Dr. Williams is a retired historian, writer and musician who has taught in Ireland, Germany and America. He has published books and articles about Irish-America and Irish history, including Inventing Irish Tourism, The First Century, 1750-1850.

“This book presents fresh perspectives on crucial socio-economic pressures, cultural currents, and ecological factors that shaped the Great Famine’s course and outcomes. Written with a keen understanding of contemporary political actions and attitudes, its integrative, contextualized approach contributes an innovative retelling of the Famine’s history to the field.” — Mary C. Kelly, Franklin Pierce University, US.

• List of Figures; Preface; Introduction; Part One Culture, Religion and Politics in the Pre-Famine Decades; Chapter One The Colonial Background; Chapter Two From Stereotypes to Narrative: The Making of the Irish Other; Chapter Three Politics and Religion in the Age of Daniel O’Connell; Chapter Four Morality and Economics in the Age of Atonement; Part Two The Rise and Fall of the Ireland’s Potato Economy; Chapter Five Poverty and Inequality: The Economic Background; Chapter Six People, Land and Potatoes; Chapter Seven Phytophthora infestans and the Collapse of the Potato Economy; Part Three The Famine Years; Chapter Eight The Arrival of the Potato Blight: 1845–46; Chapter Nine The First Phase of the Famine: Black ’46–’47; Chapter Ten A False Dawn: 1847–48; Chapter Eleven The Return of the Blight: 1848–49; Chapter Twelve Years of Evictions: 1849–52; Part Four The Post- Famine Years; Chapter Thirteen Post- Famine Dreams and Irish Realities in the 1850s; Chapter Fourteen In the Famine’s Wake; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Dr. Williams is a retired historian, writer and musician who has taught in Ireland, Germany and America. He has published books and articles about Irish-America and Irish history, including Inventing Irish Tourism, The First Century, 1750-1850.

“This book presents fresh perspectives on crucial socio-economic pressures, cultural currents, and ecological factors that shaped the Great Famine’s course and outcomes. Written with a keen understanding of contemporary political actions and attitudes, its integrative, contextualized approach contributes an innovative retelling of the Famine’s history to the field.” — Mary C. Kelly, Franklin Pierce University, US.

• List of Figures; Preface; Introduction; Part One Culture, Religion and Politics in the Pre-Famine Decades; Chapter One The Colonial Background; Chapter Two From Stereotypes to Narrative: The Making of the Irish Other; Chapter Three Politics and Religion in the Age of Daniel O’Connell; Chapter Four Morality and Economics in the Age of Atonement; Part Two The Rise and Fall of the Ireland’s Potato Economy; Chapter Five Poverty and Inequality: The Economic Background; Chapter Six People, Land and Potatoes; Chapter Seven Phytophthora infestans and the Collapse of the Potato Economy; Part Three The Famine Years; Chapter Eight The Arrival of the Potato Blight: 1845–46; Chapter Nine The First Phase of the Famine: Black ’46–’47; Chapter Ten A False Dawn: 1847–48; Chapter Eleven The Return of the Blight: 1848–49; Chapter Twelve Years of Evictions: 1849–52; Part Four The Post- Famine Years; Chapter Thirteen Post- Famine Dreams and Irish Realities in the 1850s; Chapter Fourteen In the Famine’s Wake; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Dr. Williams is a retired historian, writer and musician who has taught in Ireland, Germany and America. He has published books and articles about Irish-America and Irish history, including Inventing Irish Tourism, The First Century, 1750-1850.

“This book presents fresh perspectives on crucial socio-economic pressures, cultural currents, and ecological factors that shaped the Great Famine’s course and outcomes. Written with a keen understanding of contemporary political actions and attitudes, its integrative, contextualized approach contributes an innovative retelling of the Famine’s history to the field.” — Mary C. Kelly, Franklin Pierce University, US.

• List of Figures; Preface; Introduction; Part One Culture, Religion and Politics in the Pre-Famine Decades; Chapter One The Colonial Background; Chapter Two From Stereotypes to Narrative: The Making of the Irish Other; Chapter Three Politics and Religion in the Age of Daniel O’Connell; Chapter Four Morality and Economics in the Age of Atonement; Part Two The Rise and Fall of the Ireland’s Potato Economy; Chapter Five Poverty and Inequality: The Economic Background; Chapter Six People, Land and Potatoes; Chapter Seven Phytophthora infestans and the Collapse of the Potato Economy; Part Three The Famine Years; Chapter Eight The Arrival of the Potato Blight: 1845–46; Chapter Nine The First Phase of the Famine: Black ’46–’47; Chapter Ten A False Dawn: 1847–48; Chapter Eleven The Return of the Blight: 1848–49; Chapter Twelve Years of Evictions: 1849–52; Part Four The Post- Famine Years; Chapter Thirteen Post- Famine Dreams and Irish Realities in the 1850s; Chapter Fourteen In the Famine’s Wake; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.