James Connollybelieved in a day when socialism and nationalism would rise together andIreland would be free.

Born in Edinburgh in 1868, James Connolly moved to Dublin in 1896 and founded the Irish Socialist Republican Party and the Workers' Republic newspaper. He lectured and campaigned for socialism in the US, where he also organised for the Industrial Workers of the World. In 1913 he stood with Jim Larkin in the fight for workers' rights during the Lockout in Dublin.

A founder of the Irish Citizen Army, he conspired to overthrow British rule in Ireland. He was appointed commandant-general of the Dublin Division of the Army of the Irish Republic during the Easter Rising 1916. Despite being severely wounded, Connolly was executed in Kilmainham Gaol on 12 May 1916.



Preface

Introduction page

The Early Years

Married with Children

The Irish Socialist Republican Party

The Workers' Republic

Socialism and Nationalism

To America

A Tragedy

The Wobblies

Socialism Made Easy

Back Home to Ireland

The Great Lockout and the Irish Citizen Army

The World at War

The Re-Conquest of Ireland

Our Faith in Freedom

Our Own Red Blood

Field General Court Martial

Conclusion

Appendix

Notes

Bibliography

Index



a rattling good read



these biographies are invaluable in painting a portrait of the real people behind the names



well-written ... an auspicious start to the new series



remarkably fresh and enjoyably written, and very much in an accessible spirit



Collins sets a high tone ... well-researched portrayal of the man



a remarkable series ... gives readers a valuable insight into the men who were executed for their part in the 1916 Rising



Two new series from Irish publishers are targeted more particularly at the 1916 Rising. The O'Brien Press offers the more structured series, 16 Lives, complete with attractive marketing materials and a high profile launch in the GPO in Dublin



an epic new series of books ... O'Brien Press is first off the 1916 centenary mark with 16 Lives ... it is early days but 16 Lives has set the bar for the run into 2016