Shortest History of Ireland by James Hawes

The captivating chronicle of a small island’s vast history – its struggle, spirit and survival

In The Shortest History of Ireland, James Hawes presents Irish history as a whole new story that is as captivating as a novel- galloping from the Ice Age to the present, this book will completely change the way people see the Irish past – and future.

For the first time, Hawes charts the absolute centrality of Ireland’s links to its real Mainland – Europe – and to its exiled children in America. For centuries Europe provided hope in the face of near-genocidal colonisation – and then Greater Ireland (as it was sometimes called) across the Atlantic took over- the Fenian rebels had a grand HQ on Union Square, and the orders for the 1916 Easter Rising were wired from New York. The modern revelation of Ireland since JFK’s iconic 1963 visit as a land naturally peaceful and prosperous has been enabled by America and the EEC/EU, often in the teeth of Westminster. Today, Ireland just has to sidestep – with their help – the last, toxic wreckage of the British Empire, and that fascinating past will flow into a bright future.

This is popular history at its thrilling best.

About the Author: James Hawes published six novels with Jonathan Cape before turning his storytelling gifts to non-fiction. His two shortest histories, The Shortest History of Germany and The Shortest History of England, have sold over 400,000 copies around the world.

28 Apr 2026
 

The Shortest History of Ireland by James Hawes ISBN 9781760646271