This very readable book concentrates on the aftermath of the Easter Rising in 1916, as opposed to the fighting itself. The authors set the scene in Dublin well. The individual surrenders, the rounding up of prisoners, the courts martial, the executions, deportations and triumphant return of the prisoners by that Christmas are described in some detail.
However, the book is marred by the failure of the authors to mention the controversies over the accounts of the courts-martial of Constance Markievicz, who, according to William Wylie’s account written years later, pleaded for her life on the basis that she was a woman, and of Michael Mallin, who, according to the trial record, told the court martial that Markievicz was in command of the St Stephen’s Green Garrison. These should have been treated and discussed, if only to be ultimately rejected. The book makes use of the treasure trove of witness statements in the Bureau of Military History which has added so much to the understanding of individual actions and motivations of the men and women involved in the Rising.
