‘This is an important and timely book. Professor Crossman’s analysis is empathetic, robust and engaging. It sheds important light on the nature of the Poor Law from a variety of perspectives and this is to be welcomed'. Irish Studies Review Reviews'A fresh, stimulating and important new work of Irish social and economic history of the late nineteenth and early ... Read moretwentieth century.' English Historical Review 'Whereas much of the existing historiography of the workings of the Poor Law confined itself to case studies of individual unions or counties, excepting a small number of comparative studies, a key strength of Crossman’s work is the extent of analysis of Poor Law records, from the immediate post- Famine period to the achievement of independence.' Ciarán McCabe, Family & Community History 'This important book offers a true reappraisal, a more accurate, warts and all, picture of the Irish workhouse than the one previously held.' Eoin Magennis, Cercles Show Less