Books Book review: Matt Cooper exposes foundations of housing crisisSobering, insightful and comprehensive study of Ireland’s imploding property landscape argues that the solution lies with maverick thinkers, rather than politicians and planners
Books Review: Sharp, insightful but sketchy memoir of the late Marian FinucaneDon’t expect any RTÉ-related gossip or revelations in her widower John Clarke’s vivid, intelligent, unflinching portrait of the maverick broadcaster
Books Book review: Dirty Linen is a harrowing read about the toll of the Troubles on one small townMartin Doyle’s book is mainly a series of anguished conversations with Tullylish residents left to pick up the pieces after their loved ones’ killings
Books Book review: The Kidnapping a vivid account of Don Tidey incident and silence that surrounded itThe authors argue convincingly that the 1983 abduction and rescue, in which two gardaí died, was a defining moment in the Troubles
Books Book review: An Eye on Ireland offers astute snapshots of a chronicle of change in IrelandThis wide-ranging anthology of Justine McCarthy’s journalism is imbued with a deep sense of patriotism and written from a strongly feminist and social perspective
LIFE & ARTS Book review: Terry Prone’s memoir is a smart and honest story of a PR legendCaution To The Wind details her lack of humility from a young age – but political enthusiasts will have to wait for the next book
Books Book review: John Hume biography worthy of its heavyweight subjectThe Nobel laureate has already inspired several books, but this one by a veteran BBC journalist is the most comprehensive
LIFE & ARTS Book review: A Lethal Legacy uses murder as a gateway to historyPodcaster Fin Dwyer uses incidents from a case of cannibalism in 1890s Kilkenny to a priest shooting his sweetheart in Cincinnati to explore faultlines in Irish society
Books Book review: Harrowing account of rape and repeated trauma at the hands of the IRA Cahill’s uncompromising account of her abuse should make any Sinn Féin supporter feel deeply uncomfortable
Books Book review: Why Stakeknife was ‘one of the most callous blackguards ever to pollute Irish history’In his forensically researched and soberly written book, Richard O’Rawe explores the motivations of one of Troubles’ most sinister characters
Books Book review: Tony Holohan memoir holds few revelations and little if any contrition Erstwhile chief medical officer famous for his role during the Covid pandemic has written a worthy and humane book, but certainly not a particularly gripping one
Books Book review: Chronicle of Germany’s post-WWI descent from democracy has a lesson for us allHistorian Frank McDonough’s thorough account of the Weimar period deftly builds a menacing sense of momentum, with Hitler hovering over all
Books Book review: Explosive Sinn Féin exposé pulls several skeletons out of closet In The Long Game, journalist Aoife Moore portrays the party as a secretive, autocratic, almost cult-like organisation
Books Book review: Compelling story of priest who was only sorry his bombs didn’t kill more in TroublesBiography of militant republican Fr Patrick Ryan who decided he wanted ‘to shift the Brits out’ when the North erupted into violence
Books Book review: No-frills garda memoir is not for the squeamish Reading partly as an autobiography, partly as a training manual, this sober and straightforward account will appeal to fans of the true crime genre
Books Book review: ‘Satanic’ jazz, flappers and Dev’s back; a breezy look at an Ireland in 1932A Year of Glory and Gold recounts key events of the year when the country was obsessed with gold, car ownership was rocketing and people were embracing a new type of music called jazz
Books Book review: Perceptive history of soccer scores highly on balance and objectivitySoccer’s role in our collective identity is the focus of James Quinn’s comprehensive reflection on the beautiful game
Books Book review: Sobering reminder of when religious conservatism dominated daily life in IrelandThe Tilson Case recounts the fascinating story of the political, legal and religious controversy that arose when a mixed marriage turned sour in 1950s Ireland
Books Book review: Tory peer Danny Finkelstein on how his family fell foul of both Hitler and StalinIn a powerful and moving memoir, the Tory peer recounts how his parents narrowly escaped death by totalitarians on both the left and right
Books Book review: 15,000 years of Dublin history crammed into an informative 200 pagesTrevor White’s A Little History of Dublin is a series of bite-sized essays about landmark people and events
