I just finished reading Trinity over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2008. It was fantastic. I am voracious reader, but I have put off reading this book for 25 years, and now my regret is that I waited so long to read this book. I first came in contact with this book when I was in graduate school. One of my friends was reading it, and he encouraged me to read it. I checked it out at the library and read the first three chapters. I was hooked, but my graduate studies and work forced me to put the book on hold. Well, over the next 25 years after graduate school, I would wander over to the section in the library that shelved all of Uris' books. I would pickup Trinity, only to put it down again because of its length and it was only in soft cover. I wanted to read the hardcover copy because of the larger print. Of course, I was to cheap to buy a hard copy, but I finally gave in and purchased a soft cover. Over the next two weeks, I could not put Trinity down. It is a must read for all type of readers: lovers of romance, drama queens, mystery seekers, and history buffs.

This may be my all time favorite novel. The story of the Irish conflict from a historical perspective helped me grasp the enormity of the struggle that the people of Ireland have faced over the years, both Catholics and Protestants. I have always been confused by the strife that these two branches of Christianity have experienced in Ireland, but never had an answer. This book opened my eyes to see the poverty and wealth of each group. Not only did wealth play a part in the struggle, so did the Catholic priests and Protestant preachers. I abhored the way the priests kept the Irish people in ignorance and poverty, holding absolution over their heads, and I was equally disturbed by the hatred that the Protestant clergy preached to their congregations. This book has helped me understand the many injustices done by the religious leaders to the Irish, both to the Catholics and Protestants.

My advice is don't put this book off for 25 years like I did. Check it out at the library today or spend the dollars for a new copy, but get it and read it.