REVIEWS/BOOKS 2003: Perhaps you can still find copies if the subjects interest you: 1. Donall MacAMHLAIGH, Galwayman and ex-soldier, left Ireland in 1951 for work as a labourer in England. His account of his first six years there was written in Irish and was widely admired. This English translation appeared in 1964 (the work of an Irish diplomat and author, then stationed in Stockholm). A second edition was long overdue. It is a marvelous evocation of a life of hard work for small pay, lonesome partings after longed for trips home, periods of intense isolation and bouts of bitter reflection on the lack of opportunity in mid-20th century Ireland. This was, mercifully, soon to change and Donall MacAMHLAIGH living until 1989, saw that change. But it was too late for him - he had settled down using his pick by day and his pen by night - in Northampton, the English town where he got his "start" as an emigrant from Ireland in the fifties. (The Collins Press) P/b. 2. "A Short History of Orangeism " by Kevin HADDICK-FLYNN (Mercier Press) P/b). Jan Wyck's colorful painting of William III Landing at Torbay decorates the cover of this book. Despite the fact that the organisation which so closely associates itself with King William III was not founded for 105 year after he landed in Ireland to fight and win the battle of the Boyne - no study of the Orange Order would be complete without an account of the politically astute and personally extremely courageous Dutchman who attained a place in Irish history by marrying a Stuart princess and exerting his considerable talents to make her throne secure. Per review, this is a coherent account of an organisation of great importance. In order to maintain continuity certain subjects such as degree structures in the order, banners, wall murals are concisely dealt within boxes in the text. 3. "BELFAST - Irish Historic Towns Atlas No. 12 (Pt. 1, to 1840)" by Raymond GILLESPIE and Stephen A. ROYLE (Royal Irish Academy/Belfast City Council) Very large format. This very important atlas series is part of an European venture inspired by the International Commission for the History of Towns and financed by various member states of the European Union. The 12 Irish towns covered to date include Kildare, Carrickfergus, Bandon, Mullingar, and Dublin. The topographical development of each town is described, followed by tabulated information covering subjects such as transport, health, education, religion, defence, etc. The publication is completed by the inclusion of high quality reproductions of a number of illustrative plates, some in colour. A most striking element in this study of Belfast is the way in which the splendid Linen Hall Library features in so many of the maps and plates. 4. "For The Safety Of All, Images and Inspections of Irish Lighthouses," (National Library of Ireland), P/b. When the Commissioners of Irish Lights, responsible for the chain of lights and navigational buoys, around the coast, engaged the astronomer and mathematician Dr. Robert Stawell BALL as their technical adviser to assist them in development of lighthouse technology in 1883 they also obtained the services of one of the most talented and discerning amateur photographers of the late 19th century. BALL served the Commission until his retirement in his 71st year in 1911. A dozen large albums of his photographs, together with assorted prints, glass negatives and lantern slides have been gathered together, restored and lodged in the National Photographic Archive. Here, we have a widely varied selection, all illustrative of coastal inspections showing life on deck, ashore, the commission personnel and their families - and of course, lighthouses, some - the Fastnet, for example - in the course of construction. Per review -- a remarkable record of a remarkable era, now receding quickly into the past.