The Irish-American Dynamite Campaign—A History, 1881-1896

McKenna (author and former librarian, Central Library at Birmingham, England) delves into the origins and activities of Clan-na-Gael, an Irish American organization that, like its predecessor the Fenian Brotherhood, fought for Irish independence from Britain. Clan-na-Gael members were responsible for dynamiting a number of notable British landmarks in the 1880s, including the House of Parliament as well as a botched attempt at blowing up the London Bridge. The author details the many permutations of the Irish independence movement and Clan-na-Gael, the personalities involved, and the stories behind specific incidents. History buffs, researchers, and students alike will be interested in this violent, but little-known slice of the past. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Joseph McKenna is a former Senior Assistant Librarian in the Central Library, Birmingham, England. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Local History, and formerly sat on the Roman Catholic Archdiocesan Historical Commission, and Birmingham City Council`s Conservation Areas Advisory Committee.