I must admit this book disappointed me. Elizabeth Shannon interviewed several women in Northern Ireland and the only conclusion she seems to draw from them is that the armed struggle waged by the IRA is ethically wrong and completely useless. The author does not even try to analyze reasons for violence in Northern Ireland, she only stresses again and again that violence is wrong and there must be a peaceful solution to centuries old grievances and hatred. Plus, she seems to accept and reinforce British propaganda about Irish Republicans as thugs, sociopaths and racketeers, who are only in it for power, money and excitement. She thinks that hundreds of young lads, generation after generation, have willingly suffered through life on the run, torture, imprisonment, and ultimately death only to prove their masculinity. Some of her comments are simply ludicrous: introducing an Unionist woman politician (and a former Mayor of Derry, mind you)she underlines that Ireland would be a better place if there were more people like her. In the interview the same enlightened politician advocates the return to hanging to do away with all Republican "terrorists". Yes, Elizabeth, you are right, this is what Ireland really needs, that's the way forward for sure! And by the way, is this kind of violence justified in your peace-loving mind? The interviews are interesting though, biased comments and questions notwithstanding. In the end, I recommend this book only to people who already have some knowledge of Irish history and politics. This is definitely not the book to start with if you want to understand the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Over the past few years, I've been fortunate to learn about "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. One of the first things I learned is that very few sources of information are unbiased. Elizabeth Shannon defies that tenet with "I am of Ireland."

While her husband served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Shannon took the opportunity to explore women's roles, or the lack thereof, in the political spectrum in Northern Ireland. She did this by interviewing women from all walks of life in the North, from paramilitary members to politicians' wives. These interviews culminated in Shannon's superb study.

In "I am of Ireland," Shannon shows the reader there is no cut and dried solution to bring an equitable and just peace to Northern Ireland. She accomplishes this through the interviews. No matter religion, economical stature, or political stance, the women Shannon interviewed all had valid concerns regarding their circumstances.

Through these women's voices, Shannon respectfully reveals the human price all the citizens of Northern Ireland have paid: anguish over lost loved ones, pain from their own injuries, constant terror, apathy to the terror.

This book came highly recommended to me, and I can't recommend it highly enough to others who wish to gain an even insight into the human side of "The Troubles."

I am glad I was reading this book in the mornings because it gave me a lift for the entire day. I was given permission to fall apart and ideas on how to pick myself up again. I loved the chapter about "How to be a Perfect Mother and Other Big Laughs". I just felt like I could get rid of all the Killer To-Do lists, say an occasional NO to the I SHOULDS and make peace with where I've been.

There are many real life, creative suggestions presented in an inspirational context that is just a joy to read. I am so inspired I almost think I could write a book about it!

I feel confident enough to tell my family to give me some space and get out of my face - to make time for me without being last on the list. I came to realize that if I don't devote some time and energy to feeding my soul I am not as much good to those around me that I am trying to take care of daily. I learned how to make my own quiet time and find my own space, even if it is just a big, comfy chair.

This book is a real blessing to me and I really recommend it to other Moms or as a very nice gift for a Mom!

This book is terrific! I found it at a garage sale, of all places, but am so grateful I bought it on impulse. For any Christian woman, or mother, this book resonates like few others. It is sassy, humorous, insightful, and right on target. It has been a book I have routinely reread. I found it especially helpful to get through the early years with my children. Hope she keeps writing!

I read this book in a History class of the Tudor-Stuart period in college. While I found the book interesting, many others did not. The book combines documents by Elizabeth herself, many rare or hard to find and of a personal nature, and secondary source comentaty. The book gives an often unheard naritive of Elizabeth I's childhood, accendancy, and reign.

One problem that many other students found in my class was the constant personal narritives given by the author. While at times they are quite dramatic and through provoking, they are often biased and pure speculation (yet presented as fact). Some issues and events are taken someone out of context or presented in a slanted view.

