The culmination of over seven years research, this volume is the seminal work of the former director of the Ulster Museum. Extending to nearly 400 pages, the book contains seven chapters covering Roads and Bridges, Canals, Railways, pre-industrial and early industrial power sources, flax and linen, the Tyrone coalfields and a concludung chapter on Conservation and Preservation. The volume is replete with photographs from the collection of some 26,000 prints which now form the McCutcheon Archive in Belfast, as well as detailed drawings and a broad selection of facsimile items, some of which verge on the humourous. A sad background theme throughout the book is the destruction taking place in Northern Ireland which does make the headlines - the removal (through design or neglect) of antique industrial sites; some of these photographs afford the only chance anyone will ever have of viewing some of this lovely country's industrial past.

I read this book in a college class and loved it. It is very well-written and structured, and perfect for the casual reader of history. Reflecting on the broader intellectual impact of the Civil War rather than the details of the battles was very interesting.

I read this book and took the time to visit some of the inns that were featured in this book. The author(s) did a great job of reflecting the atmosphere and charm of each inn!

The most detailed and complete field guide on insects I've ever seen....plenty of color drawings and descriptions on morphology, habitat, ecology and ethology of each species. If you love the nature you can't loose it!

We purchase guide books like these in an effort to be well prepared for weekend (or longer) trips.

Those books are very specific (where to go with your dogs, where to go boating, etc...) But they leave out other information. This makes it necessary to use numerous books to piece together a plan for where to go and what to do.

We've found this book in particular provides a very wide range of information on many different activities and resources which are represented in a very inviting and knowledgable manner.

The other books may be a good way to find out details about a lake or river, or a campground that allows dogs, but 'Inside Out, Northern California' is a great general purpose activity and traveling guide that includes information on specialized interests such as ours as well.

Just select a portion of the Northern California area you'd like to investigate and this book will make you feel like an insider, armed with a good overview not only of where to go and what to do, but also what the people are like, the history of the area and how it relates to the activities you will find in those areas.

As they say, don't leave home without it.

If you will be driving through Ireland, this is the book for you. Many other books are not necessarily geared for driving trips, but this one has maps and driving directions for all areas of Ireland. It also tells you how long it will take to get from A to B, which is hard to predict even when you know the mileage, due to differing road conditions. Plus the book is full of color photography and color maps which makes it more pleasurable to read and browse through. We initially got this from the library but are buying a copy because it is one of the more useful guides for our type of trip. AAA guides are also good for driving travelers.

This is not a how-to book. However it does show close-ups of people in the process of doing crafts. There are also pictures of tools used in the various crafts. The photographs are mostly black and white with a small color section (125). There are 440 illustrations. There are columns of information to go with each craft. Crafts coved include textiles, stonework, woodwork, (Willow, rush and straw), lather, metalwork, pottery, glassware, candle making, fly-tying, and rural life. Makes a good coffee table book.

I read this book with great delight and enthusiasm. I was already acquainted with Dr. Finnegan's previous history of Ireland and was looking forward to an updated edition. The good news here is that this book is a wholly new work, ambitious but eminently readable, peppered with Dr Finnegan's own scholarly but literary style. Anyone interested in the roots of the current conflicts in Ireland and a clear picture of the state of Irish politics today, would do well to purchase this book. Anyone who calls themselves knowledgeable about the situation in Ireland needs to have this book on their shelf.

The book is particularly insightful on the issue of gunrunning to the IRA and the methods used by the FBI to prosecute these gunrunners. In places it is as gripping as a good detective novel!

This is a lovely coffee table book full of beautiful pictures depicting the old and traditional crafts that began in Ireland. Each chapter is rich with the history of a different craft along with an artisan that keeps up the tradition in today's world. This book is a great way to introduce yourself to traditional Irish crafts you may have not known still existed in today's world, such as making a thatched roof for a cottage. Anyone who is interested in the textile crafts and the traditonal ways of how they are done will also enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in these topics.