Marking the centenary of Ireland's - and possibly the world's - most famous novel, this joyful introductory guide opens up Ulysses a whole new readership, offering insight into the literary, historical and cultural elements at play in James Joyce's greatest work.

Daniel Mulhall was born in Waterford. He has spent more than forty years in the Irish diplomatic service, and is currently Ireland's ambassador to the United States, having previously served as ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, Berlin, and London. In 1998 he was part of the Irish Government's delegation at the negotiations that produced the Good Friday Agreement. Over the years, he has written and lectured extensively on Irish literature, including the writings of James Joyce. Throughout his diplomatic career, he has drawn on literature to help tell Ireland's story internationally, and has worked tirelessly to increase the impact and reach of Irish writing around the world. He is President of the Yeats Society, Sligo. Married to Greta, they have two children.