Princes of Ireland

The Dublin Saga

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Richard Matthews

Length: 26 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The saga begins in tribal, pre-Christian Ireland during the reign of the fierce and mighty High Kings at Tara, with the tale of two lovers, the princely Conall and the ravishing Deirdre, whose travails cleverly echo the ancient Celtic legend of Cuchulainn. From that stirring beginning, Rutherfurd takes the listener on a powerfully imagined journey through the centuries. Through the interlocking stories of a memorable cast of characters (druids and chieftains, monks and smugglers, noblewomen and farmwives, merchants and mercenaries, rebels and cowards) we see Ireland through the lens of its greatest city.

While vividly and movingly conveying the passions and struggles that shaped the character of Dublin, Rutherfurd portrays the major events in Irish history: The tribal culture of pagan Ireland; the mission of St. Patrick; the coming of the Vikings and the founding of Dublin; the glories of the great nearby monastery of Glendalough and the making of treasures like the Book of Kells; the extraordinary career of Brian Boru; and the trickery of Henry II, which gave England its first foothold in Medieval Ireland. The stage is then set for the great conflict between the English kings and the princes of Ireland, and the disastrous Irish invasion of England, which incurred the wrath of Henry VIII and where this book, the first of the two-part Dublin Saga, draws to a close, as the path of Irish history takes a dramatic and irrevocable turn.

Rich, colorful, and impeccably researched, The Princes of Ireland is epic entertainment spun by a master.

©2004 Edward Rutherfurd (P)2004 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"A tour de force....Breathtaking." (Orlando Sentinel)

"Rutherfurd literally personifies history." (New York Daily News)

"A richly imagined vision of history, written with genuine delight." (San Francisco Chronicle)

Couldn't turn the ignition off

I'd had trouble putting down Mr. Rutherford's other books (Sarum, London, New Forest), so I eagerly downloaded his latest and wasn't disappointed. His account of Irish history through the lives of fictional characters is both educational and entertaining. There is a little bit of everything, adventure, drama, love, intrigue, you name it. If anything, I found in previous books he would rush through the last century of history and so I am glad that he is devoting two volumes for Princes of Ireland. Of course, now I have to wait for the second volume!

Fair

If you've already listened to Frank Delaney's
"Ireland, A Novel", this book (and many others) will be a pale comparison.

Outstanding Story!

This book was a very well written story with characters that are believeable. The way the author ties some historical facts alongside some well-placed fiction makes for a brilliant story and a book I could not stop listening to. It gave me a better appreciation for Irish history and how the people of Ireland came to be. I strongly endorse this book. Hugh Connelly, President, Burlington County Ancient Order of Hibernians.

more rutherfurd please

I have just finished Princes of Ireland and even after 25 hours I am sad that it is over. Superbly developed characters are set into the context of fascinating historical details. This is my third Rutherfurd epic (Sarum, New Forest) and I enjoyed this the most. This could be because I listened to it only in my car and as I am in my car at least twice a day I got to listen more frequently than I would get chances to pick up the book to read, therefore the story is more immediate and memorable....(just a theory !). Please could we get other Rutherford tales ? How about London?

Thank you Richard Matthews!

The brilliant reading by Mr. Matthews is why I gave this a solid 4 stars. I often found myself wondering how this would have been if I were reading it and I'm not sure I would have gotten through it.

Fantastic

What an epic story... and so much of it is based in truth. As soon as I finished (after making many excuses to drive around more than necessary to listen a bit more) I looked up more books by this author. This book traces the history of Dublin through the lives of certain people/families and makes a very believeable and sweeping saga. I have never felt so proud of my trickle of Irish blood!

In depth history

In depth historical fiction of Dublin with interconnected short stories of the Irish people. Extremely informative, a must read before a visit to Ireland. Narration was very well done.

Great Listen

Informative and places you back in time. I thought this is a must read for Irish woman!

Believable

Very enjoyable listening. May not be entirely historically correct. but it is very believable.

Edward Rutherford is a gifted author

Once I start any if his books, its difficult to put down. His ability to take actual historical events and entertwine them to fictional stories snd characters is second to none. This is the fifth book Ive read and have the next one lined up already. Can't wait...