London, Eng.: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1991. viii, 693 p.: 3 full-page maps; 21½ cm. (8½ inches). Paperback with illustrated front cover. Includes references, select bibliography, bibliographical note, biographical notes, and index. The scarce first paperback edition. "This paperback edition brings together in one volume Oliver MacDonagh's acclaimed two-volume biography of Daniel O'Connell. The first part of this biography traces O'Connell's life in France and Ireland; his secret marriage; his financial irresponsibility and cares; his practice at the Irish Bar; his mobilization of the Irish masses; and the tremendous achievement of Catholic Emancipation in 1829. The central theme of the latter part of O'Connell's life is his demand for, and campaigns in support of, the repeal of the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland. Although it failed, it was an epic struggle against immense odds and a masterpiece of the political art. In its power of depiction and analysis, this is a fitting biography for the giant of nineteenth-century Irish history" [from the back cover]. The seminal biography of a noted Irish patriot! Book is in Very Good Condition: cover is lightly scratched; creasing at corners, especially lower corner of front cover; majority of pages still white, while remainder have some browning, probably because book was printed on different batches of paper; light upper right corner of last 100 pages lightly creased. All pages are clean and tight.. Very Good.