We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958 Paperback – 1 Sept. 2022

One of the best descriptions of Irish (and British) life ever written. I have sent copies to three of my compatriots living in the UK - all loved it. For me it has become a reference book as well as an excellent read. Thank you Mr O’Toole.

As an Irish person this book gives an incredible overview of recent Irish history. Very well written.

O'Toole is worth reading as he has a good turn of phrase. The first half of the book only brings him up to student days. As is general with Irish history, few readers will totally agree with his take on things.

Fintan O'Toole is the most brilliant journalist writing in English today. How he intertwines his personal history - from v modest beginnings in 1958 - with that of his country down to 2018 is masterly. EAch of the 43 min-chapters recounts the detail of some episode which highlights the key trends. This is not a nice story; much of it is 'half-crazy, brutal, barbaric' (his phrase), as the poisonous mixture of Ireland's Catholicism and its nationalism struggle with the politics of modernisatio: how to have all the material benefits while conceding as little as possible to democratisation, education, Europeanisation, women's rights, even peace on its own territory. In the end both CAtholicism and nationalism fail miserably, leaving the country to run on empty, morally, just like so many of the rest of us..

I have been a big fan of Fintan O'Toole and his journalistic work for many years. He forensically examines and cleanly dissects issues of the day with an unerring choice of language and crystal clear communication. He backs everything up with evidence that is clearly the result of painstaking research. This book blows the lid on the politics, religion, and society in Ireland, and by association, much of the effect of hypocrisy and power everywhere. He highlights the particular penchant, of the Ireland of his lifetime, to consciously "not know" the things that are actually "known by everyone" - those unspoken nods and winks of compliance with the machinations of Church and State. He deals with the era of DeValera and Cardinal John Charles McQuaid as they tie up the fledgling Irish state with a mixture of guilt, false nostalgia, and their particular brand of Catholicism. He deals with the influence of Gay Byrne, the ubiquitous broadcaster, and C J Haughy, the Taisoch (prime minister), and their iron grip on the society that I grew up in. Finally, and most importantly, he lifts the corner on the conditions that led to the egregious and widespread child abuse in which Church and State were complicit. He lets us grasp the full scope of the harm done, the influence on generations of Irish children, and the social conditioning it took to allow it to happen. I can't praise this book highly enough, but I am curious as to how non-Irish readers would interpret it and detect the universal truths O'Toole is uncovering.Thank you Fintan O'Toole - you are a credit to the profession of Journalism.

Great read for those born in Ireland in the1940's onwards. I could relate to a lot of what I was reading.

This important book covers the author's lifetime (1958- now) and outlines many of the radical changes thaqt Ireland has undergone, ranging from the sleepy provincialism of De Valera, through EU membership, the Charles Haughey saga, and Ireland's place in the modern world. I recommended this to a friend. When he had read it he said, "I'm glad I emigrated in 1959". The book explains why such a reaction is possible. It pulls no punches: widespread political corruption, priests abusing children, the scandals of the Industrial Schools and the Magdalen Laundries, and much more are all covered. O'Toole writes clearly and intelligently, with a good flair for phrasing. I was surprised, though, that he left out one phrase when discussing the bribery of Charles Haughey by Ben Dunne, the head of the Irish Dunne's Stores chain: "Ben There, Dunne That, Bought the Taoiseach."

Good.

Insightful analysis of who we Irish are, how we view ourselves, how we delude ourselves, betray ourselves, enthral ourselves, critique ourselves, redeem ourselves, as we have struggled, fallen, risen, fallen again and risen again across the period since the author's birth in 1958.O'Toole is incessant in showing us to ourselves in all our vices, virtues and contradictions. His style is compellingly readable, frequently using the lens of iconic incidents or little personal stories through which to view major movements in the story of our little island. He is relentless in highlighting the stultifying forces that sought to mould or exploit our people, to record their dissolution and to illustrate the more constructive and compassionate order which we, the Irish people, have progressively chosen as a means of living together.

O'Toole's writing is always excellent.

Bought it as a gift for my partner, he seems to really enjoy it.

Mr. O'Toole is a very perceptive journalist and essayist who has written on many subjects. His presentation of recent Irish history and the evolution of Irish society and culture is probably the most honest work available on the subject.

A brilliant autobiographical history of Ireland since the 1950s. I grew up in Ireland in the 1960s and remember clearly that nothing of personal importance was ever discussed. Nobody was allowed to talk about things that were going on and if anyone did mention anything the response was "Shut up and go away!" And Absolutely Nothing was ever allowed or mentioned in print.So like hundreds of thousands of others in Ireland over the decades I did go away - emigrated, and made my life in another country.I've now found this book in my sixties and believe that Fintan O'Toole has done us a great service by saying "Yes, all these things were seriously wrong for decades". Church, State and a lot of society ran on violence, abuse, corruption and discrimination. It was exposed bit by bit over the years but Fintan has done a wonderful job of putting it all in one place and vindicating us people who knew that things were badly wrong but were never able to find out the information to back that up.