Out of Print
09 2016 Tones that are Tender

Tones That Are Tender

Percy French 1854-1920

By: Berrie O’Neill

Publication Date: 29 May 2016

(2 customer reviews)

30.00

Outstandingly researched and richly illustrated, this biography of Percy French gives a new and fascinating insight into the life of one who is already acknowledged to have brought laughter and enjoyment to so many people as civil engineer, journalist, author, poet, parodist, artist, songwriter and entertainer.

This will be the closest to a definitive biography yet attempted, using primary sources and examining the man in the context of all his output.

Published in association with The Percy French Society.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Berrie O’Neill was born in 1930 on a farm near Eyrecourt, Co. Galway. He enjoyed a long career with the Bank of Ireland in Dublin and Belfast during which time he served a term as president of the Irish Association for Cultural, Economic, and Social Relations. He is now president of the Percy French Society in North Down, and lives in Belfast with his wife Gladys.

‘A new illustrated biography of the great Irish songwriter, poet, parodist, artist and entertainer has just been published. Written by Barrie ONeill, this very comprehensive life-story is a ‘must have’ for those with an interest in Irish literature, social history and, of course, Percy French.’ – IRELAND’S OWN

‘The author successfully explores the ancestry and full family background of one who is often described in simplified terms as a Protestant son of an Irish landlord or sometimes, on the other hand, as Renaissance man.’ THE JARVEY

 

Out of stock

2 reviews for Tones That Are Tender

  1. Lilliput Press

    “Interesting biography of his life and music”

  2. Lilliput Press

    “Written as a labour of love for the Percy French Society this richly and colourfully illustrated biography of Percy French brings a renewed focus on the life of the great Irish songwriter, poet, parodist, artist and entertainer. A sense of the value of social history and a growing belief that Percy French was undervalued in the fullness of his overall cultural legacy were also motivating factors for the author.

    The author successfully explores the ancestry and full family background of one who is often described in simplified terms as a Protestant son of an Irish landlord or sometimes, on the other hand, as Renaissance man.

    The title, ‘Tones that are Tender’, reflects perfectly not only French’s innocuous, charismatic personality but also the nature of his watercolours with their generally gentle shades. Moreover, his writings infused with acute observation, reflection and humour, were never hurtful or offensive.

    We are unobtrusively enlightened about the social history of French’s time and the reader will surely be impressed by the in depth knowledge we gain of French as a person and we are made aware, among other things, of his likes and dislikes, his eccentricities, deep love of family, sense of humour, financial concerns, but especially what a kindly, unselfish individual he was.

    The book is attractively presented with the author’s copious use of well-chosen colourful illustrations and appropriate quotations evidencing the muti-talents of this underestimated Irish figure. A very comprehensive life story it is a ‘must have’ for those with an interest in Irish literature, social history and of course, Percy French.”
    (A review from the Newsletter of the Percy French Society)

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ISBN
9781843516675
Weight 1 kg
Versions

Signed, Unsigned

Publication Date

29 May 2016

Binding

Hardback

Page Count

89pp

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