund, Ruth-Ann M. Harris, Arthur Krim, Stephanie Kruel, Kerima M. Lewis, Noam Maggor, Dane A. Morrison, James C. O’Connell, Mark Peterson, Marshall Pontrelli, Gayle Sawtelle, Nancy S. Seasholes, Reed Ueda, Lawrence J. Vale, Jim Vrabel, Sam Bass Warner, Jay Wickersham, and Susan Wilson
  the boston irish a political history: The Hub Thomas H. O'Connor, 2001 Filled with local events as well as intriguing characters, this engaging account vividly captures the spirit and soul of Boston, both yesterday and today.--BOOK JACKET.
  the boston irish a political history: Map of Ireland Stephanie Grant, 2009-05-05 In 1974, when Ann Ahern begins her junior year of high school, South Boston is in crisis -- Catholic mothers are blockading buses to keep Black children from the public schools, and teenagers are raising havoc in the streets. Ann, an outsider in her own Irish-American community, is infatuated with her beautiful French teacher, Mademoiselle Eugénie, who hails from Paris but is of African descent. Spurred by her adoration for Eugénie, Ann embarks on a journey that leads her beyond South Boston, through the fringes of the Black Power movement, toward love, and ultimately to the truth about herself.In this ambitious and arresting novel, Stephanie Grant's searing prose, powerful storytelling, and richly drawn characters bring tumultuous moment in American history into perfect focus.
  the boston irish a political history: Boston's Histories James O'Toole, David Quigley, 2004-01-08 This collection is both a tribute to the distinguished work of Thomas H. O'Connor, the dean of Boston historians, and a survey of the best and innovative contemporary work on Boston's diverse histories.
  the boston irish a political history: Voyage of Mercy Stephen Puleo, 2020-03-03 “Puleo has found a new way to tell the story with this well-researched and splendidly written chronicle of the Jamestown, its captain, and an Irish priest who ministered to the starving in Cork city...Puleo’s tale, despite the hardship to come, surely is a tribute to the better angels of America’s nature, and in that sense, it couldn’t be more timely.” —The Wall Street Journal The remarkable story of the mission that inspired a nation to donate massive relief to Ireland during the potato famine and began America's tradition of providing humanitarian aid around the world More than 5,000 ships left Ireland during the great potato famine in the late 1840s, transporting the starving and the destitute away from their stricken homeland. The first vessel to sail in the other direction, to help the millions unable to escape, was the USS Jamestown, a converted warship, which left Boston in March 1847 loaded with precious food for Ireland. In an unprecedented move by Congress, the warship had been placed in civilian hands, stripped of its guns, and committed to the peaceful delivery of food, clothing, and supplies in a mission that would launch America’s first full-blown humanitarian relief effort. Captain Robert Bennet Forbes and the crew of the USS Jamestown embarked on a voyage that began a massive eighteen-month demonstration of soaring goodwill against the backdrop of unfathomable despair—one nation’s struggle to survive, and another’s effort to provide a lifeline. The Jamestown mission captured hearts and minds on both sides of the Atlantic, of the wealthy and the hardscrabble poor, of poets and politicians. Forbes’ undertaking inspired a nationwide outpouring of relief that was unprecedented in size and scope, the first instance of an entire nation extending a hand to a foreign neighbor for purely humanitarian reasons. It showed the world that national generosity and brotherhood were not signs of weakness, but displays of quiet strength and moral certitude. In Voyage of Mercy, Stephen Puleo tells the incredible story of the famine, the Jamestown voyage, and the commitment of thousands of ordinary Americans to offer relief to Ireland, a groundswell that provided the collaborative blueprint for future relief efforts, and established the United States as the leader in international aid. The USS Jamestown’s heroic voyage showed how the ramifications of a single decision can be measured not in days, but in decades.
  the boston irish a political history: Reader's Guide to American History Peter J. Parish, 2013-06-17 There are so many books on so many aspects of the history of the United States, offering such a wide variety of interpretations, that students, teachers, scholars, and librarians often need help and advice on how to find what they want. The Reader's Guide to American History is designed to meet that need by adopting a new and constructive approach to the appreciation of this rich historiography. Each of the 600 entries on topics in political, social and economic history describes and evaluates some 6 to 12 books on the topic, providing guidance to the reader on everything from broad surveys and interpretive works to specialized monographs. The entries are devoted to events and individuals, as well as broader themes, and are written by a team of well over 200 contributors, all scholars of American history.
  the boston irish a political history: Brahmin Capitalism Noam Maggor, 2017-02-20 Noam Maggor shows how the moneyed elite in Gilded Age Boston leveraged their wealth to forge transcontinental networks of commodities, labor, and transportation. With the decline of cotton-based textile manufacturing, these gentleman bankers found new business opportunities in the mines, railroads, and industries of the Great West.
