Inventing Masks Agency and History in the Art of the Central Pende Book

There are some (audio)books that grab you by the lapels and shout in your face demanding you pay attention because you life depends on every word. This book was more like a friend across a crowded room mouthing "let's go" while you have your back to them.

As I finished the book, I realized I knew nothing about the history of Ireland except:
1. The English were terrible people to the Irish.
2. The Irish were really really really poor.
3. The Irish were really really hungry for a time.
4. Some Irish people wore different colored shirts.

This was nothing like Johnson's History of the American People in which Johnson was enthusiastic about his topic. This felt more like a really long encyclopedia entry on Irish history. It lacked depth, and it lacked a human connection to the people. In Johnson's American history, he made it clear that robber barons were cool and Kennedy was the worst choice for president. But the tone of this book was so neutral that the whole thing came off as flat and uninteresting.

I do not recommend.