Revolutionary; statesman; polymath: Frank Aiken cuts a colossal figure in twentieth century Irish history. However, he remains a controversial figure regarded as a war criminal by some and a principled proponent of National liberation by others. In this engaging biographical collection, contributors scrutinise Aiken s thoughts and actions at several critical junctures in modern Irish and world history, taking readers through the War of Independence, Civil War, the birth of the new state, the Second World War, the Cold War and the modern Northern Ireland Troubles. Divided into two sections Nationalist and Internationalist and based on an unrivalled breadth of testimony from academics, family members, rivals and colleagues, this study ultimately details the footprints Aiken left on the national and international political stage. Aiken owed his early eminence to military rather than political leadership; he was commandant of the 4th Northern Division of the IRA during the War of Independence and was driven to undertake the most daring and spectacular feats of the Irish Civil War. He went on to become the Chief of Staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA but was expelled for backing de Valera s plan for a Republican government the beginnings of Fianna Fáil. Thereafter his instrumental role was to be political: a Minister for Defence, Finance, and External Affairs over the course of the following decades; he was to oversee much success and controversy in the burgeoning state. This biography represents the first deserving assessment of a monumental personality in 20th century Irish History.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

Máire Cruise O'Brien explores the republican and revolutionary connections of her family as she was growing up, the fallout of the Civil War, and life in the Irish-speaking districts of Ireland almost a century ago. Máire spent two years studying in post-war Paris where she met Beckett and Sylvia Beech, among others. She became the first ever Irish woman diplomat, a role which took her to Spain in the time of Franco, the General Assembly of the U.N. & the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. After her marriage to Conor Cruise O'Brien, she accompanied him to various countries including wartime Congo when Conor was U.N. representative, Ghana, where he was Chancellor of the new university, and the U.S, when he lectured in New York University. This is the autobiography of a unique woman, spanning most of the 20th century. It is filled with famous people including revolutionaries, writers, statesmen and many more· A compelling insight into a time of great upheaval in Ireland, Europe and Africa.