Jean- Do you know where Hugh Larkin was born in Ireland. My g-granfather came from County Offaly, the home of another Larkin who was one of the Manchester Martyrs. Charlie > > From: "Jean R." <jeanrice@cet.com> > Date: 2004/06/19 Sat PM 01:31:03 EDT > To: IRISH-AMERICAN-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [Irish-American] Irish-Australian/Irish-American Emigration - "The Great Shame," Thos. KENEALLY (LARKIN) > > SNIPPET: In her column, 'Australian Notebook, News about the Irish in Australia' in "Irish Roots" genealogy magazine published in Cork, Jennifer HARRISON of Toowong, BC Queensland, Australia critiqued popular Australian author Thomas KENEALLY's 1998 book, "The Great Shame," published by Random Harvest. > > Per Ms. HARRISON, "This book is a large, long one, touching on several aspects of immigration to Australia and the U. S., their causes and effects. The experiences of convict protester Hugh LARKIN influenced the author because 'Ribbonman' LARKIN was his children's gggrandfather. Recounting this story provided an opening for investigating the political activity which coincided with the great calamity, particularly that centered around other involuntary migrants to Australia and the United States, the 'Young Irelanders'. > > Many consider that the material could have been spread over 2-3 books. KENEALLY himself refers to the self-imposed mammoth undertaking as 'being locked in a closet with a Tyrannosaurus Rex of a project, and knowing that only one of us was getting out alive.' > > Understandably, several Australian readers have admitted being much more interested in the LARKIN story and skipping through the U. S. sections; no doubt some Americans have reversed this procedure ... > > KENEALLY deliberately chose a nonfiction approach but does that mean the only other avenue available is to have it assessed as 'serious' history? He makes no such claims. But he did immerse himself in investigations in several countries, at conferences, in discussions and with researchers. To some of his audience, the product falls short of being a great history. What were their expectations? Few have criticised the historical content of the current film 'Elizabeth,' with its blatant rewriting of the Tudor period but at the very least this intriguing topic has been introduced to milliions and is entertaining them. > > I commend Tom KENEALLY for 'having a go' by producing a significant contribution to an extraordinarily contentious, multi-layered and emotional subject. In the end, the book-buying public will determine its value. For those he inspires to read further on the famine and political agitation, Irish-Australian and Irish-United States history must be the ultimate winners." > > Perhaps you can locate a copy if the subject interests you. One could also read more on the Internet regarding what role the "Young Irelanders" and "Ribbonism" played in Ireland and emigration from Ireland in general. > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.701 / Virus Database: 458 - Release Date: 6/7/2004 > > > ==== IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List ==== > The IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List Website and Lookup Service > http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishAmerican/ > Use this to unsub, change your subscription, links, etc. > >