A timely work of major historical importance, examining the whole spectrum of events from the 1916 Easter Rising to the current and ongoing peace process, fully updated with a new afterword for the paperback edition.
`An essential book .
closely-reasoned, formidably intelligent and utterly compelling .
required reading across the political spectrum .
important and riveting' Roy Foster, The Times `An outstanding new book on the IRA .
a calm, rational but in the end devastating deconstruction of the IRA' Henry McDonald, Observer `Superb .
the first full history of the IRA and the best overall account of the organization.
English writes to the highest scholarly standards .
Moreover, he writes with the common reader in mind: he has crafted a fine balance of detail and analysis and his prose is clear, fresh and jargon-free .
sets a new standard for debate on republicanism' Peter Hart, Irish Times 'The one book I recommend for anyone trying to understand the craziness and complexity of the Northern Ireland tragedy.
' Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes.