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Renaissance Nation

How the Pope's Children Rewrote the Rules for Ireland

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Renaissance Nation

By: David McWilliams
Narrated by: David McWilliams
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About this listen

In four decades, bookended by the Pope’s visits to Ireland in September 1979 and August 2018, Ireland has become one of the wealthiest and most progressive nations in the world, a bustling home to multinationals and start-ups, seemingly immune to the strains of radical populism sweeping the Western world. It’s a far cry from the dreary and stagnant nation of 40 years ago.

If we look at the data, but for the recent economic crash that should have but didn’t derail the country for decades, the Irish economy appears to have burst from the blocks in 1990 and kept on going. So how did we manage it? How did we go from economic embarrassment to avocado toast in the space of a generation? The answer, David McWilliams compellingly argues, isn’t to be found in the official records of government. Instead, this was a revolution from below, born of "a million little mutinies" in Irish society, a wholesale shift in the way normal people see and think about themselves.

Characteristically brilliant and timely, Renaissance Nation is a thrilling account of Ireland’s vertiginous rise and a timely exploration of its conflicted present, where stark decisions await the next generation of would-be revolutionaries.

©2018 Gill Books (P)2019 David McWilliams Business Development Business Development & Entrepreneurship Consumer Behavior & Market Research Economic History Economics Marketing & Sales Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Real Estate Society Sociology Theory Ireland Business Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
Factual and very entertaining account of how Ireland has changed in the last thirty years !

Facts and entertainment. Excellent.

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Articulate, considered insightful and humorous.
McWilliams is always a pleasure to read and listen to.

McWilliams for Teesh

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McWilliams brings a welcome note of positivity and optimism to his review of the past decade. Most economic and social commentary in the Irish media is fundamentally negative, obsessed with hospital trolleys and homelessness. These are important issues, but the relentless critical discussion obscures many interesting and positive developments. I commend McWilliams for some important ideas, well expressed in this book:
- the courage of entrepreneurs, and the need to celebrate their efforts
- the direct link between social liberalization and economic growth in Ireland
- the risk that the economic gains of the past 40 years will stall due to a self-preservation instinct among those who captured the benefits. We have seen this ‘pull the ladder up, Jack’ outcome in many successful growth economies (Japan, many EU countries), and it could happen in Ireland, unless we reignite the entrepreneurial spark in the next few generations.
- his observations about the need for deep thinking and new ideas on how Ireland’s inevitable reunification will play out. Fundamental constitutional, political, economic and social challenges lie ahead on this regard.

Overall, a worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in Ireland. My only real dislike is the author’s irritating habit of caricaturing and labeling different social groups, and stereotyping them in a condescending and smug manner. I don’t see how this amateur social anthropology adds to his arguments, and it undermines his gravitas as an economic commentator. No doubt he would respond by saying that I am a Testocrat, but for me these cartoonish portraits are self-serving and do not include the vast majority of the population. So why bother?

A thought-provoking interpretation of Ireland’s recent past

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I love this authors insight and view of the world. He connections things together that from the outset do not appear to have anything in common until you view them as inseparable.

MUST READ IF YOU WANT AN INSIGHT INTO IRELAND

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I have always found David to be extremely insightful and entertaining and this book did not disappoint.

very entertaining

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loved it loved it loved it and loved it. I couldn't stop listening and it was actually read by David. A1

loved it

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Clever, insightful, meaningful, simple. This book is an extension of his wonderful podcasts. Highly recommended listening. Not necessarily Irish biased, but globally.

Hits the nail on the head

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Enjoyed every minute of this audio book. A fascinating and hilarious listen. McWilliams' positive and proactive attitude towards Irish economics is refreshing and inspiring.

Highly Recommend

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Really enjoyed this book. As a Nordie it’s always useful to get a handle on the wider dynamics of the island beyond the orange and green that is normally the focus of NI. Interesting take on the dynamics and realities and a very entertaining style.

Entertaining and insightful listen!

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an interesting easy listening but challenging journey through modern Ireland economics threats challenges for further.

enlightened read on modern Ireland economics

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