Armed Struggle: A History of the IRA [Hardcover]

This is by far one of the best books that I have read on The Troubles. English, an Irish Protestant raised in England, doesn't just write a 'history' of the events of those years, but he also writes the book in a political and philosophical way as well.

English says at the beginning of his book that he "wants to fill in the holes that other books fail to do." And English does this well. When talking about the birth of the Provos, he doesn't just say that the split between the Provos and Stickies was because of political differences or the need to increase violence. He talks about how different events, from the Battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday, and the need for someone to protect the Catholic community, merges together to not only form the Provos, but destroy any faith that Catholics had in the Unionist government. He doesn't just do, as I said previously, give a list of the history of the Troubles, but he has really done research on the subject. He is also one of the only writers on the subject that give logical reasoning into why things happen (due to his extensive research). He doesn't give a black and white answer to everything like other writers do, but always blends a combination of events that makes the reader think that there is more than just the average answer.

He also talks about the start of the IRA and the early history of the conflict (from 1916 to the 1960s). He does this in great detail (almost too much detail).

There were only two things about the book that I didn't like. First was that he really didn't talk about the Official, Continuity or the Real IRA that much. I feel most book fail to talk about these organizations more in depth. I know there isn't too much anyone can say about these organizations (esp. CIRA and RIRA). Most books on the IRA talk about the Provos, and thus their title should state that. I was wanting to know more about the Real and Official IRA, but was disappointed. The best book I have read about the Official IRA is, oddly enough, "The Provisional IRA", but Patrick Bishop.

Second, English uses a lot of what I would call 'text soundbites'. He uses a lot of one line quotes from prominate people involved in The Troubles. Though some of the quotes make his argument stronger, sometimes I wonder why he even put in a quote at all (meaning that his argument was already strong). I think the book could have been 50 pages lighter if he took out the quotes that I think shouldn't have been in there.

Overall, it was a really good book (even with these minor flaws). This is the book you want to read if you want a "deeper understanding" of The Troubles. I think English wrote this book for people who already know about The Troubles. If you are wanting to learn about The Troubles and have never studied it before, this might not be the best book to start with, it might overwhelm you. If you are a beginner, the first part of the book (from 1916 to 1969) would not overwhelm you and would be benefitial to read, as it gives an extremely good, non-complicated look into early Irish Republicanism. But the rest of the book (from the birth of the Provos on) deals with alot of thought and theories, which might be too much.

But for those who have been studying and reading about The Troubles for a while, this is a perfect book to tie loose ends.

This is a substantial, dense, and very objective book which helps to understand of Irish conflict. Having been born in Belfast Richard English approaches the IRA with simple assumptions and provides complex details. He ties major events in the PIRA history with the organization's philosophies and objectives. He argues for both sides Nationalist and Unionist as well as IRA's own justifications for its war against Britain supporting through extensive research. Drawing on the books, articles, TV broadcasts, newspapers, interviews, he provides Northern Ireland recent history and IRA's ideology from beginning of 1900's to the current century.

I just finished the book Armed Struggle by Richard English. I have come to love this book, a very well written and detailed account of the I.R.A. from start to the Peace Agreement. While the later of the book mainly details the Provos its still a great book. He is non biased in his writing and exactly what i was looking for. I highly recomend this book to anyone interested in the i.r.a. and its history and motivations through out its inception.