The Mountain of the Women

Memoirs of an Irish Troubadour

By: Liam Clancy

Narrated by: Liam Clancy

In an irresistible tale of a life lived fully, if not always wisely, Liam Clancy, of the legendary Irish group the Clancy Brothers, describes his eventful journey from a small town in Ireland in the 1930s into the heart of the New York music scene in the 1950s and ’60s.
Following in the grand tradition of such Irish memoirs as Angela’s Ashes and Are You Somebody?, Liam Clancy relates his life’s story in a raucously funny and star-studded account of moving from provincial Ireland to the bars and clubs of New York City, to the cusp of fame as a member of Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers. Born in 1935, the eleventh out of as many children, young Liam was a naive and innocent lad of the Old Country. His memories of childhood include bounding over hills, streams, and the occasional mountain, getting lost, and eventually found, and making mischief in the way of a typical Irish boy.

As an aimless nineteen-year-old, Clancy met a strange and wonderfully energetic lover of music, Ms. Diane Guggenheim, an American heiress. She and a colleague from America had set out to record regional Irish folk music, and their undertaking led them to Carrick-on-Suir in the shadow of Slievenamon, "The Mountain of the Women," where Mammie Clancy had been known to carry a tune or two in her kitchen. Guggenheim fell for young Liam and swept him along on her travels through the British Isles, the American Appalachians, and finally Greenwich Village, the undisputed Mecca for aspiring artists of every ilk in the late 1950s.

Clancy was in New York to become an actor. But on the side, he played and sang with his brothers, Paddy and Tom, and fellow countryman Tommy Makem, in pubs like the legendary White Horse Tavern. In the heady atmosphere of the Village, Clancy’s life was a party filled with music, sex, and McSorley’s. His friendships with then-unknown artists such as Bob Dylan, Maya Angelou, Robert Redford, Lenny Bruce, Pete Seeger and Barbra Streisand form the backdrop of the charming adventures of a small-town boy making it big in the biggest of cities.

In music circles, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem are known as the Beatles of Irish music. The band’s music continues to play on jukeboxes in pubs and bars, in living rooms of folk music fans, and in Irish American homes throughout the country. Liam Clancy’s lively memoir captures their wild adventures on the road to fame and fortune, and brings to life a man who never lets himself off the hook for his sins, and happily views his success as a blessing.©2002 Liam Clancy; (P)2002 Random House Inc.

Liam is a story teller

This is a wonderful listen. Liam Clancy's Irish brogue is like music to your ears. His sorty is quite interesting too. It's no Angela's Ashes, but very enjoyable.

Memorable Collection of Anecdotes

Most poignant were Clancy's memories of his childhood in impoverished 40's-50's Ireland. As the autobio progressed, however, my regard for Clancy as a moral Irish country boy also lost its virginity as his character slipped into decline. Having Clancy narrate the audiobook is priceless, however, and the bits of original music are powerful and moving. Although I was personally disappointed in Clancy's discarding of his Irish upbringing, I can't deny that this is a compelling book.

loved it so much

the best version of home boys home I’ve heard. Loved it. Irish music holds a special place in my heart.

As good of a narrator as he is a singer.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Mountain of the Women to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version but I would have to assume that most definitely the audio version would be better.
It was absolutely wonderful getting to hear Liam Clancy narrate his story.
I loved the songs throw in a bonus as well.

What other book might you compare The Mountain of the Women to and why?

Well it is like other autobiographies that I've read in some ways because it is about an immigrant coming to New York in part.
But since each person's life is different and each person has their own story that makes it uniquely there's. so

What about Liam Clancy’s performance did you like?

Absolutely everything!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When his mom is recounting the death of his sister me was one of thMay.
Also when they went home to see their father.

Any additional comments?

I can't believe that I have not listen to this book or known about it until now.
It was definitely well worth the listen.
I would have loved to of heard Mr. Clancy narrate other books because he did a wonderful job.
It is too bad that he is no longer with us.
This is a book that I will most definitely be listening to again many times in the future.

a rare book

it should never be read, only listented to...
this AUDIO book opened a whole new angle for me on things I thought I knew about... highly recommended...