This is an important book. Smyth begins by setting out his three main themes: forging, colonialism and early modernity. There are then five chapters on ‘making the documents of conquest speak’ where maps and censuses are interrogated for what they say both of the process of colonialism and of its material, social and ideological consequences. Three regional case-studies follow, integrating these themes with the transformation of the economies and societies of Dublin, Kilkenny and Tipperary counties. In two subsequent thematic chapters, Smyth takes up the changing territoriality and linguistic geography of Ireland before concluding by examining the Irish contribution to the expansion of Europe overseas to North America. The book has important things to say about Ireland and implicitly about historical geography and Irish Studies. It is a magnificent achievement and Cork University Press has done its author proud with a generous allowance of maps and illustrations, over thirty in colour.