I wrote The Shortest History of England (2020) and The Shortest History of Germany (2017) and both werebest-sellerss. So why, demanded my Irish friends, why the hell throw yourself the ultimate hospital pass? They began going Irish almost as soon as they got here. It was my absolute last chance: I applied, got shortlisted, told my Irish friends I was coming over again, and was naturally offered a bed. The Shortest History of Ireland by James Hawes is published by Old Street Publishing

Source: The Irish Times March 14, 2026 07:31 UTC