"There's a sort of despair that comes out of an absolute love of people. This is how things are. Whatever water you throw at the fire, it just turns into steam. But that doesn't mean you should stop throwing it. The dance of it is important."

The author has devoted his life to the study of Irish history and this huge work is the pinnacle of his labours. He maintains a studied coolness of approach, offers few judgments, and is fair to all sides. While he is unsparing in his descriptions of the muddle, indecision and plain deceit in the preparation and conduct of the rising, he does communicate something of the small-scale grandeur of it all.