Boni Thompson, PhD.
“a great story of hidden Irish history”
“a remarkable piece of historical research”
“captures the chaos and terror of this time in the history of Cork”
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Pictures are a window through time. They are by definition reflections of the past, and as such they can be revelatory far beyond the subject’s awareness.
The Easter Rising of 1916 was one of the major events of the twentieth century that changed the map of Europe. Following a week of violence centered in Dublin, the men who led the fight were arrested and shot at Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin. The British hoped this was the end of the rebellion; it was just the beginning.
What follows concludes the story of James, and his life following his departure from Ireland in 1923.
Reviews
WHILE DRAGGING OUR HEARTS BEHIND US is a great story of hidden Irish history, just crying out to be told. Or, rather, a host of stories, some wildly incredible, some harrowing, some darkly funny - and all (mostly) true. There are at least three great historical thrillers that might be drawn from Boni Thompson's reconstruction of mysterious exploits, treasonous events, and the creation of an Irish state. There is a dash of fiction, a dash of myth-making, and a solid, satisfying deal of good old Irish story-telling. A remarkable piece of historical research and recreation, it is the book that Cork and environs deserves in recognition of that area's role in the struggle for independence. How the past becomes personal, and one man's history and stories can become emblematic of the creation of the new nation. A hugely satisfying, informative, and gripping read."
John McRae
For anyone with an interest in this period of Irish history this book is a must read. In the tradition of the great Irish histroy storytellers such as Walter Macken and Leon Uris, Dragging Our Hearts Behind Us stands alonside their great works with its historical accurancy and exciting and relatable storytelling. Boni captures the chaos and terror of this time in Cork history for a young boy who find himself in the maelstrom of political and cultural events beyond his control. Enjoy, you wont be able to put this down until the last page.
John McGivern
This is a great read for anyone interested in Irish history and Ireland's fight for independence, but it's so much more! Boni Thompson's stories about her grandfather don't just cover his time as an IRA soldier, they include everything before, after, and in between. She follows James from his happy-go-lucky teenage years to his close calls with death in battle, to his efforts to reconnect with his family after the war. Even though the book is over 600 pages, it never lulls--every reminiscence is worthy of its inclusion. It really is a wonderful read for anyone, but it will be especially moving if you have a connection to Ireland.
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Although born a proud Canadian and living in the rolling hills of Mono, Ontario, Thompson is apparently composed exclusively of 100% Irish DNA. That probably explains her interest in wild Irish stories. The road to completing her own wild Irish story began as a teenager when she inadvertently sunk her finger in an old bullet wound behind her grandfather’s ear, a wound few people knew existed, and learned that he had once been a bona fide Irish rebel through and through.
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