Cormac Ó Gráda Books

Famine remains one of the worst calamities that can befall a society. Mass starvation - whether it is inflicted by drought or engineered by misguided or genocidal economic policies - devastates families, weakens the social fabric, and undermines political stability. This title traces the history of famine from the earliest records to today.

The book explores the Great Irish Famine, focusing on its devastating impact as the most lethal natural disaster in nineteenth-century Europe. It details how the potato, once a vital food source that fueled rapid population growth, became a harbinger of death due to the blight phytophthora infestans. The narrative highlights the peak of suffering in Black '47, while also illustrating the extended period of misery and increased mortality that ensued in Ireland. Through vivid descriptions, it delves into the historical significance and consequences of this tragedy.