+ Booklist 17:58 N ’20
“Prof. Henry has read up the subject widely, but the nature of his book makes it impossible for him to focus the results sharply enough. He does, indeed, direct the attention of his readers to many recent investigations which it is most useful to have brought together, and for this guidance the student who wishes to go farther should be sincerely grateful.” H. R. Mill
+ − Nature 105:158 Ap 8 ’20 1250w
HENRY, ROBERT MITCHELL. Evolution of Sinn Fein. *$2 (3c) Huebsch 941.5
The book is a complete survey of the historical struggle of the Irish for independence. The author asserts that at no time did the English government aim at anything less than the complete moral, material and political subjugation of Ireland—nor did the Irish at any time yield in their assertion of their national independence. How this spirit of independence finally culminated in the birth of the Sinn Fein movement and in the course of the war developed into open rebellion is the subject of the book. The introductory deals with Irish nationalism before the nineteenth century and the chapters following are: Irish nationalism in the nineteenth century; Sinn Fein; The early years of Sinn Fein; Sinn Fein and the republicans; The volunteer movement; Ulster and nationalist Ireland; Sinn Fein, 1914–1916; After the rising; Conclusion.
“It displays generally the gift of patient research into the details of the newest development of revolutionary Ireland, and in this respect supplies much information from the writings and ideals of the present leaders which must be of considerable value to future historians. From the historic point of view the weak point is that the case of England—politically and strategically—is hardly considered at all.” P. B.
+ Ath p507 Ap 16 ’20 1850w
“As a history of the party, it makes very good reading, but unfortunately the author is partisan, almost blindly so, and Sinn Fein is the only matter in Ireland that he finds for praise.”
+ − Boston Transcript p4 D 31 ’20 200w The Times [London] Lit Sup p158 Mr 4 ’20 80w