I just finished reading "In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex" and am currently into "The Irish Republic", a comprehensive history of the struggle for Irish Independence up to and including Collins, DeValera and the beginnings of the IRA. The book on the Essex was a fascinating read and really eye-opening as to the circumstances and events that made whaling not only a lucrative and dangerous business but also a prime and fertile ground for folk tales and songs. I highly recommend it.
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