Based on personal memories of his life in Ireland and Scotland in the early 1900s, this was Patrick MacGill's first novel. It tells the story of Dermod Flynn an independent and feisty youth who earns a meagre living as an itinerant farm hand in Donegal and County Tyrone before coming to Scotland with a potato-picking squad. After living on the road, labouring and navvying, Dermod finds work on the hydro-electric scheme at Kinlochleven –an extraordinarily brutal and unforgiving environment ...

"The Rat-Pit" is a novel set in the context of early 20th-century Britain, focusing on the lives of workers and the harsh realities of labor conditions. The story is notable for its social realism and its portrayal of the struggles faced by the working class.The novel follows the experiences of individuals working in difficult and often dangerous conditions, highlighting the exploitation and adversity they encounter. Through its characters, "The Rat-Pit" explores themes of social injustice...

Patrick MacGill enlisted with the London Irish Rifles in 1915 and The Great Push is the resultant work, written during the Battle of Loos. This story recounts the fear, resilience, humour, and fatalism of those who fought at the raw edge of one of the most terrifying wars ever to have been waged.A classic of war literature, The Great Push is a passionate and compelling book which describes the fear, resilience, humour and fatalism of those who fought in the raw edge of one of t...

In "The Diggers: The Australians in France," Patrick MacGill delivers a poignant and vivid account of Australian soldiers' experiences during World War I, particularly in the trenches of France. MacGill's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and unflinching realism, capturing the camaraderie and harrowing struggles of the Australian troops. Set against the backdrop of the profound disillusionment of war, the book serves as both a historical document and a literary exploration of t...

Moleskin Joe is one of the most memorable characters to appear in Patrick MacGill's first two books, Children of the Dead End and The Rat-Pit. This sequel, first published in 1923, recalls the tramps and navvies MacGill encountered during his time on the road in Scotland and the north of England in the early years of the twentieth century. It centres around the adventures of Moleskin Joe, with his philosophy of 'there's a good time comin', although we may never live to se...

"Children of the Dead End: The Autobiography of an Irish Navvy" by Patrick MacGill. Published by e-artnow. e-artnow publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each e-artnow edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are...

"The Red Horizon" by Patrick MacGill is a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of human experience during tumultuous times. The story unfolds against a backdrop of war, exploring themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the quest for identity. MacGill's vivid prose paints a stark picture of the struggles faced by individuals caught in the chaos, highlighting their emotional journeys and the impact of conflict on their lives. The characters are richly developed, each represent...

In "Children of the Dead End: The Autobiography of an Irish Navvy," Patrick MacGill offers a poignant and gritty portrayal of the life of Irish laborers in the early 20th century. Engagingly written with raw honesty, MacGill's narrative interlaces personal anecdotes and vivid descriptions of the harrowing conditions faced by navvies working on the construction of British railways. The literary style is marked by a stark realism reminiscent of the Naturalist movement, providing a critical l...

"The Diggers: The Australians in France" by Patrick MacGill is a poignant exploration of the experiences of Australian soldiers during World War I. Through vivid storytelling and rich descriptions, MacGill captures the camaraderie, bravery, and hardships faced by these men as they fought on foreign soil. The narrative delves into the psychological and physical toll of war, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit amidst the chaos of battle. MacGill's firsthand accounts and observati...

In 'The Rat-Pit,' Patrick MacGill presents a gritty exploration of the lives of itinerant workers in early 20th century Ireland, depicting the harsh realities of poverty and social displacement. With a naturalistic literary style, MacGill intricately weaves vivid characterizations and stark imagery, immersing the reader in the struggles of his protagonists against the backdrop of a rapidly industrializing society. The narrative exposes the dehumanizing conditions faced by laborers, while s...

"Children of the Dead End" is an autobiographical account of Patrick MacGill's experiences as a navvy (a manual laborer involved in railway and road construction) in early 20th-century Britain. The book offers a stark and honest portrayal of the harsh realities faced by laborers during this period.The narrative follows MacGill's life and work as he travels across Britain, taking on various jobs in the construction industry. It describes the grueling physical labor, the poor working conditi...

It was night in the dead of winter, and we sat around the fire that burned in red and blue flames on the wide open hearth. The blue flames were a sign of storm. The snow was white on the ground that stretched away from the door of my father's house, down the dip of the brae and over the hill that rose on the other side of the glen. I had just been standing out by the little hillock that rose near the corner of the home gable-end, watching the glen people place their lamps in the window cor...