The controversy caused by this biography led it to be banned by the Irish government for decades. Unique in its contemporary view of this important Irish leader, Frank O'Connor's biography suffers from a rather stilted approach. However, what it lacks in historical accuracy and readability, this account of Collins's life proves an enjoyable read and recounts many enlightening first hand accounts of the man.

This biography was fascinating to me because it was written much closer to the time of the events related than more recent books on Collins, and was written by a man who fought in the Irish Civil War (in which Collins lost his life)and fought on the side opposite Collins. The book is written in a novelistic style that can sometimes be rather offputting, but it is nonetheless an intriguing view of the most charismatic and, probably, most effective Irish leader ever. Certainly it reveals the great regard in which Collins was, and is, held by his countrymen, even those who did not support him after the Treaty which precipitated the civil war(which Ireland seems only now to be putting behind it).Anyone interested in Michael Collins and the tremendous impact he had on his country should read this book.

I remember reading this book in school in Ireland. Collins was a true patriot, but like most of us he had his faults. The book shows the good and bad at a time in Irish history when life was in some cases very cheap. Collins place in the peace treaty can never be discounted and the controvesy relating to the ambush and death will probably never be fully uncovered. I was and still am touched by his own words when he signed the treaty "today I have signed my own death warrant" a true giant the " Big Fellow ".

Better organized than the first Exam Cram book (Tests 1 & 2). Plus there are fewer mistakes/typos.

I didn't feel that the chapters on Backup & Recovery prepared you adequately for the test. However the author does admit that this book is intended as a "pocket guide".

My recommendation is that you combine this book with other study material. The practice questions, sample tests and cram sheet are the best aspects of this publication.

If you read reviews here you can be amazed how different they are. Some people put 5 stars and other just 1. Wonder why?

I used this book as the only tutorial for both exams and I passed them with a good score. The book really helps you to prepare. It's pretty slim but it contains all required information. Test examples are very good and very similar to real ones.

But there are some bad things. In a few places it has mistakes and some of them maybe confusing. It's not very important for exams preparation but probably it's annoying enough for some people to put 1 star. Another reason is a book structure. It's not supposed to be a general Oracle tutorial. It's just the exam cram. You can easily pass exam using this book but it's also true that you won't have complete Oracle vision in your head. I guess, some people don't like it too. But according to me it's a plus, not minus.

And don't forget that these exams will be retired at August, 2000!

The book is well organized and the practice tests and detailed answers are very helpful. As a result of the valuable study guide, I passed the two covered OCP exams with an average of over 100 points to spare.

If you are just looking for the exam answers, you will not find it here. If you are looking for an excellent study guide to help you prepare for the two exams covered by this book, buy this book. Like all OCP type books, it neither takes the place of "hands on" experience nor studying the Oracle concepts and reference manuals; however, it provides an excellent template on what to study for and also how to tackle tricky exam questions. In my humble opinion, the best OCP study book on the market!

The banality of this book is beyond description. I would say that it has all the depth and subtlety of High School creative writing, but that would be an insult to High School students. Collins here is sort of an Irish James Bond -- women can't resist him, men are in awe of him. He's always three steps ahead of the Bad Guy. There's not one moment of suspense or doubt in the outcome. The basic racial formula is: Irish = good, virile, caring, righteous; English = evil, sadistic, gay, cowardly. I'm Irish and proud of it, but I was thoroughly insulted by this simplistic and ignorant racism, as well as the insult to my intelligence. There was absolutely no attempt at characterization beyond that basic formula. This book is not worth anyone's time. I found myself embarassed to be reading it. McEvoy actually has a character say that Collins looks like Liam Neeson, despite the photo of Collins on the book jacket to disprove it. The jacket says that McEvoy is a publishing lifer, and I imagine that's the only way something this fatuous could get into print.

