Sir, – Diarmaid Ferriter's review of Tim Pat Coogan's new book 1916: The Mornings After – From the Courts Martial to the Tribunals (Weekend Review, November 21st) was harsh.
Most of Coogan’s readers know he is a reporter, not an academic but a grizzled veteran of wars and conflicts from Northern Ireland to Vietnam.
Much of Coogan’s writing is informed by his involvement [reporting on] the theatres of war and the back-bench of newspapers, not from dusty tomes in Dublin’s libraries.
Coogan’s many books are interesting and colourful. He should be forgiven for a few minor mistakes with chronology. One would have thought Prof Ferriter would be able to distinguish between writing a book review and correcting an academic paper.
His review of The Morning After gave the impression that it had been written by an irascible teacher the morning after a student celebration at the end of an exam.
Ferriter wrote that Coogan “is a decent, compassionate man who has made a significant contribution to Irish life”.
Perhaps then Prof Ferriter should have been a little more respectful of a national treasure? – Yours, etc,
LIAM HEANEY
Dumbarton,
Scotland.
Sir, – Am I the only one to agree with Diarmaid Ferriter’s review of Tim Pat Coogan’s book? Historical books are meant to be about facts and [according to the review] this particular book is lacking in some of them.
– Yours, etc,
PAUL DORAN
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.
Sir, – I suspect I would agree with neither Diarmaid Ferriter nor Tim Pat Coogan on the “benefits” of the 1916 uprising. Nevertheless I am interested in what both men have to say on the subject.
While Ferriter’s review of Coogan’s new book was scathing, the vast majority of the adverse comments seem to be in relation to checkable facts.
When I read a history book I don’t mind having to deal with conclusions which are contrary to mine since they are merely the author’s opinions, but I expect the facts to be accurate.
Those who have sought to defend Coogan on account of his years do neither him nor his book any service.
In the words of CP Scott, the legendary editor of the Manchester Guardian, "Comment is free but facts are sacred". I hope that Mr Coogan will continue to produce many books in the years to come as long as he gets a good editor to check his facts before publication. Perhaps Prof Ferriter would be available for this purpose?
– Yours, etc,
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.