The Great Irish Famine [Paperback]

A concise analysis of one of the great disasters of Irish history.The Irish Famine of 1846-50 was one of the great disasters of the nineteenth century. Despite a devastating food shortage, the huge death toll of one million was hardly inevitable. This book provides an up-to-date introduction to an event of major importance in the history of Ireland and Britain.The Irish Famine of 1846-50 was one of the great disasters of the nineteenth century. Despite a devastating food shortage, the huge death toll of one million was hardly inevitable. This book provides an up-to-date introduction to an event of major importance in the history of Ireland and Britain.The Irish Famine of 1846-50 was one of the great disasters of the nineteenth century. Cormac Ó Gráda's concise survey puts the Famine in the context of the Irish economy, assesses the Famine itself, and discusses its many consequences. Despite a devastating food shortage, the huge death toll of one million was hardly inevitable; a less doctrinaire attitude to famine relief could perhaps have saved many lives. This book provides an up-to-date introduction to an event of major importance in the history of nineteenth-century Ireland and Britain.Preface; Introduction; 1. Population and potatoes: the pre-famine context; 2. The Great Hunger 18451850; 3. Aftermath: Ireland after 1850; Conclusion; Select Bibliography; Bibliographical update and commentary; Glossary; Index.