Each chapter is not only an insightful discussion of a particular theme or period, but also a brief digest of important scholarly work, with particular attention for lacunae in the scholarship ... the Handbook is both an excellent introduction to Irish history and an important reference work * Christopher Cusack, The Times Literary Supplement *
this substantial (786 pages) collection of essays manifests all that is admirable and valuable [in the Handbook series] ... the volume is fundamentally exciting and stimulating ... [Jackson's introduction] is invaluable ... the volume provides a much-needed, substantial, conscious attempt to provide a timetable and destination guide to a new emergent Irish history ... [and] intelligent and thought-provoking guidance for understanding new themes and research ... this work will be extraordinarily useful for students and scholars of Irish studies everywhere * Paul Townend, Irish Literary Supplement *
what Alvin Jackson has done with this overview is to provide one of the most extensive overviews of Irish history, calling on 36 leading scholars from a wide range of disciplines ... as such this is very much a handbook which should be in the possession of anyone studying and researching Irish history -- not only does it offer a useful introduction to Irish history and historiography, it is also a crucial reference work * English Historical Review *
it is likely to become an essential first port of call for anyone with a serious interest in Irish history for years to come * Irish Catholic Books of the Year *
truly a blockbuster ... 36 chapters from leading scholars on a comprehensive range of topics, from thematic studies to more chronological accounts of Irish history since the late 16th century, cumulatively amounting to a panoramic prospectus of the current state of Irish historiography * History Ireland *
the work is an excellent contribution to the field ... [and] an excellent teaching tool * Irish Studies Review *
fully up to the standard of the celebrated Oxford Handbook series ... Jackson's fine opening essay draws on his widely admired archival research on the avatars of professionalism in the Irish historical scene -- Robin Dudley Edwards, TW Moody and JC Beckett * Paul Bew, Irish Times *
The OUP Handbook of Modern Irish History, ranging over the last five centuries, imaginatively and expertly edited by Alvin Jackson, offers a rich cornucopia of perspectives from the 36 contributors, skilfully blending the chronological with the thematic in summarising the most recent understanding of topics and periods, while frequently and fruitfully meditating on possible future directions of enquiry. It is essential reading for understanding both how Ireland has got here, and for pondering possible further approaches to the historiography of the past five centuries * J.J. Lee, New York University *
