The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero by

In the New York Times bestseller The Immortal Irishman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Timothy Egan illuminates the dawn of the great Irish American story, with all its twists and triumphs, through the life of one heroic man. A dashing young orator during the Great Hunger of the 1840s, Thomas Francis Meagher led a failed uprising against British rule, for which he was banished to a Tasmanian prison colony for life. But two years later he was “back from the dead” and in New York, instantly the most famous Irishman in America. Meagher’s rebirth included his leading the newly formed Irish Brigade in many of the fiercest battles of the Civil War. Afterward, he tried to build a new Ireland in the wild west of Montana — a quixotic adventure that ended in the great mystery of his disappearance, which Egan resolves convincingly at last. “This is marvelous stuff. Thomas F. Meagher strides onto Egan's beautifully wrought pages just as he lived — powerfully larger than life. A fascinating account of an extraordinary life.”—Daniel James Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Facing the Mountain

Reviews

Montana Historical Society Store · 2025-09-03

epic 4.20

The book is praised for vividly telling the improbable and epic life of Thomas Francis Meagher, highlighting his transformation from Irish revolutionary to American Civil War hero and Montana governor. It brings fresh evidence and a colorful narrative to Meagher’s mysterious death.

The reviewer appreciates Timothy Egan’s storytelling, which captures the sweeping Irish-American story through the life of Meagher, a charismatic and resilient figure who embodies the era’s complexities. They highlight the dramatic arc of Meagher’s life, from his exile and escape to leadership in the Civil War and his frontier governance, emphasizing the book’s ability to bring history alive with rich detail and new insights, especially regarding the enigmatic circumstances of Meagher’s death. The narrative’s epic scope and personal focus make it a compelling read for those interested in Irish-American history and 19th-century American frontier life.

Quick quotes

The Irish-American story, with all its twists and triumphs, is told through the improbable life of one man.

His death has long been a mystery to which Egan brings haunting, colorful new evidence.

Meagher’s dream was that Irish-American troops, seasoned by war, would return to Ireland and liberate their homeland from British rule.

SuperSummary · 2025-09-03

thoughtful 4.00

The narrative skillfully balances historical facts with storytelling, portraying Meagher as a complex figure shaped by colonial oppression and immigrant struggles. The book highlights themes of identity, justice, and leadership through Meagher's life journey.

This review emphasizes the book's accessible writing style and its effective use of a third-person perspective that provides a broad and deep look into Meagher's life. It draws attention to the diverse settings that frame Meagher’s story, from colonial Ireland to the American Civil War battlefields and the Montana frontier, enriching the narrative with socio-political context. The reviewer admires how Egan explores significant themes like colonialism, national identity, and the immigrant experience, showing Meagher's evolution from a revolutionary to a Union army leader and territorial governor. The account also captures the ambiguities of Meagher’s character, marked by valor and controversy, making the biography a nuanced examination of historical leadership and legacy.

Quick quotes

Egan employs a narrative technique that blends historical fact with storytelling, offering a third-person perspective that seeks to provide both breadth and depth to Meagher’s life story.

Meagher's story reflects the struggle against oppression, the quest for justice, and the complexities of leadership and legacy.

Throughout the book, Egan explores themes such as the impact of colonialism, the struggle for national identity, and the Irish immigrant experience.

Goodreads · 2025-09-03

engaging 4.25

The book offers a compelling blend of historical depth and novelistic storytelling, portraying an imperfect yet principled protagonist who never shies from his beliefs and fights. While some prose can be flowery and historical citations sparse, the overall narrative is exceptional and engaging.

The reviewer appreciates Timothy Egan's ability to transform a detailed historical account into a captivating narrative that reads like a well-crafted novel. They highlight the complex character of Thomas Francis Meagher, focusing on his unwavering commitment to his principles despite personal struggles such as alcoholism and financial difficulties later in life. Although the prose sometimes becomes overly ornate and there are minor historical inaccuracies, the work is praised for its richness and emotional depth. The story also brings out the broader Irish-American experience and the challenges Meagher faced in his public service, culminating in a compelling and tragic end that challenges conventional accounts of his death.

Quick quotes

As Egan tells his story we see an imperfect protagonist, but one who never backed away from a fight and never turned away from his core principles.

THE IMMORTAL IRISHMAN is an exceptional work of history, even though at times Egan’s prose can become somewhat flowery, a need for more specific citations, and a few minor historical errors.

Overall, the work of Timothy Egan is exceptional, as he turns a sound historical work into something that reads like a well thought out novel.

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