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We Don't Know Ourselves

A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958

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We Don't Know Ourselves

By: Fintan O'Toole
Narrated by: Aidan Kelly
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About this listen

Fintan O'Toole, Ireland's leading public intellectual and author of Heroic Failure, tells a history of Ireland in his own time - a brilliant interweaving of memoir and historical narrative.

Fintan O'Toole was born in 1958. His life covers Ireland's journey out of underdevelopment and domination by the Church, to the country's transformation into the relatively prosperous and tolerant society that it is today. But, along the way, there was a sectarian civil war in the North, which cast a dark shadow over the whole island, and bitter struggles for intellectual, civil and sexual freedoms. The Church fought a long rearguard action to defend its entrenched positions in education, healthcare and childcare. The truth about child abuse and institutional cruelty emerged slowly, and women still had to die to make possible the liberalisation of Irish laws on contraception and divorce.

This is a very personal history by a writer who is considered by many to be the country's leading public intellectual. He was a participant in many of the controversies and arguments of the past 35 years and knew the leading literary, musical and political figures of those decades.

©2021 Fintan O'Toole (P)2021 W F Howes Europe Ireland Inspiring Thought-Provoking War

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All stars
Most relevant  
By turns infuriating, exhilarating and entertaining this is a wonderful book. Could not begin to recommend it highly enough

Outstanding

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All encompassing, with a focus on the peculiar duality of a country and people.
This is a philosophical thriller and a history with a dramatic and engaging brilliance, that keeps up the pace until the last.

The truest description of Ireland, Exciting.

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This book should probably be on the national curriculum. Incredibility insightful. My family and friends may tire of my recommendation to read it, but I'm afraid it will continue for quite a while.

Phenomenal

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What a great listen. .. except for the few pages of the parts that had to involves lots of numbers and percentages where I slipped into hearing the teacher out of Charlie Brown ( totally my problem an no one else’s) I loved all of it. A great insight into a fascinating people and a country I love.
Aiden Kelly strikes again too, one of my favourite narrators.

Completely consuming

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A thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating read. Beautifully written, eloquently expressed, superbly narrated by Aiden Kelly.

Absolutely tremendous!

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I enjoy Fintan O'Tooles writing in general. I think he gives balanced informed narrative with a pinch of lefty that sits comfortably with me. The reader I found was a bit 'angry' in delivery which gave the volume a feel of judging rather well worded opinion and experience. Overall a good compressed insight to Irela d from then until now hitting key themes and events.

we know ourselves, kinda, maybe

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As a Dubliner born in 1963 now living in Hangzhou, China, this personal history of modern Ireland by Fintan O’Toole revealed Ireland to me in a way that nothing else has since I emigrated from Ireland in 1990.
Summer and Christmas visits home just gave me glimpses of what was going on.
Listening to Aidan Kelly’s excellent narration on my morning walks along the Qiantang River, I found myself transported home. At times either laughing or stifling tears at the detail of events I half remembered.
It is particularly good at really getting into the detail of the power of church and state in the Ireland of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. The whole concept ‘knowns and unknowns’ in the Irish psyche, absolutely brilliant. I highly recommend this book superbly written and wonderfully narrated.

An outstanding personal history, superbly narrated.

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This is a must read, I will definitely read this book again and look forward to visiting it again

Superb

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I loved it all , the truth , the memories, the questions raised, answered and scripted so very engaging and entertaining. It stoked memories, laughter, frustrations and some stunning recall of Crumlin, Dublin and our wee island. I truly appreciated Fintan’s ability to write record and engage himself and the reader .I valued enjoying it with relief from the current world devastating news and unacceptable behavior. I would so look forward to hearing his presentation of the conflict of Gaza and all who suffer with the refusal to cease respecting life. Thanks so much Fintan I will seek your other books now. You will be highly recommended to all I chat with . 🙏👍🏼💯👏🏼

Truly amazing couldn’t turn it off.

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Writes with a great sense of humour and taught me a great deal about my own country. Well worth the read.

Fabulously entertaining

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