  the boston irish a political history: A Short History of Ireland, 1500-2000 John Gibney, 2017-01-01 A brisk, concise, and readable overview of Irish history from the Protestant Reformation to the dawn of the twenty-first century Five centuries of Irish history are explored in this informative and accessible volume. John Gibney proceeds from the beginning of Ireland's modern period and continues through to virtually the present day, offering an integrated overview of the island nation's cultural, political, and socioeconomic history. This succinct, scholarly study covers important historical events, including the Cromwellian conquest and settlement, the Great Famine, and the struggle for Irish independence. Gibney's book explores major themes such as Ireland's often contentious relationship with Britain, its place within the British Empire, the impact of the Protestant Reformation, the ongoing religious tensions it inspired, and the global reach of the Irish diaspora. This unique, wide-ranging work assimilates the most recent scholarship on a wide range of historical controversies, making it an essential addition to the library of any student of Irish studies.
  the boston irish a political history: The Patriarch David Nasaw, 2013-09-24 In this pioneering new work, celebrated historian David Nasaw examines the life of Joseph P. Kennedy, the founder of the twentieth century's most famous political dynasty. Drawing on never-before-published materials from archives on three continents and interviews with Kennedy family members and friends, Nasaw tells the story of a man who participated in the major events of his times: the booms and busts, the Depression and the New Deal, two world wars and the Cold War, and the birth of the New Frontier. In studying Kennedy's life, we relive the history of the American century. Riveting . . . The Patriarch is a book hard to put down . . . As his son indelibly put it some months before his father was struck down: 'Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your county.' One wonders what was going through the mind of the patriarch, sitting a few feet away listening to that soaring sentiment as a fourth-generation Kennedy became president of the United States. After coming to know him over the course of this brilliant, compelling book, the reader might suspect that he was thinking he had done more than enough for his country. But the gods would demand even more. - New York Times Book Review
  the boston irish a political history: Boston Confronts Jim Crow, 1890-1920 Mark Schneider, 1997 Discusses how activists in Boston upheld their anti-slavery tradition and promoted an equal rights agenda during the years between 1890 and 1920, a period in which African-Americans throughout the country were being deprived of civil and political justice.
  the boston irish a political history: The Wearing of the Green Mike Cronin, Daryl Adair, 2004-11-23 The full history of St. Patrick's day is captured here for the first time in The Wearing of the Green. Illustrated with photos, the book spans the medieval origins, steeped in folklore and myth, through its turbulent and troubled times when it acted as fuel for fierce political argument, and tells the fascinating story of how the celebration of 17th March was transformed from a stuffy dinner for Ireland's elite to one of the world's most public festivals. Looking at more general Irish traditions and Irish communities throughout the world, Mike Cronin and Daryl Adair follow the history of this widely celebrated event, examining how the day has been exploited both politically and commercially, and they explore the shared heritage of the Irish through the development of this unique patriotic holiday. Highly informative for students of history, cultural studies and sociology, and an absolute delight for anyone interested in the fascinating and unique culture of Ireland.
  the boston irish a political history: The Kennedy Curse Edward Klein, 2004-04-17 Traces the misfortunes of the Kennedy family from the 1830s to the present to consider the author's theories about the family's biological inclinations toward trouble.
  the boston irish a political history: John William McCormack Garrison Nelson, 2017-03-23 In the first biography of U.S. House Speaker John W. McCormack, author Garrison Nelson uncovers previously forgotten FBI files, birth and death records, and correspondence long thought lost or buried. For such an influential figure, McCormack tried to dismiss the past, almost erasing his legacy from the public's mind. John William McCormack: A Political Biography sheds light on the behind-the-curtain machinations of American politics and the origins of the modern-day Democratic party, facilitated through McCormack's triumphs. McCormack overcame desperate poverty and family tragedy in the Irish ghetto of South Boston to hold the second-most powerful position in the nation. By reinventing his family history to elude Irish Boston's powerful political gatekeepers, McCormack embarked on a 1928 - 1971 House career and from 1939-71, the longest house leadership career. Working with every president from Coolidge to Nixon, McCormack's social welfare agenda, which included Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, immigration reform, and civil rights legislation helped commit the nation to the welfare of its most vulnerable citizens. By helping create the Austin-Boston Connection, McCormack reshaped the Democratic Party from a regional southern white Protestant party to one that embraced urban religiously and racially diverse ethnics. A man free of prejudice, John McCormack was the Boston Brahmin's favorite Irishman, the South's favorite northerner, and known in Boston as Rabbi John, the Jews' favorite Catholic.
  the boston irish a political history: Rose Kennedy: The Life and Times of a Political Matriarch Barbara A. Perry, 2013-07-15 An insightful portrait of this paradoxical woman. —People In this definitive biography—the first to draw on an invaluable cache of newly released diaries and letters—presidential historian Barbara A. Perry unearths the complexities behind the impeccable persona Rose Kennedy showed the world. Rose Kennedy provides unequaled access to the life of a remarkable woman who witnessed a century of history and created the public image of one of America’s preeminent families.
Boston.com: Local breaking news, sports, weather, and things ...
3 days ago · What Boston cares about right now: Get breaking updates on news, sports, and weather. Local alerts, things to do, and more on Boston.com.

