Afbeelding auteur
1 werk(en) 3 Leden 2 Besprekingen

Werken van SM Sigerson

Tagged

Algemene kennis

Er zijn nog geen Algemene Kennis-gegevens over deze auteur. Je kunt helpen.

Leden

Besprekingen

While a lover of history, anthropology, and criminalistics, the story of Michael Collins was one I was only vaguely acquainted with before reading Sigerson's The Assassination of Michael Collins. The book's description is what first caught my attention, and I decided to give it a read. I found the cover a bit chaotic though. T'were I considering a paperback version, that may have been a deterrent to even looking at the description on the back. I read the blurb and was interested before seeing the cover. That's a subjective point on my part, willingly admitted.

I greatly enjoyed reading the book. I would offer a word of warning- this book follows a scholar's bent, and the language reflects that. If you are looking for something written more 'mainstream', this is probably not the book for you. However, if you enjoy the scholarly books, this is a great read on a fascinating story.

As I mentioned before, the story of Michael Collins was one mostly unfamiliar to me. Sigerson provides insights and information on the times, and the setting, of the events in question, giving a reader new to the story a proper context and from of reference. I really liked the fact that the Kindle version I read had easy access to reference materials used by the author. I ended up adding a few more books to my 'to be read' pile.

Criminal cases fascinate me. Sigerson lays out evidence, in context, to help try and make sense of this great mystery. He provides witness statements as well, but rather than forcing his own conclusion upon the events in questions, Sigerson instead follows the evidence. This is still a case unsolved, but the work Sigerson has put into it helps make things a bit clearer.

The Assassination of Michael Collins is definitely a must read if you have interest into this period of Irish history, or any interest in Collin's himself. As mentioned before, this was all new to me, and Sigerson's work engaged my interest in this fascinating man and his life. I have definite plans to pursue the books recommended by Sigerson, and ones used as resource materials.
… (meer)
 
Gemarkeerd
PardaMustang | 1 andere bespreking | Sep 12, 2015 |
Deze bespreking is geschreven door de auteur.
This book offers a startling new perspective on one of history's most famous unsolved mysteries: the fatal shooting in August 1922 of Michael Collins, Commander-in-Chief of newly-independent Ireland. This is the first book to do so since the publication of John Feehan's landmark 1981 study.

In the three decades which have passed since Feehan's important treatment, the centenary of Collins' birth (1990) has spawned a tsunami of new interest, books and films. Yet many questions remain unanswered regarding his suspicious demise.

While of vivid interest for the many Michael Collins fans and experts all over the world, the book is written to also be accessible for those who are hearing of him for the first time.

The need for this new study, and the reasons why it is important to understand Collins' end, are explained in the Introduction; which also discusses the challenges of this subject, which have frustrated past attempts by other writers.

Part One is entitled "What Do We Really Know?" This section is devoted to an in-depth review and critique of the known evidence to date. It begins with a brief bio of Michael Collins' life and times: including the War of Independence, the notorious Treaty controversy, which led directly to his death, and his final journey, from which he never returned (of which it describes only those bare facts which are undisputed.)

Then follows a penetrating critique of the witnesses' testimony. "What does the eye-witness testimony tell us?" poses many important questions, and offers some shocking answers. The original witness statements available are provided ver batim in an appendix; followed by an exhaustive inventory, which carefully catalogues and compares each account with that of every other witness.

Part Two constitutes this author's New analysis. This includes considerable exploration of that background of political turmoil which led up to Collins' death. In this, the author manages to cast a different light and offer a fresh perspective; while demonstrating firm support for this assessment, in the most important previous chroniclers.

Part Two culminates with a new reconstruction of What happened at Béal na mBláth: an educated estimation as to what all of the foregoing adds up to. This surmise is sure to startle readers; while it yet demonstrably fits the known facts and eyewitness accounts.

Part Three discusses Aftermath, legacies and ramifications. It explores how Collins was treated in death by his former colleagues and opponents; the meaning of his death, and of the reactions thereto. This includes an exploration of Collins' tragedy in a wider sense: as an occupational hazard of popular movements for self-determination everywhere, and their leaders.

Appendices provide documents from the Civil War, including peace negotiations in which Collins was concerned at the time of his death. Another is devoted to "Debunking the myths": due to its unresolved nature, discussion of Collins' fate has often more resembled folklore than history. It has been plagued by myth-making. Therefore, eleven of the most prevalent and misleading myths are listed, analyzed and dismantled.

"Crime of the century" is an expression which has been too often exploited by sensationalist commentators. Yet Collins' martyrdom was indeed one of history's defining moments, at the dawn of the turbulent 20th century. It was a particular type of political tragedy: one which the following decades would see replayed over and over again, throughout the world. It bore many factors in common with the fate of other great leaders. It could be called one of the opening salvos, in the sort of national and international conflicts which would define the era. In this sense, it may also be seen as a kind of skeleton key: a deeper understanding of which may unlock riddles in other cases like his.
… (meer)
This review has been flagged by multiple users as abuse of the terms of service and is no longer displayed (show).
 
Gemarkeerd
SM_Sigerson | 1 andere bespreking | Nov 19, 2013 |

Statistieken

Werken
1
Leden
3
Populariteit
#1,791,150
Waardering
½ 4.5
Besprekingen
2
ISBNs
1