Review: The Great Famine: The History of the Irish Potato Famine during the Mid-19th Century

The Great Famine: The History of the Irish Potato Famine during the Mid-19th Century by Charles River Editors
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This quick read details Ireland's potato famine in the mid-19th century. The book follows chronologically, discussing the political climate prior to the famine, through the years of mass starvation 1845-1849, and post-famine consequences. There is a good discussion on blight, the cause of the potato crop failure, as well as the mass emigration that happened because of the famine. Many tried to leave for Canada and America but were just too sick to finish the journey.

This is not an overly in-depth review, but it is a good overview to give the reader an understanding of the devastation to Ireland, including short-term and long-term effects.

View all my reviews