Today, Galway is home to over 250,000 people and plays host to over a million tourists per year, who come from all over the world to admire and learn about the culture and history of this beautiful county. Galway has not always been so tranquil, however, and The Little History of Galway takes a look at the struggles of the county's people across the centuries, from the arrival of Stone Age man through the coming of the Normans and their conquest of the city, to Galway's eventual battle for independence. Examining pivotal moments such as the siege of Galway by the feared Oliver Cromwell, the Penal Laws and the Famine, Colm Wallace also explores the writers, artists and thinkers that have called the area home, as well as the local people who have worked hard over generations to make Galway the welcoming place that it is today.

Irish literature's roots have been traced to the 7th-9th century. This is a rich and hardy literature starting with descriptions of the brave deeds of kings, saints and other heroes. These were followed by generous veins of religious, historical, genealogical, scientific and other works. The development of prose, poetry and drama raced along with the times. Modern, well-known Irish writers include: William Yeats, James Joyce, Sean Casey, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, John Synge and Samuel Beckett.

Provide your mystery fans with background information on their favorite writers and series characters, and use this as a guide for adding contemporary titles to your collections. This book examines 100 of today's top mystery novels and mystery authors hailing from countries such as the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, South Africa, and Australia. Equally valuable to students writing research papers, readers craving new authors or more information about their favorite authors, and teachers seeking specific types of fiction to support curricula, 100 Most Popular Contemporary Mystery Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies provides revealing information about today's best mysteries and authors—without any "spoilers." Each of the accomplished writers included in this guide has established a broad audience and is recognized for work that is imaginative and innovative. The rising stars of 21st century mystery will also be included, as will authors who have won the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award.