Great Famine: Ireland's Potato Famine, 1845-51

A devastating potato blight swept across Europe to Ireland in 1845. In the next 6 years, over a million Irish people died from the effects of prolonged hunger & disease. Hundreds of thousands were evicted from their homes & left to wander the country roads or drift into the towns. More than a million people fled by going abroad -- some to England, others to America & Australia. Reveals the truth behind the myths, as well as its long-term effects on the social & political structure of Ireland. In particular, he shows how the famine became part of the long story of betrayal & exploitation which led to the growing movement in Ireland for independence. Illustrated.