A lot has been written about the great Famine in Ireland over the years, but this first-hand account left an invaluable snapshot of the character and lives of so many of our ancestors.

Written by a feisty no-nonsense widow from New York who traveled extensively throughout Ireland during that dark time. She felt compelled to see for herself the conditions under which more than half the population lived. In the process she fell in love with the Irish people and saw things that probably haunted her forever. Graveyards with so many piled coffinless bodies that the top one would often be half-exposed. Dogs eating people and people eating dogs. Sick and starving families evicted, living in roadside ditches. The absence of hearing children at play. They haunt me now.

"I must not enlarge; these things are not mentioned to probe afresh the painful sensations which philanthropists have felt for Ireland, but to bear a testimony to facts, which deserve to be recorded; and should any of these facts appear exaggerated, let it be said that no language is adequate to give the true, the real picture; one look of the eye into the daily scenes there witnessed, would overpower what any pen, however graphic, or tongue, however eloquent, could portray.". - Asenath Nicholson.

The real story of the intentional starvation of the Irish.

This book is for all who really wants to know what actually was going on during the famine years. It sad to read how many could turn their backs and yet others tried to be helpful. The food that actually left Ireland during the famine while people wasted away is heartbreaking to read about. The excuses of the British...they wouldn't know how to cook it. Oh please spare me.

It's a must read for those doing genealogy. When you can't find your ancestor's date of death and where the cemetery was, you'll know why. And the hardships they went through...terrible doesn't describe it.

hard to get used to author’s writing style, but totally enlightening and graphic. Prepare to learn things you don’t like learning about the conditions during famine.

The potato famine in ireland was similar in certain respects to any national disaster which kills off part of the population. This is an excellent first hand account of a disaster which took over 1 million lives, written by a very brave and courageous woman who deserves our admiration and respect.

The voice of a biased but strikingly compassionate woman is the mainstay of this book, which has the distinction of having been written well around the time of these tragic events. Don’t make the mistake of skimming over seemingly insignificant, tranquil verbosity. Like an Atlantic coast storm pathos slams onto the page without warning in some key passages.

The service was very good the book itself I found hard to follow. It hoped around too much.

Riveting account and details of simple scenes and conversations with people of all ages and situations as Ms. Nicholson walked and carted through Ireland. A first-hand view of what the great famine was all about. Anyone with Irish ancestry from the 19th century will want to read.

This is the diary of an American woman's journey through Ireland during the famine. The famine resulted from the failure of the potato harvest in two successive years due to blight. Because the potato was the only sustenance of the poor, its failure caused death on a massive scale from starvation and disease The writer is Asenath Nicholson - an American woman who had visited Ireland some years before so had an awareness of the horrific conditions under which the majority of the population lived.

During the famine she worked with those providing relief to the poor. She travelled extensively throughout the country to do so. She saw a great variety of management and distribution of relief. Her commentary is revealing. In places where the attitude by those in charge had an urgency befitting the circumstances survival rates were good. In other places where the focus was bureaucratic the death rates of recipients were higher. There were instances where the Indian meal sent freely from American charities rotted at the docks whilst distribution was debated.

The most memorable scene for me was her arrival on an island of the coast of Donegal. She was heartened and almost joyful by the sight of some healthy looking dogs near the docks. Her boatman's demeanor betrayed the reality.

Horrific and frightening read. Poorest of the poor starved to death by greed and ignorance. My greatest concern is that is happening again but this time the oppressors are our own government in league with "Irish" and German Banks.

At times it can be a very hard read due to the almost proselytising presentation of the subject matter. However, the total dedication of the author to her duty as she sees it and her clear recording, at times in almost a matter of fact way, of the absolute horror of the Great Hunger is at once shocking and inspirational. For a contemporary account of the Famine it would be difficult to present a more accurate record than is contained in this book. Bear in mind that the author is a confirmed Protestant Christian and presents her account in a way reflective of that faith.

This is invaluable source material for anybody seriously interested in the the Great Famine in Ireland in the mid 19th century. An account by a disinterested and very independent American woman interested only in helping where she was able and in supporting and cajoling others into helping where they could.

There was shame and praise to be shared over English and Irish, Catholic and Protestant. The incompetence of the aid effort - and the despicable theft of food aid - is ruthlessly exposed. The cynical callousness of some and the selfless striving of others is described in detail.

A harrowing tale - as it must be of such a terrible period - but with a few reports of good people to lighten the horror a little.

A remarkable woman.

very good and interesting read for those interested in the history of the Irish famine. Nothin like getting a first hand account from a neutral party which is precisely what this book is. Excellent.