Author: Dafydd Stephens

1Insurrection in Dublin

By James Stephens

The Easter Rising was a rebellion staged in Ireland in Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was an attempt by militant Irish republicans to win independence from Britain by force of arms. This account was written by Irish novelist James Stephens, who lived and worked in Dublin at the time. (Summary from Wikipedia and iremonger)

2There is a Tavern in the Town

By James Stephens

The soul of Irish wit is captured in this unique tale of a barstool philosopher, the concluding story from 'Here Are Ladies' by James Stephens. (Introduction by iremonger)

The year is 1838. The scene is the dense Honduran forest along the Copán River. Two men, John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood, are about to rediscover Mayan civilization. Their guide, slashing through the rampant growth with his machete, leads them to a structure with steps up the side, shaped like a pyramid. Next they see a stone column, fourteen feet high, sculptured on the front with a portrait of a man, “solemn, stern and well fitted to excite terror,” covered on the sides with hieroglyphics, and with workmanship “equal to the finest monuments of the Egyptians.” Stephens records these discoveries and also his travels in Central America, where he had been sent by President Van Buren as special ambassador to the ill-fated Republic of Central America. The republic being engulfed in civil war when Stephens arrives in Guatemala, he finds himself dodging revolutionary armies while he hunts for a “legitimate government” to which to present his credentials. Catherwood, meanwhile, directs his immense artistic talent to illustrating views of Mayan architecture. Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan was a best seller in its day and has been called an “Indiana Jones” saga by modern reviewers. (Summary by Sue Anderson)

The year is 1838. The scene is the dense Honduran forest along the Copán River. Two men, John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood, are about to rediscover Mayan civilization. Their guide, slashing through the rampant growth with his machete, leads them to a stone column, fourteen feet high, sculptured on the front with a portrait of a man, “solemn, stern and well fitted to excite terror,” covered on the sides with hieroglyphics, and with workmanship “equal to the finest monuments of the Egyptians.” Stephens records their discoveries and also his travels in Central America, while Catherwood directs his immense artistic talent to illustrating views of Mayan architecture. Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatán was a best seller in its day and has been called an “Indiana Jones” saga by modern reviewers. (Summary by Sue Anderson)

5Heroines Every Child Should Know

By Hamilton Wright Mabie and Kate Stephens

The companion volume to Heroes Every Child Should Know, this volume looks at 13 famous and heroic women from history. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

Collection of Irish Fairy Tales set in a wooded, Medieval Ireland filled with larger-than-life hunters, warriors, kings, and fairies - Summary by Anthony K. Futterer

W.R.W. Stephens, the Anglican Dean of Winchester, writes a short, lively biography of the great church reformer, Hildebrand of Sovana (1015-1085), afterwards Pope Gregory VII, setting his life within the larger context of the struggle for dominance between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The roots of the conflict can be traced to the alliance made between Pope Stephen II and his successors and the Frankish King Pippin and his son Charlemagne to break the power of the Lombard Kingdom in Italy. Later emperors sought first to reform and then to dominate the Papacy, but they finally met their match in Hildebrand, leading to the famous confrontation between Pope and Emperor on the snowy steps of Canossa Castle. Facing an imperial invasion, Pope Gregory took the fatal step of summoning his fierce Norman allies. They sacked and burned Rome and carried Hildebrand off to Salerno where, his body weak but his spirit unbowed, he breathed his last crying, "I have loved righteousness and hated iniquity--therefore I die in exile." After Hildebrand's death, his ally Duchess Matilda, the greatest power in northern Italy, continued the struggle with the tragic Emperor, Henry IV, over investiture and reform, a conflict which was only settled under his perfidious son, Henry V. (Pamela Nagami)

8Crock of Gold

By James Stephens

This is a comic novel written by Irish author James Stephens, a quick-witted storyteller whose pantheistic philosophy is revealed in his adult Irish fairy tales. His first novel, The Charwoman's Daughter (1911), humorously examines the life and fantasies of a poor Dublin mother and daughter. His second, The Crock of Gold (1913), again showcases his unique writing style, quirky thoughts, grasp of irony and cleverness of phrase. No conformity here, lots of head-scratching twists and turns that reveal odd bits of wisdom too! The main characters are an extremely pedantic Philosopher, his revengeful wife, their sweet innocent children lured down leprechaun holes, a teenage girl seduced by Pan (the god of lust and carefree living) then saved by Angus Og (the Irish god of youth, love and beauty), culminating in a giant parade of Irish gods. Stephen's serious philosophy is on display here and there, and we learn many useful tips for dealing with fairies, goblins and gods, especially that no good comes of stealing a leprechaun's crock of gold! ~Summary by Michele Fry

A humorous tale about a poor Irish charwoman living in the slums of Dublin, and her innocent teenage daughter, Mary Makebelieve, whose first forays into courtship and romance, and their desire to escape from drudgery -- provide us with a charming picture of youth's enthusiasm and a mother's devotion, amidst Dublin's many parks and shops. The chapters are filled with James Stephens' witty Irish observations on life, love, ignorance, the frustrations of the poor and the wishful thinking that sustains them . . . . told as jauntily as only a few authors can equal. ( ~ Michele Fry, Soloist)

