The Sacred Egoism of Sinn Féin

"The Sacred Egoism of Sinn Féin" by Ernest Augustus Boyd is a historical exploration of the Sinn Féin movement, written in the wake of World War I. It examines the group's political ideas and activities as they fought for Ireland to be independent from British control. Focusing on national identity, the right to self-govern, and the complicated relationships between countries, the author sheds light on Ireland's battle for freedom. Boyd describes the feelings of the Irish people toward British rule, along with their disappointment in what they thought would be promises of independence after the war. He claims that concepts like democracy often failed against powerful empires, which resulted in a strong sense of national pride within Sinn Féin. The book follows the path of Irish nationalism and the important events, like the Easter Rising of 1916, that strengthened Sinn Féin's opposition to British rule, ultimately arguing that Ireland's push for independence was its way of asserting its national identity.