Parnell was known to be reticent and a "skilled manipulator of the creative potential of ambiguity." These aspects of the Irish politician's personality attract attention, and cause historians to look harder and to dig deeper into his background than that of other statesmen. These eleven essays look into what Parnell said and did for himself, however quietly, as well as for the nation, including such topics as his attitude toward the meaning of home rule, his relationship with Gladstone, the activities of his wife, Anna Parnell in national myth, his views on religion, his dealings with the press, his experimentation with the concept of United Ireland, his defense of the Drink Interest, his sojourns in Paris, his involvement in sexual scandal, his preparation and delivery of the Ne Plus Ultra speech, and the context, content, and consequences of his "To the People of eland" speech of 29 November 1890. Distributed by Dufour. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)