Consumed in Freedom's Flame: A Novel of Ireland's Struggle for Freedom, 1916-1921

This book is a magnificant piece of literature; It is well researched and wonderfully written. It held my interest from beginning to end. As one with an Irish heritage I was captivated by the author's well written story line and factually based history. It is not a book to be read in a hurry or taken lightly. It is to be "eaten" and relished and then given a prominent place on my bookshelf where I keep books that have great meaning for me and will be picked up and reread again in the future. I have the honor and priviledge of knowing the author since childhood and am so pleased that I know how much the publishing of this book meant to him and his family. May this author write many, many more books to keep this Irish lass entralled in her heritage.

The Irish have always had more history than they knew what to do with. This fact is at its most obvious in their ongoing attempt to understand the seven-day uprising of April 1916 and the ensuing struggle against the British which ultimately led to the Irish Free State, a civil war and formation of the current Ireland. Essayist and poet Cathal Liam has entered the ranks of previous Irish fiction writers such as Morgan Llewelyn and Liam O'Flaherty by assembling a comprehensive and intelligent piece of historical fiction for the general reader, as well as for those who can recite "The Bold Fenian Men" at a moment's notice. THE KNOXVILLE NEWS-SENTINEL, July 22, 2001

Set against the Irish struggle against Britain for national freedom during the turbulent years of 1916 to 1921, Cathal Liam's Consumed In Freedom's Flame weaves fact and fiction around the chronology of events surrounding the 1916 Easter Rebellion and the ensuing Irish War of Independence. Gripping, highly recommended reading from first page to last, Consumed In Freedom's Flame offers characters as memorable as the events they created and were caught up in.

On the spur of the moment I picked up this book for a Christmas read. I couldn't put it down. I had no idea what the Irish people had to endure to secure their freedom, in their own land no less. It was simply amazing! I certainly have a new appreciation and respect for those men and women who battled the forces of the crown for self-government...a right the British were defending and protecting in Europe during 1914-1918. The book has a bit of everything...something for everyone who likes historical novels with a sense of well researched authenticity about it.

Being Irish myself, I took pride in reading of Ireland's struggle to gain its freedom from Britain. It was an eye-opening account of how a small, dedicated band of men and women overcame immence odds in their desire to liberate their country and restore its Gaelic pride and heritage. I gained a new, deeper respect for what it means to be Irish and for those who willingly put their lives on the line for the cause of freedom. I learned much I didn't know about Irish history and was swept up by Aran Roe O'Neill's personal struggles. Though some of the characters are imaginary, they are actually very real, full-of-life, commanding respect and admiration. The use of action scenes interspersed with historical flashbacks carried me along, making the book difficult to put down. I found myself still reading at three in the morning and not many books are able to capture my fancy like that. I think anyone, Irish or not, who likes historical fiction, would greatly enjoy this well-told tale.