While I would definatly recomend this book to anyone wanting to know more and about Elizabeth I, I must caution the reader to question some of the evidence and speculation given in the book. The reader must constantly be on the look out for things that may be biased. This book does make an excellent read for the amature historian, but like all historical books, do not base all your knowledge on this one work.

I've never read this book before, But someone that has, Could u tell me why in the world it says The World of a *Prince*? Because shes a princess.

This could be the best first book to read about the court of Queen Elizabeth I of England (reigned 1558-1603), one of the great monarchs in history. Witty, moderate, and strong, she has had few equals. She was not a feminist -- that was centuries ahead; she had to rule men, and by means of men. She drew the best to her, and charmed them which was better than forcing them. The wise understood, the rest grumbled, and England flourished. Neville Williams was a scholar with a knack for easy, popular writing. Here, at his best, with dozens of illustrations, he is colorful, thoughtful, short.

Frye's study of Elizabeth's struggle to control her iconography and representation is very powerful. She discusses three major events in the course of Elizabeth's reign, and how merchants, courtiers and poets represented Elizabeth through them: praising her glory and virtue, yet simultaneously taking the critical liberties of a patriarchal society over a woman.

Frye's third chapter on "Engendered Violence" is especially revealing, whether or not we can fully accept the extremity of such criticism in the character of Britomart in Spenser's Faerie Queene.

This book is wonderful, a necessary read for anyone interested in the force of gender in the Renaissance.

In a sequel to her _Plantagenet Chronicles,_ Hallam follows the same style and layout and indulges in the same lavishness of illustration. In addition to the four generations of monarchs in the title, one finds featured many of the other influential figures of the time, including St. Louis IX, William Wallace, Dante and Chaucer, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, and even Jenghiz Khan. From the birth of the Age of Chivalry to the Black Death that killed almost half of Europe (and precipitated the decline of Norman-Angevin feudalism), these were what the old Chinese curse might regard as "interesting times."

An engaging account of Victorian life and women is presented through the eyes of Frances E. Willard, woman extraordinaire. Willard, widely known in the United States and abroad for her social reform efforts, discovered the bicycle at the age of fifty-three. Although she was not in good health, she was still determined to dare and take chances and, most importantly, urged other women to do so. Willard believed that the experience of mastering a bicycle would give a woman the experience of mastering her own personal destiny. Thus, we are treated to an amusing account of how Willard mastered "Gladys", her bicycle. Some charming pictures of Willard and her bicycle are included.

However, the most interesting and entertaining aspect of the book is found near the end in a section by Lisa Larrabee entitled, "Women and Cycling: The Early Years". Some new and unusual facts accompanied by sketches and pictures make the article not only enchanting but an important contribution to the history of cycling. Did you know that all sorts of maladies were thought to occur if a woman cycled? A woman could develop "bicycle eye" caused by prolonged raising of the eyes while the head was lowered in a riding position. Or even worse, a woman could ruin the "feminine organs of matrimonial necessity"! Also fascinating were some of the many accessories especially for women. One was called "Cherry's Screen". It was a device that blocked the view of a lady's ankles and feet, and also prevented her skirt from blowing about. It rather looked like batwings. Larrabee combines humor and historical fact to allow a glimpse of Victorian life for the female and to explain how the bicycle led to the eventual emancipation of women.

Anyone who enjoys cycling would find this book a great conversation piece and a welcome addition to his or her library.

This book tells of a girl who can get her two goldfish, three kittens, four puppies, five butterflies, six inchworms, seven ants, eight hens, nine crows, and ten rabbits to move, but not her one turtle. How will she get her turtle to move? This book has lively illustrations and repetitive text that is great for young kids (ages 2-5.)

My 6 year old daughter loves the books by Elizabeth Crary. She likes that there are different endings to the story, depending on which outcome she picks. This would be a great series for elementary school teachers to add to their collection. It truly helps children learn how to deal with their emotions.

I loved all the delicous recipes in this book. It had all different types of foods. It had desserts, breskfast foods, sandwiches, and much more. I really do recommend this book even if you aren't an Elvis fan.