Part One: That Time Britain Did A Genocide in Ireland

The book chronicles the Irish potato famine of the 1840s, one of the most appalling events of the Victorian era, which killed over a million people and drove many more to emigrate to America. Woodham-Smith highlights the British government's 'obtuseness, short-sightedness, and ignorance' and their stubborn commitment to laissez-faire policies, which exacerbated the disaster. The book also explores the long-term impact on Anglo-Irish relations and the foundation it laid for the Irish Independence movement. Woodham-Smith's account is vivid, disturbing, and combines great literary power with historical learning.

In 'The Famine Plot', Tim Pat Coogan presents a vivid account of the Irish Famine, highlighting how the British government's policies exacerbated the crisis. He argues that the famine was not just a natural disaster but a result of deliberate actions by the British, which led to massive starvation and emigration. The book explores themes of colonialism, laissez-faire economics, and the invocation of Divine Providence as excuses for inaction.

Theodore W. Allen's 'The Invention of the White Race' presents a comprehensive analysis of the origins of racial oppression in America. The work challenges the notion of 'whiteness' as a natural attribute, instead positing it as a social construct used by ruling classes to maintain power over working-class people of all colors. Volume 1 focuses on racial oppression and social control, while Volume 2 explores the origin of racial oppression in Anglo-America.