'Ways out' of Ireland's current economic malaise often include 'We need another Lemass', Seán Lemass (1899-1971) enjoys unrivalled acclaim as the 'Architect of Modern Ireland', to Fianna Fáil he is a modern icon. While highlighting the use and abuse of the Lemass legend, The Other Lemass shows phenomena such as cronyism, tribunals and jobs for the boys are not exclusive to recent political leaders.

This groundbreaking study asks questions previously skirted around: How did Lemass achieve such power within Fianna Fáil and the Irish State? How much did he owe to the 'martyr' status of his murdered older brother? Did he use his economic powers wisely? How deep did his relationship with bishops and businessmen run? How did Lemass view writers, artists and women?

What emerges is the real Seán Lemass: an authoritarian, cunning, workaholic patriot; a shrewd political tactician whose impatience lay not just with the old Ireland, but with democracy itself; whose achievements owe a debt of gratitude to more people than T.K. Whitaker.

This is the untold story of a great man and his lasting impact on a nation's imagination.