The Immortal Irishman

Synopsis

In the New York Times bestseller The Immortal Irishman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Timothy Egan illuminates the dawn of the great Irish American story, with all its twists and triumphs, through the life of one heroic man.

A dashing young orator during the Great Hunger of the 1840s, Thomas Francis Meagher led a failed uprising against British rule, for which he was banished to a Tasmanian prison colony for life. But two years later he was "back from the dead" and in New York, instantly the most famous Irishman in America. Meagher's rebirth included his leading the newly formed Irish Brigade in many of the fiercest battles of the Civil War. Afterward, he tried to build a new Ireland in the wild west of Montana - a quixotic adventure that ended in the great mystery of his disappearance, which Egan resolves convincingly at last.

"This is marvelous stuff. Thomas F. Meagher strides onto Egan's beautifully wrought pages just as he lived - powerfully larger than life. A fascinating account of an extraordinary life."-Daniel James Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Facing the Mountain

Summary

Chapter 1: The Boy from Ireland

* Introduction of Michael Davitt, his humble beginnings in Mayo, Ireland, and his experiences during the Great Famine.
* Example: Davitt's recollection of his father desperately trying to feed the family with turnips during the famine.

Chapter 2: The Fenian

* Davitt joins the Fenian Brotherhood, a secret society seeking Irish independence from British rule.
* Example: Davitt's involvement in the Fenian uprising of 1867 and subsequent imprisonment for his involvement.

Chapter 3: The Prisoner

* Davitt's seven years in prison transform his perspective and ignite his passion for social justice.
* Example: Davitt's compelling account of the degrading conditions and harsh punishments he endured in prison.

Chapter 4: The Land Leaguer

* After his release, Davitt co-founds the Irish National Land League, advocating for land reforms and tenant rights.
* Example: The successful boycott of the "Landlord's and Tenants' Rights Association" organized by the Land League.

Chapter 5: The Politician

* Davitt becomes a Member of Parliament and continues his fight for Irish independence and social justice.
* Example: His passionate speeches in Parliament against the eviction of tenants and his advocacy for home rule.

Chapter 6: The Citizen of the World

* Davitt travels extensively, promoting his ideas and supporting other movements for social change.
* Example: His friendship with Mahatma Gandhi and influence on the Indian independence movement.

Chapter 7: The Reformer

* Davitt remains a tireless advocate for prison reform, education, labor rights, and women's suffrage.
* Example: His establishment of the Irish Catholic Prisoners' Aid Society and his support for the establishment of free libraries in Ireland.

Chapter 8: The Man of Faith

* Davitt's deep religious beliefs shape his social activism and humanitarian efforts.
* Example: His role in promoting interfaith dialogue and his opposition to the use of violence in the struggle for Irish independence.

Chapter 9: The Immortal Irishman

* Davitt's legacy as a transformative figure in Irish history and an inspiration for social justice movements worldwide.
* Example: The continued reverence for Davitt in Ireland and the establishment of the Michael Davitt Foundation to carry on his work.