Showing results by author "Paul Byrne" in All Categories

A terrifically engaging and original biography about one of England’s greatest novelists, and the glamorous, eccentric, debauched and ultimately tragic family that provided him with the most significant friendships of his life and inspired his masterpiece, “Brideshead Revisited”. Evelyn...

English novelist Barbara Pym’s career was defined, in many senses, by rejection. Her first novel Some Tame Gazelle was turned down by every publisher she sent it out in 1935, finally published only 15 years later. Though she picked up a publisher from there and received modest praise, the publishing industry grew restless and her sales spiralled downwards. By her seventh novel, she had been dropped. This brilliant biography, brimming with Pym’s private diaries and intimate letters, offers a first full insight into Barbara Pym’s life and how it informed her writing.

The remarkable life of the vivacious, clever – and forgotten – Kennedy sister, who charmed the English aristocracy and was almost erased from her family history. The favourite child of Joe Kennedy and favourite sister of Jack, Kick Kennedy was spirited, vivacious and legendary for her charm...

IN 2017, TINA SATCHWELL VANISHED FROM HER COUNTY CORK HOME. HER HUSBAND RICHARD CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD TAKEN THEIR SAVINGS AND LEFT OF HER OWN ACCORD. But as questions mounted, suspicion grew. Why did her husband wait four days before reporting her missing? And would Tina have left behind her...

From the bestselling biographer and author of the book that inspired the BBC TV series – Jane Austen Rise of a Genius – comes a gorgeously escapist novel about the summer the greatest romance novelist fell in love ‘A glorious romantic retelling’ SUN ‘Delicious’ THE TIMES ‘The Jane...

A Book of the Year in The Times, Guardian, Independent, New Statesman, Bookseller and at Waterstones 'He understands only the women he invents – the others not at all' Thomas Hardy is one of the most beloved and most-read British authors. His influence on literature and the minds of his...

In the First World War of 1914-1918, thousands of boys across Australia and New Zealand lied about their age, forged a parent’s signature and left to fight on the other side of the world. Though some were as young as 13, they soon found they could die as well as any man. Like Peter Pan’s lost boys, they have remained forever young. These are their stories. This extraordinary book captures the incredible and previously untold stories of 40 Anzac boys who fought in the First World War, from Gallipoli to the Armistice.

Sex, fame and scandal in the theatrical, literary and social circles of late-eighteenth-century England. One of the most flamboyant women of the late-eighteenth century, Mary Robinson's life was marked by reversals of fortune. After being raised by a middle-class father, Mary was married, at age...

'I relished every page … This is the best book on Jane Austen I have ever read’ Spectator 'Compelling … a delightful and engrossing book … Byrne’s passion is nothing if not persuasive’ Sunday Times Was Jane Austen a woman of prim manners and genteel calm? Or someone who behaved...

The inspiration behind the powerful new film starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson, this is the story of Dido Belle, whose adoption by an aristocratic family challenged the conventions of 18th century England. In one of the most famous portraits in the world, a pretty girl...

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘It is good to meet the real Jane Austen at last’ Independent on Sunday 'Brilliantly illuminating … by focusing, chapter by chapter, on one thread or another of Austen’s experience, Byrne allows us to grasp the richness of her inner life’ Guardian Who was...

A debut novel by a bestselling non-fiction author, this is a witty, wholly entrancing story of the pleasures, pains and obsessions of contemporary life. Lisa Blaize – teacher, and would-be fashion writer, mother and second wife – feels out of place when her high-flying husband becomes the...

Advanced Tax Lecturer from Griffith College, Paula Byrne helping students pass their Irish professional accountancy tax exams. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is intended as an exam revision guide only. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in this podcast, Paula Byrne does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions howsoever arising. Email paula@paulabyrne.ie. #Irish tax

She is the most beautiful woman in the world. Discovered in a Berlin cabaret in the roaring 20s, she is brought to the glamour of LA. She becomes a superstar of the silver screen and Hollywood’s darling, but nothing perfect lasts forever. The cost of beauty is always high, for those who have it and those who live in its shadow. The weight falls on her daughter to untangle the complicated truths of being ordinary beside an extraordinary mother, a woman who has skewed her perception of reality, a woman adored by the world, but from whom her daughter longs to escape. 

Join one of Ireland's greatest ever sports presenters Michael Lyster alongside two of GAA's finest pundits, Tomás Mulcahy and Martin Carney, for the very best in GAA chat & analysis. Tomás Mulcahy is a hugely popular GAA analyst in this country, having worked on 'The Sunday Game' for over 20 years and is also an All-Ireland Senior Hurling winning captain with Cork. While playing, he won 3 All-Ireland medals with his native county, including captaining his side to glory in 1990. He's also an All-Star Award winner. Martin Carney, a former inter-county footballer for Donegal and Mayo, is a ...

Paul Byrne was a Scotland Yard Detective. Dive in as he guides you through the story of the British Police via the prism of comedy. Desperately original and hilariously bizarre, this show really does rip open the back doors of the police service!