The Boston Irish A Political History Author:Thomas H. O'Connor According to Thomas O'Connor, Irish political dominance in Boston grew out of generations of unyielding conflict between New England Yankees and Irish Catholic immigrants. O'Connor charts the course of the Irish's growing influence in Boston against the background of this clash of cultures. Along the way he introduces the reader to Boston's poli... more »tical elite: James Michael Curley, the Fitzgeralds, the Kennedys and many other colorful characters. The book includes 30 photographs.« less