Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia presents the multiple facets of life in Ireland before and after the Anglo- Norman invasion of 1169, from the sixth to the sixteenth century. It provides reliable, scholarly information for the student, scholar, or general reader who wishes to learn more about this vivid period of history. The medieval period in Ireland was rich in culture, and Medieval Ireland provides information on such facets as architecture, art, craftsmanship, language, mythology, and religion. Further, many public figures of this time period in Ireland— ranging from kings to saints to poets—are portrayed throughout the text. The common life of the medieval Irish is covered in such topics as agriculture, coinage, law, clothing, villages, and games. Giving context to these subjects are the many outside influences that affected Irish civilization at this time. The Viking and Anglo-Norman invasions are discussed, as are the literary and cultural influences of many European countries. Thus the work is useful to people studying related topics, including Anglo-Saxon England, Carolingian Gaul, Norman England, and Viking-Age Scandinavia.

The Geography of Ethnic Violence is the first among numerous distinguished books on ethnic violence to clarify the vital role of territory in explaining such conflict. Monica Toft introduces and tests a theory of ethnic violence, one that provides a compelling general explanation of not only most ethnic violence, civil wars, and terrorism but many interstate wars as well. This understanding can foster new policy initiatives with real potential to make ethnic violence either less likely or less destructive. It can also guide policymakers to solutions that endure. The book offers a distinctively powerful synthesis of comparative politics and international relations theories, as well as a striking blend of statistical and historical case study methodologies. By skillfully combining a statistical analysis of a large number of ethnic conflicts with a focused comparison of historical cases of ethnic violence and nonviolence--including four major conflicts in the former Soviet Union--it achieves a rare balance of general applicability and deep insight. Toft concludes that only by understanding how legitimacy and power interact can we hope to learn why some ethnic conflicts turn violent while others do not. Concentrated groups defending a self-defined homeland often fight to the death, while dispersed or urbanized groups almost never risk violence to redress their grievances. Clearly written and rigorously documented, this book represents a major contribution to an ongoing debate that spans a range of disciplines including international relations, comparative politics, sociology, and history.