Reviews

Heiress, Rebel, Vigilante, Bomber: The Extraordinary Life of Rose Dugdale by Sean O'Driscoll

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iarlais's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative inspiring tense slow-paced

4.25

What a whirlwind of a life.

O'Driscoll took me on a journey of Rose Dugdale's life, and never once did I want to turn back. He expertly documents her string of attacks, be they on Oxford-based patriarchy, on poverty, on capitalism, on British army barracks, and on Dublin-based drug dealers. He proves that this was an excellent topic to research based off her life story alone, but he elevates it slightly by including his own interactions with Rose and her associates that help you feel you're in the room with them. A very interesting technique in a biography that I haven't seen.

Easily the best biography I've read so far, by the way.

dawnthoma100's review

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

An intriguing life story of Rose Dugdale, the IRA bomber who made international headlines in the 1970s. Her life roles are summed up in the book's title, but it leaves out her relationships with her son, parents, siblings, friends, and lovers as well as her early years and college years, as well as her conviction that people who are oppressed or live in poverty should actively support one another.
The book is beautifully written, thoroughly researched, and put together. The study of an incredible woman is fascinating and not at all difficult to read. Reading it was incredibly enjoyable.