- Paperback: 300 pages
- Publisher: New Island Books (1 Feb 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1904301673
- ISBN-13: 978-1904301677
- Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 13.8 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 244,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I urge you to suspend judgement & read this lucid and honest account of the events that took place inside the H-Blocks. The author tells his story with wry humour starting with how he ended up inside after a bodged up bank robbery for the IRA. He explains the events that led to the dirty protest - where prisoners smeared excrement over their cell walls - and on ultimately to the hunger strike.
He tells of the pressure he felt seeing his mates slowly starving themselves to death to uphold their principles and the fight for their right to political status. Fresh insights are given into the machinations of the republican leadership for which the author is refreshingly open and critical.
O'Rawes book shines with a masculine humanity and camaradarie, without a trace of self pity, that cannot be beaten even in the most desperate of circumstances.
By any standards this is a well written and important memoir.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To get the chance to read the inside story of the hunger strikers in H-Block is definitely fascinating. Down to the last detail of their banter, their despair, the interaction between the prisoners, and the difficult situation of explaining their motives to even close relatives - it's all there in this fascinating account.
However, O'Rawe also raises the controversial subject of whether the hunger strike could possibly have been brought to an earlier end if the Army Council had been preapred to do so. This difficult issue has been extensively discussed, and many people, most notably Danny Morrison, have contradicted O'Rawe's assessment.
Of course, the "common reader" will not be able to decide where the truth ultimately lies. One thing is for sure, though, O'Rawe's account is honest, direct and - by raising that most difficult issue - deeply disturbing.
However, O'Rawe also raises the controversial subject of whether the hunger strike could possibly have been brought to an earlier end if the Army Council had been preapred to do so. This difficult issue has been extensively discussed, and many people, most notably Danny Morrison, have contradicted O'Rawe's assessment.
Of course, the "common reader" will not be able to decide where the truth ultimately lies. One thing is for sure, though, O'Rawe's account is honest, direct and - by raising that most difficult issue - deeply disturbing.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read Sam Millar's, brilliant memoir, On The Brinks and his Kare Kane novels, and loved them. So when I heard him recommending this book, I went straight out and bought it. Intriguing, sad and totally fascinating, I couldn't put it down, despite being ignorant to Irish politics. O'Rawe has a way with words, making you read on, wondering just what the hell is going to happen next. A lovely book worthy of anyone's book shelf.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
an insight into a dark period in irish history
first of all i would say that richard o`rawe has made a very brave decision to tell the truth about a a period of time that still remains a republican cornerstone in the recent... Read more
Published 4 months ago by brownie
Excellent read
Similar to one other reviewer (Cormac Mac) I bought this book on crime writer, Sam Millar's recommendation. It is an intriguing book, even though I am not into political history. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Crime Lover
Irish Republicanism Since 1981
This is one of the best books to be written about the 1981 Hunger Strikes and the after effects that we are beginning to feel only now, almost 30 years later. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Irish Historian
Excellent read
Not as personal or as powerful as Sam Millar's On The Brinks, but boy I loved this book. Couldn't put it down, and have re-read it twice. A terrific read.
Published on 29 Mar 2010 by Noir Fan
Excellent Read - Recommended
Together with Before the Dawn and Cage 11 The Blanket Men is equally as compulsive.
It gave me the understanding of what went on in relation to to the hunger strikers as... Read more
It gave me the understanding of what went on in relation to to the hunger strikers as... Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2009 by Mrs. M. A. Phelan
Blanketmen and Hunger Strikers: the naked truth.
I never cease to be amazed at the quality of text produced by those who have in the past been branded as 'mindless criminals' by the British State. Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2005 by "beany1888"
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