Boston - Wikipedia
Boston [a] is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and financial center of New England, a region of …

30 Top-Rated Things to Do in Boston - U.S. News Travel
Jun 6, 2025 · As Massachusetts' capital and the birthplace of the American Revolution, there's no shortage of historical sites for travelers to explore within Boston's city limits (and beyond). …

Visiting Boston | Boston.gov
May 10, 2024 · There are a variety of free walks and trails throughout the City of Boston. The City has a wealth of museums, with everything from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Old State …

Meet Boston | Your Official Guide to Boston
Explore the city for history buffs, sports fanatics, music lovers, foodies, cultural travelers, and, truthfully, anyone. Whether you're visiting by air, by land, or by sea, find everything you need …

Boston | History, Population, Map, Climate, & Facts | Britannica
Jun 10, 2025 · Boston, city, capital of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and seat of Suffolk county, in the northeastern United States. It lies on Massachusetts Bay, an arm of the Atlantic …

Boston Bucket List: 30 Best Things To Do in Boston
Aug 22, 2017 · Here's a list of the best things to do in Boston, including the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, the North End, whale watching, and more.

Boston, Massachusetts - WorldAtlas
Apr 9, 2022 · Boston is a city in the northeastern United States that serves as the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the seat of Suffolk County. It has an area of 46 square …

Boston – Travel guide at Wikivoyage
Boston is a huge city with several district articles that contain information about specific sights, restaurants, and accommodation. A city of history and tradition, Boston offers a proud legacy …

Boston - Explore Culture & Historical Sites in Boston| Visit ...
Discover the Freedom Trail’s landmarks, trendy restaurants and new high-tech campuses of the USA’s most prestigious universities. Check out top things to do in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston.com: Local breaking news, sports, weather, and th…
3 days ago · What Boston cares about right now: Get breaking updates on news, sports, and weather. Local …

Boston - Wikipedia
Boston [a] is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. …

30 Top-Rated Things to Do in Boston - U.S. News Travel
Jun 6, 2025 · As Massachusetts' capital and the birthplace of the American Revolution, there's no shortage of …

Visiting Boston | Boston.gov
May 10, 2024 · There are a variety of free walks and trails throughout the City of Boston. The City has a wealth …

Meet Boston | Your Official Guide to Boston
Explore the city for history buffs, sports fanatics, music lovers, foodies, cultural travelers, and, truthfully, anyone. …