"The Easter Rising began at 12 noon, 24 April, 1916 and lasted for six short but bloody days, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians, the destruction of many parts of Dublin, and the true beginning of Irish independence." "The 1916 Rising was born out of the Conservative and Unionist parties' illegal defiance of the democratically expressed wish of the Irish electorate for Home Rule; and of confusion, mishap and disorganization, compounded by a split within the Volunteer leadership. The rebels seized a number of strong points in Dublin and held them until blasted from their positions by an overwhelming superiority in numbers and the use of heavy artillery. The destruction caused by the fighting did not win the rebels wide support in the early aftermath of the Rising, but the subsequent executions of the rebellion's leaders, along with the arrests, court-martialling and detention of 3500 people, three times the number of participants in the Rising, swung the pendulum of support towards the Volunteers. The result was an overwhelming desire for full independence that won the heartfelt public support of the vast majority of the people." "In 1916: The Easter Rising, Tim Pat Coogan has written an account of the Rising by introducing the major players, themes and outcomes of a drama that would profoundly affect twentieth-century Irish history. The day-to-day events of the Rising detailed in this remarkable story are enhanced by well-chosen historic photographs, maps and documents of Dublin during those bloody six days. The result is not only an important history of a turning point in Ireland's struggle for freedom, but also a testament to the men and women of courage and conviction who were prepared to give their lives for what they believed was right."--BOOK JACKET.