My undergraduate degree is in Celtic Studies, with a focus on Irish Studies. I am, I think, one of the target demographics for this book. That said, I really had a tough time digging into this text, and it took me a while to finish. The research is spot-on, and the historical work is absolutely invaluable. However, easy reading this is not. Even for those who have some understanding of Irish history, (like myself), there is a lot to keep track of. Still, at the end of the day, it is wonderful to see a work that challenges the nationalist narrative.

All in all, this is a great book for history buffs and for Irish studies students. Well done, Ruth Dudley Edwards--this is an exceptional book, even if it may struggle to find the proper audience and acclaim. ( )

"The Seven" was published, appropriately enough, around the time of the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. A century is long enough that we should understand what took place during the conflict, and the people involved, yet that's not always the case. Myth still outweighs facts in many cases. Edward has attempted here to provide short biographies of the seven key individuals - Thomas Clarke, Sean Mac Diarmada, Eamonn Ceannt, Patrick Pearse, Thomas MacDonagh, Joseph Plunkett, and James Connolly - and they role they played in creating the Irish Republic. For those steeped in Irish history, it's a welcomed addition. For those who know the movie "Michael Collins" and little else of the era, it will be a difficult, but helpful, addition to their understanding of the events. ( )

This is one of them books where there are two sides to the fence. If you're Irish and damn proud of it, The Seven who led the Easter Rising in 1916 are heroes. If you're English, then these seven men were traitors.

Now I'm Irish and proud of my heritage; but what disturbs me is that The Seven collaborated with the Germans, and sought Germany's help in their rebellion against England. Since America was fighting against Germany, the patriotic lines become blurred. And I personally can't see The Seven as the patriotic heroes that many Irish men and women regard them to be.

Ruth Dudley Edwards lays it all out matter of factly: the individual backgrounds of The Seven, their parts in the Easter rising and their legacies. An interesting read.

http://www.moibibliomaniac.com/2016/06/the-seven-lives-and-legacies-of.html

I won this book through a free giveaway from Librarything.

This is a placeholder review as I am only about 40% through the book. I love the author's voice and she truly makes the characters come to life. Unfortunately this is basically a biography of seven people and all of the close influences so it is dense. While remodeling my house and taking a class for work it has not been easy to find time to sit and do a deep dive into something so dense, but I will co to he to read in small chunks and finish the novel as I do want to get to the end and see what happens, similar to the feeling I would receive watching a movie!

Update upon completion:

This is a true biography, seeking to explore the entire & complete lives of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. The author details the birth, upbringing, and political philosophy of each member up to and through the uprising, capping the book with an account of the revolution, defeat, and deaths. There doesn't seem to be any stone left unturned and the reader gains information and insight to each actor's religious beliefs, familial obligations, and political history. The author has a tendency to state a fact, then back up years to explain how that fact came into being. The book can get bogged down in detail, but for a historian I would imagine that interesting. Overall I gained new insight and found the writing a good addition to my library. ( )

This was a very detailed account of the seven patriots who were responsible for starting the Easter Rising in Ireland. The author begins with seven chapters of personal history - one for each major player in the book. She then deftly weaves their stories together to culminate in the fateful rebellion of 1916.

I enjoyed this book as I was a novice at Irish history. However the shear weight of the amount of details about people I'd never heard of before was a little daunting. Also, the author threw me at the end. I was thinking this was a pro-Rising, patriotic review of the event. However, at the end, the author quickly flips the argument to assert that the seven had not done something great; rather embarked on a foolhardy and deadly event just for the sake of shedding Irish blood. She goes on to blame all Ireland's bloody history since on the deeds of these seven men. I don't know enough about Irish history to know if her assertions are true, but I was not expecting that turn.

Overall, a good book for the reader looking for a lot of detail about this event. Maybe a little much for the novice. I read this during the time leading up to the 100th anniversary of the Rising. ( )