Building a New City: Cork's Public Works, 1920-1945 is a compelling historical account of Cork City's extraordinary journey from devastation to reconstruction in the wake of the 1920 Burning of Cork. Tracing the city's public works efforts across a quarter-century of political upheaval, economic hardship, and war, this book explores how municipal resilience and civic ambition reshaped Cork's urban landscape.

From the ashes of reprisals to the complexities of Irish Free State self-governance, authoritatively detailed chapters chart the dissolution of Cork Corporation, the appointment of City Commissioner Philip Monahan, and the eventual restoration of local democracy. Through extensive archival sources, the narrative weaves together political strife, housing crises, infrastructural development, and wartime austerity.

This is not a triumphalist tale but a nuanced exploration of civic struggle and survival. Richly documented and thoughtfully presented, it captures the human and institutional efforts behind the making of modern Cork City. A vital read for anyone interested in Irish history, urban planning, or the legacy of city reconstruction.