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Book Description
'Makes Cold War duplicity a la Deighton and Le Carre seem positively endearing' Guardian
Product Description
1969 was a year of rising tension, violence and change for the people of Northern Ireland. Rioting in Derry's Bogside led to the deployment of British troops and a shortlived, uneasy truce. The British army soon found itself engaged in an undercover war against the Provisional IRA, which was to last for more than twenty years.
In this enthralling and controversial book, Martin Dillon, author of the bestselling, The Shankill Butchers, examines the roles played by the Provisional IRA, the State forces, the Irish Government and the British Army during this troubled period. He unravels the mystery of war in which informers, agents and double agents operate, and reveals disturbing facts about the way in which the terrorists and the Intelligence Agencies target, undermine and penetrate each other's ranks.
The Dirty War is investigative reporting at it's very best, containing startling disclosures and throwing new light on previously inexplicable events.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dillon's book provides a deep insight on the undercover side of the Northern Ireland "troubles". As the author says this work provides more questions than answers but it's part of its powerful attraction, keeping your attention on it from the first to the last word.It must be read while waiting for new light on the dark side of the conflict. You can read it as a thriller but you'll be suddenly frightened by the fact that it's not fiction. All the intrigue, perfidy, pain and suffering are real. It helps us to understand this painful conflict.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When this book first came out it was stunning,the detail separated it from most other books at the time. It details the violent conflict between the British security forces and the paramilitary organisations,particularly the Provisional IRA .Chapter 3 explains the IRA's discovery of the four square laundry British intelligence operation and consequent paranoia about informers in 1973. Chapter 6 is about the life and death of British army officer Robert Nairac who was trying to infiltrate the IRA. Chapter 7 recounts the Fred Holroyd and Colin Wallace affairs and alleged conspiracies that made big news in the 1980s. Chapter 11 is about the smaller republican group ,the INLA and the assassination of Airey Neave. A number of chapters on informers,this of course was written before the outing of top British informer within the IRA Stakeknife, but it's interesting to read this with the benefit of hindsight on this topic. Chapter 15 on the technology of surveillance by the British. And there's so much more,Over 500 pages,fantastic value.
2 final points,there are 2 maps in the book(one of northern ireland generallyand the other of Belfast and its main streets).This helps make sense for those of us outside northern ireland.
Secondly there's a very helpful timeline with all the major paramilitary incidents and political events between 1969 and 1990. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
2 final points,there are 2 maps in the book(one of northern ireland generallyand the other of Belfast and its main streets).This helps make sense for those of us outside northern ireland.
Secondly there's a very helpful timeline with all the major paramilitary incidents and political events between 1969 and 1990. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are many reasons to buy and admire Martin Dillon's 'The Dirty War,' which is nothing less than a monumental achievement in investigative journalism. Dillon peels the lid off a very large can of worms--two decades of undercover conflict between the IRA (Official and Provisional), British Army, RUC, Loyalists and assorted other players in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1990. The author's painstaking research (including many first-hand interviews with participants) and scrupulous objectivity should make this book required reading in newsrooms and journalism schools everywhere. But it's not some dry exercise. A lot of 'The Dirty War' rivals the best non-fiction crime and detective writing. Dillon knows how to tell a story. He also has a knack of involving the reader in his exhaustive analysis of individual incidents and themes. When answers aren't evident, his not afraid to admit it; rather, he asks questions and draws us in. This book is an absolute must for anyone interested in the modern British Army and its counterterrorist tactics. But it's not an anti-British book and it's not an anti-IRA book. It IS continually fascinating and, refreshingly, has a strong moral compass in the author's value set to help the reader through the unpleasantness. [Posted US Amazon February 2000]
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
brilliant and impartial.
One of the best books I've ever read. Martin Dillon writes from both sides. I have borrowed, lent, lost and re-bought this book,!
Published 4 months ago by Richard Williams
The Dirty War by Martin Dillon
One of the two best accounts of the UK's war against the IRA. (The other one is John Parker's 'Death of a Hero', republished as 'Secret Hero'). Read more
Published 5 months ago by Max Markham
Good Value
This book is really good value for the money.It.s also a great read :-)I recieved the item very quickly & was well pleased
Published 7 months ago by Ms. D. G. Mcateer
Don't bother
I was greatly dissappointed in Martin Dillon this time, have read his books in the past and liked them but this one is just way too complicated for the ordinary man ( ie. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by Loraine Connor
Essential reading on the war's complex, less visible dimensions
There are quite a few books on the "Troubles" and most have their merits, but the merits of this book make it indispensible. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2010 by Pablo
A great book by a great author
I found this book fascinating to read, well researched and full of insider knowledge. An essential read for anybody interested in the recent history of Northern Ireland.
Published on 28 Jan 2006 by helen
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