T.K. Whitaker by Anne Chambers

T.K. Whitaker by Anne Chambers

In 2002, an eighty-five-year-old former civil servant was voted 'Irishman of the Century'. Widely regarded as "the architect of modern Ireland", T.K. Whitaker's life spans the history of the Irish state in whose economic, social and cultural evolution he played an integral and influential role. Born in Rostrevor, County Down, reared in Drogheda, County Louth, from modest beginnings, T.K. Whitaker's meteoric rise through the ranks of the civil service saw him at 39 years become the youngest Secretary of the Department of Finance. His was the quiet presence, the rational and informed voice behind many of the most momentous events in recent Irish history. His inspirational paper Programme for Economic Development became the blueprint for Ireland's regeneration in the 1960s. As Governor in the 1970s his vision and purpose transformed the Central Bank into a dynamic institution. And, as advisor to Taoiseach Jack Lynch and other political leaders, he played a crucial role behind the scenes in the movement towards peace in Northern Ireland. Drawn from in-depth interviews conducted with Dr Whitaker and his family, as well as exclusive access to his personal papers and correspondence, in Portrait of a Patriot author Anne Chambers reveals the quite extraordinary extent and diversity of T.K. Whitaker's work on behalf of the Irish State; his relationship with Irish and international political figures such as De Valera, Lemass, MacBride, Costello, Sweetman, Lynch, Haughey, FitzGerald, O'Neill, and Whitelaw; his policy struggles with governments and individual ministers. This personal and intimate biography also introduces Ken Whitaker the family man, his motivation, humour and compassion; the personal losses endured and the many highlights enjoyed. T.K. Whitaker's life story is a model of excellence, integrity and public duty, and as such is all the more relevant today when such practical patriotism seems largely absent in twenty-first-century Ireland.

"Chambers' book is packed with fascinating detail.. absorbing ... The sections on Northern Ireland in the book are among the most fascinating... A book worth reading." -- Sean Farrell Irish Independent "A valuable and often absorbing book... a testament to the importance of the real meaning of republicanism and "the common good"." -- Diarmaid Ferriter The Irish Times "Well written and well researched ... crammed with insights into the worlds within worlds where Whitaker attempted - and so often succeeded - in effecting genuine change." -- Dermot Bolger Sunday Business Post

Anne Chambers is the acclaimed author of the bestselling Granuaile: Grace O'Malley - Ireland's Pirate Queen, as well as biographies of Eleanor Countess of Desmond, Margaret Burke Sheridan, Lord Mayo and Prince Ranjitsinhji. From an earlier career in the Central Bank, Anne has enjoyed a close friendship with T.K. Whitaker and was given unrestricted access to his papers in her research for this biography.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781781620120
ISBN 10	1781620121
Title	T.K. Whitaker
Author	Anne Chambers
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Transworld Publishers Ireland Ltd
Year published	2014-09-25
Number of pages	464
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable