This portrait of Ireland begins with its prehistory looking at the archaeological remains and moves on through the years describing everything from the High Kings of Tara, the evolution of Christianity and its importance, the Norman invasion under Strongbow and the Tudor conquest in the 16th century to the gains of the 19th century and the current position in the European Community. At the back of the book is an A-Z gazetteer cross-referenced to the main text and useful reference tables.


The Traveller's History series is designed for travellers who want more historical background on the country they are visiting than can be found in a tour guide. Each volume offers a complete and authoritative history of the country from the earliest times up to the present. A Gazetteer cross-referenced to the main text pin-points the historical importance of sights and towns.Illustrated with maps and line drawings, this literate and lively series makes ideal before-you-go reading, and is just as handy tucked into suitcase or backpack.A Traveller's History of Russia gives a comprehensive survey of that country's past from the earliest times up to the era of "perestroika" and the end of the Soviet Union, its devolution into 15 separate republics, the tragedy of the Chechen War, right through to the present.