John Foster (1740-1828)

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Aidan Hegarty

'John Mitchel A Cause Too Many' by Co Derry writer Aidan Hegarty is a very interesting biography of the Young Irelander born in Dungiven. It is an easy read but that is not to say it is not well researched. It covers that period in Irish History dominated by the Famine and the emergence of the Young Ireland Movement. It is certainly a recommended read for any student who wishes to read about mid-19th century Irish History but wants to avoid chapter after chapter of detail. It is, in my view, a worthwhile read and gives an interesting insight into John Mitchel and his lesser known American Story. (Screenog)

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Sybil Downing and Robert E. Smith

Thomas McDonald Patterson, described by contemporaries as the most prominent figure in Colorado history, achieved a degree of political influence, professional fame, and financial success that makes his relative obscurity a mystery. As the acknowledged leader of the Democratic party from 1876 to 1892, he raised the party's respectability. By engineering a fusion of silver Democrats and populists to challenge Republican dominance, he brought about an effective two-party system. In Patterson's lengthy career he was instrumental in Colorado's quest for statehood, served as territorial delegate to Congress, was the first Democratic U.S. congressman, and later a U.S. senator. As owner and publisher of the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Times, Patterson supported many unpopular causes, among them organized labor. In defending freedom of the press, he survived serious boycotts by large advertisers and a contempt citation by the Colorado Supreme Court. Infuriated by election swindles, Patterson worked with other progressive reformers to curtail corruption in municipal and state government, including the Democratic machine of mayor Robert Speer.

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Plutarch

This story is set in the mid-fourth century B.C., in the city-state of Syracuse on the island of Sicily. It's the story of two father-and-son tyrant rulers who called themselves kings, both named Dionysius (pronounced Die-oh-nee-see-us). But the main character is Dion (pronounced Dion as in Lion), who was a relative, mentor, and finally mortal enemy to the second Dionysius. It has been pointed out that Dion and his siblings Megacles and Aristomache, as the children of Hipparinus, a wealthy and powerful man, had a social status that the upstart Dionysius I lacked, which suggests that envy might have been partially to blame for the increasing conflict between the families. However, Dionysius was clever enough to make use of Dion's good connections in his dealings with other rulers, where he himself, perhaps, might not have been shown as much respect.

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Matthew Cragoe

This detailed, scholarly exploration of Welsh political culture in the 19th century offers a new interpretation of the rise of nationalism. The author shows how the focus of legitimate power in the community shifted from the aristocracy to the urban middle classes.