The Great Shame

And the Triumph of the Irish in the English-Speaking World

In The Great Shame, Thomas Keneally—the bestselling, Booker Prize–winning author of Schindler’s List—combines the authority of a brilliant historian and the narrative grace of a great novelist to present a gripping account of the Irish diaspora.

The nineteenth century saw Ireland lose half of its population to famine, emigration, or deportation to penal colonies in Australia—often for infractions as common as stealing food. Among the victims of this tragedy were Thomas Keneally’s own forebearers, and they were his inspiration to tell the story of the Irish who struggled and ultimately triumphed in Australia and North America. Relying on rare primary sources—including personal letters, court transcripts, ship manifests, and military documents—Keneally offers new and important insights into the impact of the Irish in exile. The result is a vivid saga of heroes and villains, from Great Famine protesters to American Civil War generals to great orators and politicians.

"In the style of the best historians, [Keneally] allows the intrinsic power of the tales he tells and the people who populate his pages to draw the reader into a fully elaborated universe."—The New York Times

©1998 The Serpentine Publishing Co., Ltd. (P)2000 Recorded Books

Longest story ever, but interesting

The extraordinary length and detailed digressions. Author really got into the weeds and it was hard to follow at times

Wonderful history of the Irish icons of 19th C

It is hard to imagine how it could be better told that the persons and character of the Young Irelanders shaped the history of the Irish in Australia, America, and Ireland itself, as collectively they brought us into the fateful Twentieth Century. The Easter Rising, the Troubles, and the freeing of Ireland that began more than one hundred years ago are now in clearer context for this reader. Keneally’s masterful color portraits of Mitchel, O’Brien, O’Reilly, and “Saint Kevin” are only matched by the thoroughness of his research and patient exposition. It was a distinct pleasure and comprehensive education to read this book, or hear it wonderfully read on Audible. Congratulations are deserved all around.

MAGNIFICENT

This is an ABSOLUTE read for anyone from Irish descent and those who are not.
I have studied Ireland and the Irish in my quest for world history and this book rates among the best.
It covers the Irish in different parts of the world, starting in Australia as a penal colony.
The author talks extensively about the Irish in the United States.
There never was a part in the book that was “ boring” or not interesting.
The narrator, mr. John McDonough, has an excellent voice for such a long book.
My thanks to all involved and especially for Audible offering the book for “free”, JK.

First read

I am enjoying this book, especially after just finishing Immortal Irishman. I am having a problem with Shame only in that it is read by an Englishman. They should have chosen a person with the Irish brogue. The history of the English dominance of Ireland is ugly one in so many respects. Listening to a book about Hitler's Germany read by a person with a German accent would not be as effective as one read in a Jewish accent. Just one man's opinion.

Magnificent history

Keneally tells a multi-century story with clarity and nuance. This is narrative that explains modern Irish history.