Rating: 
Summary: Colorless Depiction of a Colorful Culture
Review: Princes of Ireland lives up literally to its title. This is a lengthy narrative of battle after battle, hero after hero, with wooden characters and nothing else for action. Although in some of his past work, Rutherford has made it a pleasure to follow families through the ages, in Princes, it was difficult to connect lineages. Most of the main characters are lusterless, and with the exception of the last segment, without personality. The final story about a grudge held by one woman against another, based upon a misunderstanding of major proportions, was the only one with a spark of life to it. Although this book offers carefully researched historical detail, it would have been equally enjoyable to read a nonfiction history instead.
Rating: 
Summary: (3.5)A saga of Ireland: mystery and myth
Review: The first of two parts of The Princes of Ireland, The Dublin Saga is a tale so rich that its characters come to life on the pages: nobles, ladies, merchants, thieves and a saint. Using the same successful format as he did in London and Sarum, Rutherfurd begins the evolution of Ireland in A.D. 450. Particular characters illustrate each era as the author draws a line through the pages of history, from one generation to the next, in this familial panorama. Most marked of the events is the British invasion of Ireland, in small increments over many years, until the Kings of Ireland finally incur the wrath of Henry VIII. Rutherfurd's is a fascinating approach, giving the reader a timely point of reference as the various tribes survive each other and the march of progress.From A.D. 450 to the dawn of the Renaissance, Rutherfurd highlights specific events in the continuum of time: the arrival of St. Patrick (and early Christianity), the first landing of the Vikings, the long and important reign of Brian Boru, King Henry II's arrival in 1171 and finally, the hanging of Silken Thomas by King Henry VIII. All of the stories are central to Dublin, as the city alters itself to meet the emerging needs of a diverse population and the various pronunciations that occur with the changing dialects. Dublin's earliest years are beautifully pristine, the land barely touched by humanity; albeit with gigantic monuments to the ancient gods of the druids. In the first chapter, a fated couple is captive to the will of the gods, as expressed by the druids, gods who often require human sacrifice for their appeasement. Thirty years later, Saint Patrick brings the Christian faith to the pagans, spreading Christian dogma, converting the faithful and offering freedom from the brutal blood sacrifices. Once the English invade Ireland, their feudal system is linked to a more European form of governance, including the domination of the Church, increasingly sophisticated laws and the advanced skills of craftsmen. The finished product of well-written historical fiction gives context to the dates that mark the seminal events of civilization. Rutherfurd's skill shows in his characters, which meld so perfectly into their historical perspectives that it is possible to imagine life in such distant eras. The challenges, battles won and lost, the changing religious beliefs and the generations that populate this novel, offer a unique perspective of time and place. Luan Gaines/2004.
Rating: 
Summary: strong history of Dublin
Review: The first of two tomes to cover the history of Ireland especially in Dublin, THE PRINCES OF IRELAND is a deep look at life in Eire from about 430 AD until the early sixteenth century just on the verge of the Renaissance. The book actually contains a series of anecdotal stories starting in pre-Christian Ireland in the fifth century when a heartbreaking romance occurred between a maiden and a Celtic warrior. Two decades later St. Patrick arrives brining with him Christianity. Five years after the St. Patrick "invasion", the Vikings sail to the Emerald Isle. Other major events and some not so signicant in Irish history are told until 1537 when English King Henry VIII hangs Thomas. As he did with LONDON (two millennium in the history of that city, Edward Rutherfurd provides the same treatment to Ireland except this time there will be two volumes with the first book covering eleven hundred years of history. Mr. Rutherfurd uses historical events to bring to life major periods in Dublin, but in each case the narrative serves as a means to enhance the deep look at a particular era. The time and place come first so that this tome is targeted more for extreme history lovers who want the facts, but those who do will receive a first rate treatment. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Edward Rutherfurd Does It Again!!
Review: This book was great. The characters had depth, the storyline
was factual enough to learn about Irish history and fictional enough to keep it interesting. If you enjoy having fun while gaining knowledge this is a great book. My only complaint is that there is a part II, I would have prefered 1500 pages at once because I hate waiting!
Rating: 
Summary: The beginning was the best
Review: when he started in on the politics of Ireland and England it was hard to keep up. At times he put in things that just didn't seem to fit-almost like he added it just to make the book longer. At first I thought it was in there because of historical significance, but then in his epiloge he says he made it up...I think the book should have been shortened and some extraneous material edited out. The beginning was very interesting and I especially was compassionate towards several of the characters he portrayed. Problem was that I would just get into the character and the storyline, and then he would end it, or switch off. Not one of his best reads, but it was enjoyable through most of it so I gave it four stars.
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