10Mongan's Frenzy

By James Stephens

James Stephens is famous for his retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales. This tale is about 1.5 hours in length, full of magical lore and you will spend some considerable time in Faery. It is funny, quirky, fast paced, full of surprises, and sometimes sarcastic, as only James Stephens can be. Stephens also wrote several original novels (The Charwoman's Daughter, The Crock of Gold, Etched in Moonlight, Deirdra, Demi-Gods) also loosely based on Irish fairy tales. Enjoy! (Summary by Michele Fry, soloist; DPL Kitty, January 2022)

11Fifteen Acres

By James Stephens

LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of The Fifteen Acres by James Stephens.<br> This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for July 31, 2022.<br> -----<br> James Stephens was an Irish poet of considerable renown for wit and humor, who often observed the quirky side of things. In this case he considers what a little bird must busy himself with on a typical day, especially if he and the misses are expecting! I have no idea what "the fifteen acres" refers to, but here's a reader's chance to lay on a wee bit of Irish brogue. - Summary by Michele Fry

In this memorialized Irish tale, 3 huge winged demi-gods (part god/part human) have descended to earth to experience human existence. They encounter Patsy Mac Can and his daughter Mary at their campfire one evening, two vagabonds who wander about Ireland with donkey and cart, eating off the land, meeting a variety of dubious characters along the way, who in the great Irish tradition of storytelling, all have stories to tell. The Mac Cans welcome the strangers, feed them, show them around, along the way spinning yarns and explaining their gypsy "philosophies". Those familiar with Stephens's quirky writing style appreciate him as a quick witted, keen observer, seeing both the ridiculous and the sublime in everyday things, exploring the points of view of various animals and insects as well as the human characters. Eventually the troupe parts company, having forged close bonds of friendship. This is an entertaining adult love story that would not offend a child, read charmingly by authentic Irishman Joe Bergin. (Summary by Michele Fry)

Beautiful, playful young Deirdre, caught in the crosshairs of Ireland's wily, chauvinistic King Conachur, who desires to marry her after his own wife Maeve has escaped his clutches, is one of many prequels to the legend of “The Great Tain”, Ireland's national epic. Sometimes called "The Irish Iliad", this saga of war between rival Irish and Scottish kings, with its many characters, was preserved in oral tradition with many variations, until committed to writing in the Middle Ages. Stephens gives his own interpretation, insights and humor of the Deirdre story as he spins court intrigue, jealousy, subterfuge. Deirdre's innocence, training as a young lady of worth; her escape from Conachur, her love for her husband (murdered at the King's hand), and eventual suicide, are the stuff of Irish legend, riveting throughout, rivaling the romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. (Summary by Michele Fry) <br><br> List of characters:<br> Conachur mac Nessa - King of Ulster<br> Fergus mac Roy - King of Ulster before Conachur displaced him, married his mother Nessa and became Conachur's step father<br> Felemid - the storyteller<br> Deirdre - daughter of Felemid, raised by Laversham for Conachur<br> Nessa - daughter of Echaid Yellow-Heel, once King of Ulster, mother of Conachur, wife of Cathfa, then Fergus<br> Cathfa - Conachur's father, also poet/seer/magician; Nessa's husband until she left him for Fergus<br> Maeve - daughter of the High King of Ireland, unwilling wife of Conachur, who finally escapes and leaves him lonely, embarrassed and angry<br> Laversham - Conachur's "conversation woman" (confidant), his spy, and Deirdre's foster mother/groomer<br> Naoise - Deirdre's lover and husband, warrior in Conachur’s army, Uisneac's eldest son<br> Ainnle and Ardan - Naoise's younger brothers<br> Uisneac - father of Naoise (Deirdre's husband), Ainnle and Ardan<br> Bricriu - in charge of hospitality, also a poet and troublemaker<br> Fachtna the Mighty - in some legends the son of Og and Nessa's lover; possible father of Conachur, which would make Conachur half mortal/half God<br> Clothru - daughter of the High King of Ireland, wife of Conachur until killed by her sister Maeve<br> Buinne and Iollann, sons of Fergus mac Roy<br> <br> Definitions: featly = nimbly, gracefully<br> findriny = A precious metal often cited in early Irish manuscripts as having a value lower than gold or silver.<br> eric - tribute/penalty/punishment paid in reparation for murder or other major crimes.<br> geasa - obligations or prohibitions, vows, taboos or curses which, if violated, bring dishonor or even death. Conversely, the observing of a geas is empowering.<br>

14Pictorial History of the War for the Union, Volume 1

By Ann Stephens

Pictorial History of the War for the Union, Volume 1, is an indispensable read for any Civil War buff. Written during the Civil War, Ann Stephens had no concept of the war's conclusion or how long it would last. An ardent unionist, she writes a war history of the kind no longer in fashion - extirpating on the glories of battle and the valor of patriotic sacrifice. In our post-Red Badge of Courage world, this type of writing seems strange. In extreme detail, she recounts both the famous battles of the early war, as well as skirmishes forgotten today. The end of the text includes an excellent and helpful chronology putting major events of the Civil War in order. (Summary by Tatiana Chichilla)