The archangel Michael sends Michael Collins back to earth to get out of purgatory. A little far fetched, but I gave it a shot. For the average Irish-American who had heard of Michael Collins but really didn't know the particulars of his life, it was a quick history lesson. The writing style was a bit simplistic and at times the characters get confusing. Yet the premise of the book was interesting. I enjoyed the dialogue and his amazement at the the way things had changed since 1922. Having learned about Michael Collins from a young age, I could understand the references to Kevin Barry and Eamon DeVelera, but if you dont already know about them you'd be lost. If you want to read about the real Michael Collins and his amazing life get Tim Pat Coogans book.

This book is more then anything else, entertaining. You will definetely be up all night reading this book. There were a few dates that are a little off it's fiction so I'll let it slide. Overall, this flows with the ingredients of a classis mystery or suspense novel. Flat out entertaining.

An excellent collection of short stories about the Irish people. Although describing the more seedy happenings and hardhsips of Irish life - the imagery is excellent.

This is a fictional whodunnit centering on the years of the Irish War of Independence (1919-1922) and the mystique surrounding Michael Collins' leadership and death. As with most such fictional stories incorporating historical figures, it suffers from a rather forced, unreal feeling. Basically, the launching device is the discovery of journals kept by a young woman (not an historical figure) who served as one of Collins' agents/assassins as well as his lover briefly, and more as well. Sort of an Irish Nikita. The story is interestingly, if melodramatically, written and holds your interest reasonably well if you are familiar with Irish history and the leading figures in the fight for freedom from Britain. Otherwise, I imagine it would be rather heavy going. Generally, I would say it is no worse and certainly no better than the usual historical novel with the added fillip of the speculation (pretty much laid to rest by Collins' best biographers) as to who fired the shot that killed him.

This book, which tells the story of a poor Irishman's descent into madness was very disappointing. While the writing itself was first-rate, the character development left much to be desired. The main character really doesn't change much over the course of the book, and, as such, we don't get to "see" his madness develop. In fact, he appears to be just as mad when the book begins as when it ends. Since The Life and Times of a Teaboy is definitely a character-driven novel, as opposed to a plot-driven one, this makes for a very glaring fault. I felt no emotional connection with the characters; their plight made me feel nothing more than ho-hum.

The story is told in a frame, something many readers may not realize until they reach the end of the book, a major disadvantage in my opinion, since those readers will be waiting for something to happen that simply never comes about.

It is the first-rate prose that really saves this book. Collins' writing is even throughout, smooth as silk and it always rings true. His descriptive powers are also quite excellent and I felt like I was "really there."

Despite the fact that I found this particular book "lukewarm," I want to emphasize that I won't give up reading Michael Collins. He's a very talented writer and his view of Ireland is both unique and fascinating. This simply wasn't my cup of tea.

I am very seriously dissapointed in this book. The author introduces it as 'faction'-a method I understand to imaginatively but credibly furbish up accepted historical facts. It is, however,pure fiction as the reviewer from New Mexico suspects. The author adds nothing that is not already established about Collins and the period other than an exponiential flight of fantasy. Even his most basic facts are wrong eg that there were 3 warships and artillery used by the fenians in the Canada 'assault' and, fatally, that Randolf Churchill became Prime Minister of Britain! With facts like these what can we make of the faction...two children...collaborative British-Irish assasination of the hero...? I'm thoroughly disgusted - probably cause I paid good money for the hardback - should'nt have bought it when in a hurry!

This rather odd combination of fiction and history is fascinating reading but raises questions about its sources and reliability. The allegations concerning Collins' relations with various women and the fallout from them in the Treaty negotiations is one area in which allegations go beyond any I've read elsewhere. Even more important are the allegations that Collins was assassinated as the result of a conspiracy between members of his own government (particularly Kevin O'Higgins, Emmet Dalton and William Cosgrave)and the British and that members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (Collins' main base of power) were involved on all sides. These contentions fly in the face of much that has been written about Collins and are not documented in any of the usual ways, thus raising questions about their reliability in the reader's mind.

I wanna search some good resumes inorder to prepare mine