- Paperback: 832 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; Revised edition edition (17 July 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006531555
- ISBN-13: 978-0006531555
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
224,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #79 in Books > History > Social & Economic History > Protest & Reform
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Review
‘No student of Irish history can afford to ignore this book. No scholar is likely to improve upon it… A fascinating book, of the greatest possible value to us all’
TLS
‘A very sensible and fair-minded assessment of a uniquely controversial organization’
The Times
‘Remarkably comprehensive’
Economist
Review
'No student of Irish history can afford to ignore this book. No scholar is likely to improve upon it! A fascinating book, of the greatest possible value to us all' TLS 'A very sensible and fair-minded assessment of a uniquely controversial organization' The Times 'Remarkably comprehensive' Economist
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is probably the most complete and authoritive work on the IRA. It has been recommended as pretty much standard reading for anyone studying the subject. The latest edition of this book is the culmination of almost 2 decades of exhaustive research entailing many updates, and not only this, but Coogan writes in a straightforward no-nonsense manner which makes this hefty tome easy to read and understand. Put simply, no bookshelf of any self-appreciating student of politics should be without it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is well researched and provides an authoritative background to the historical apsects of the IRA
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Too many people get het up about this topic. My review is exacly that - not a rant.
To clear things up - There are three editions of this book, the one I read was a 1998 updated edition which briefly outlines the ceasefire talks and The Good Friday proposals towards the end. These discussions were very much a work in progress when Coogan published. It should be borne in mind when reading a contemporary source that peace was on the table at the time of publishing and it would have been at the back of the authors mind when re-writing (just saying).
The bulk of this volume is a fascinating history of The IRA; their origins (Fenian brotherhood etc) and unlike a lot of sources does pay a lot of attention to The South (Rep of Ireland) and their involvement in the counter terrorism campaigns of WW2, The 50's/60's and 1969 onwards (And you thought it all began in '69) Tim Pat Coogan was very much at the forefront of reporting on these 'troubles' and has access to some very interesting people.
Unlike some of the reviews on here (sorry - couldn't resist) one thing Tim Pat does not do is get emotionally caught up in the rights and wrongs of 'the struggle' I thought I detected some bias towards the IRA at times BUT it is, as it says on the cover a history of The IRA not NI, not The Irish, The Union and not The Loyalists. You could do a lot worse than read this for an almost complete history of the IRA, I say almost as it is becoming slightly dated now and since it's publication there have been a few small splinter groups (e.g; CIRA, PIRA, RIRA) which disconcertingly enough is where it all began...
Please bear in mind the title - This is a comprehensive history of The IRA. And a fascinating and informative read it is too. To get a more hollistic perspective See also - 'Easter 1916' (By Coogan or Townshend) 'Bandit Country' by Toby Harnden and 'Big Boys Rules' by Mark Urban.
It's never one sided....
To clear things up - There are three editions of this book, the one I read was a 1998 updated edition which briefly outlines the ceasefire talks and The Good Friday proposals towards the end. These discussions were very much a work in progress when Coogan published. It should be borne in mind when reading a contemporary source that peace was on the table at the time of publishing and it would have been at the back of the authors mind when re-writing (just saying).
The bulk of this volume is a fascinating history of The IRA; their origins (Fenian brotherhood etc) and unlike a lot of sources does pay a lot of attention to The South (Rep of Ireland) and their involvement in the counter terrorism campaigns of WW2, The 50's/60's and 1969 onwards (And you thought it all began in '69) Tim Pat Coogan was very much at the forefront of reporting on these 'troubles' and has access to some very interesting people.
Unlike some of the reviews on here (sorry - couldn't resist) one thing Tim Pat does not do is get emotionally caught up in the rights and wrongs of 'the struggle' I thought I detected some bias towards the IRA at times BUT it is, as it says on the cover a history of The IRA not NI, not The Irish, The Union and not The Loyalists. You could do a lot worse than read this for an almost complete history of the IRA, I say almost as it is becoming slightly dated now and since it's publication there have been a few small splinter groups (e.g; CIRA, PIRA, RIRA) which disconcertingly enough is where it all began...
Please bear in mind the title - This is a comprehensive history of The IRA. And a fascinating and informative read it is too. To get a more hollistic perspective See also - 'Easter 1916' (By Coogan or Townshend) 'Bandit Country' by Toby Harnden and 'Big Boys Rules' by Mark Urban.
It's never one sided....
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
important history explains today
Well written and researched. People in the UK should read this and reflect upon the bias against the catholics/nationalists we have had from our mainstream media and politicians. Read more
Published 22 months ago by findlay
A book of two halves
There are at least three editions of this book,the original published in 1970,an update in 1979 and a second update in 2003-4(I think). Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2009 by PygmyTwylyte
Shocking..
When asked to title this review that was the only word that sprung to mind.
The behaviour of the british government, the vehemence of the Irish reaction and the utter... Read more
The behaviour of the british government, the vehemence of the Irish reaction and the utter... Read more
Published on 27 May 2008 by Sandra Hall
Extremely biased!!
I read this book many years ago. It is incredibly one-sided. Reading this book is akin to reading a book about the vietnam war by Ho Chi Minh! Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2006 by Stuart
Fascinating! A real eye-opener.
For many people, the IRA is synonomous with bombs, hunger strikes, punishment shootings - events from the last 30 years. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 1999
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