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“Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War”

“Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War” by J.J. Collins traces the Irish-American experience during the American Civil War.

“Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War” (ISBN 1463513518) by J.J. Collins recounts the Irish-American journey of immigration, enlistment, military service and post-war work in the mid-19th Century.

According to Collins, over 1 million Irish immigrants arrived in the United States between 1845 and 1853. Predominantly poor and unskilled, this community was soon embroiled in the conflict between northern and southern states that came to a head in 1861. Most of the Irish conscripts and volunteers served in the Union army, Collins reports, representing states including Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts. Over the course of the war, Irish American soldiers would rise to the heights of military rank, serve as the decisive factor in a number of battles and help shape its outcome. Collins traces the Irish-American narrative after General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox courthouse, discussing the war’s aftermath and later political and social impact of the Irish community.

“My book tells the story of prelude to war, the war itself and post-war consequences for both America and the Irish as a unique ethnic group,” Collins says. “My aim is to recognize the unique contribution of the Irish to America and how their participation in the American Civil War enabled them to become better accepted into American society.”

Intended to educate and inform, the book focuses on generals, soldiers, politicians and history-making individuals of Irish descent. It also offers commentary and perspective on civilian contributions and the impact of military service on public perception of immigration and diversity.

“Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War” is available for sale online at Amazon.com and other channels.

Book Reviews of Famine to Freedom

A Must Read for Students of the Irish and American Civil War History!

Review by Author Lada Ray

I love history. So naturally, I was very interested in reading author J.J. Collins’ book about the unknown pages of the American Civil War. It seems the civil war subject had already been done to death. But this book is drastically different. The author presents an absolutely fresh angle of this crucial page in the American history.

The book starts with an excellent overview of the general history of the Irish immigration to the USA and the state of the country before the start of the war. The author proceeds to analyze the reasons for the clash between the North and the South, and does so in a very balanced way. The book also contains a thorough overview of various battles during this brutal war. Abe Lincoln fans will find some interesting information about the American President’s role in various stages of the conflict.

But the most important part of the book is an in-depth description of various regiments of Irish and Scots-Irish descent and their role in the war. Of course, living in the USA, I heard a lot about the role of the Irish immigrants in the history of this country. Fleeing from potato famine and their ongoing conflict with the British authorities, they sought a fresh start and paradise on earth on the other side of the Atlantic. The Irish helped build railroads and canals, toiled at mills, and played a large role in the industrialization of the USA. They came for freedom and peace. But what they didn’t bargain for was to land in the midst of someone else’s civil war.

I was particularly interested – and surprised – to learn about the Irish in the American South and their participation in the Confederate Army. I think a reader will find quite a few discoveries in the book, from the scale of the Irish participation in the conflict to the difference in motivations of those Irish who found themselves on the opposite sides of the trenches. As with all civil wars, the society was divided to the max. But the author does an excellent job describing the conflict in an even-handed manner. His approach is balanced, yet humane.

The amount of research is very impressive and the book is surprisingly easy to read. The author’s pride in the Irish heritage adds further appeal to the book. However, I would have liked to see more personable and unique anecdotes adding a human touch to the book’s dramatic subject. That would have made it interesting to a broader audience and added even more value to this excellent work. All in all, Famine to Freedom is a must read for students of the Irish and American Civil War history. As for me, I am looking forward to the new books from this talented author!

http://ladaray.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/book-review-famine-to-freedom-the-irish-in-the-american-civil-war-by-j-j-collins/

Book Review:

By

James B. Dougherty “Jim D” (Greenwich, CT USA) -

This review is from: Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War (Paperback)

Famine to Freedom is a very interesting and informative book. What a great resource for not only those interested in the Irish American involvement in the U.S. Civil War but for all those interested in the Civil War. It is very helpful in that it first presents an overview of the history leading up to and then including the Civil War and then goes into the specifics of the Irish American involvement. Too often the role of Irish Americans on the Confederate side is overlooked, that is not the case in Famine to Freedom as Irish Ameerican involvement on both sides is presented. This book is a great resource for not only those interested in the contributions of Irish Americans to the history of America but for all those interested in Ameican history, especially in the Civil War.

Review written by Benet Exton

J.J. Collins is an Irishman who lives and writes in London, England. In “Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War” (CreateSpace, $15.99, paperback), he examines the American Civil War from an Irish point of view. He examines why so many Irishmen joined the Union Army or the Confederate Army.

Collins also presents an overview of the battles and short histories of the various Union and Confederate regiments. The author gives short biographies of the major Irish and non-Irish people of the Civil War.

“Famine to Freedom” shows that the Irish made a major impact during the Civil War. In many battles, a lot of Irish lives were lost because they gave their all for their cause.

This book is highly recommended to those interested in the Civil War and Irish-American history.

Benet Exton

Read more: http://newsok.com/book-review-famine-to-freedom-the-irish-in-the-american-civil-war-by-j.j.-collins/article/3628540#ixzz1fkFWSJ6v

Book source details:

Author Name:: J.J.Collins
Book Title:: Famine to Freedom: The Irish in the American Civil War
ISBN:: ISBN-10: 1463513518
Publisher:: J.J.Collins

Review written by North South News.com (March 12, 2012)

Irish Americans have long filled a special, if changing, role in American life and development. Between 1710 and 1775 an estimated 200,000 Scots-Irish left for America while during the American war of independence an estimated third of Washington’s army was made up of Irish volunteers. Subsequently, writing home, Irish settlers described America as a land of great opportunity, free of landlords and tyranny, and natural resources beyond their wildest dreams. Many more Irish followed, enticed by such descriptions although anti-Irish tensions increased because, as Roman Catholics they were viewed with suspicion and prejudice and for a time no other group of immigrants were considered to be lower than the Irish who formed the first ghettos in America. Yet, by 1860 over 50 per cent of the New York police were Irish. Back in Ireland, whose population in 1840 was about eight million, disaster struck in 1845 with the potato famine that reduced the population to about three million over ten years by death from famine or as migrants to America. Between 1845 and 1853 an estimated two million Irish arrived in America. By 1860 the Irish had become a major force in urban politics. Then came the American civil war. Due to the numbers involved, the terrible casualties, the development of the concept of total war this civil war has come to be regarded as the first modern war.

The author then examines the progress of the civil war but does so twice: first he deals in chronological order with the principal battles and their outcome; then he looks at them again from the point of view of Irish involvement. It is an unusual but effective way of dealing with his theme. As the war progressed and the high rate of Irish casualties became known shock and horror pervaded the Irish community in New York with its growing number of widows. It was an insatiable war and draft measures had to be introduced to raise the required number of troops. The author spells out the Irish contribution and losses in each of the major battles and the Irish impact, by any standards (in both the Union and Confederate armies) was enormous.

It is the usual tragedy of our world that the Irish made an indelible contribution to their acceptance as part of the United States through warfare. In his final chapter, The Irish after the American Civil War, the author claims that the war proved a transformation act for the Irish. No longer were they seen as the lowest of the low. A final quote: While their nationalism had never been questioned, their commitment and bravery on both sides of the war and their sheer force of numbers established them as American patriots. The book represents a substantial addition to the history of the Irish in America.

Link to article: http://www.northsouthnews.com/index.php/books/721-famine-to-freedom-j-j-collins-amazoncom-price-1500-or-email-jjcollins100hotmailcom-

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