The Ulster Tales: A Tribute to Those Who Served 1969-2000 [Hardcover]

Only the very best authors realize that in isolation, detailed information is of limited value. In order to serve its purpose, information must be set in context - and Wilsey does this masterfully. Just a few pages into the book I already knew and understood more of the background and reasons for events of Northern Ireland.

In dealing with such an emotive subject, it is all too easy to appear partisan, but Wilsey has the happy knack of telling it like it is in a calm dispassionate way to which no offence can reasonably be taken. Criticism and praise are given impartially to all parties as appropriate. Set within the surprising normality of a beautiful country and its for the most part friendly people, the book portrays those caught up in challenging and often violent times. The personal danger and human tragedies are not played down, but shown as the inevitable backdrop which made everything so much harder - and more important. And of course "day to day" misfortunes such as homelessness upon being widowed, lack of money and marital discord also affected those concerned, just to make their lives all the more difficult.

There is nothing as authentic as someone who was present describing with conviction what he has seen - and this is exactly what Wilsey does in his cleverly constructed account of how 10 people lived and worked through the troubles.

A frequently levelled criticism was that "blow ins" from the mainland used the troubles as a stepping stone to advance their own careers, but Wilsey demonstrates clearly that this was by no means the case. The participants, representative of a much larger group of people, are shown to have been hard working and sincere people doing their best, with as much compassion and humanity as the politics and the practicalities would allow.

Packed with interest and information in an interesting and thoroughly readable way, it is not all cloak and dagger stuff, but also embraces the likes of Harland and Wolff and even the kidnapping of Shergar - it all fits.

With the sort of detail which only first hand knowledge can impart, Wilsey gets behind the headlines and the stereotypes and shows real people, how the troubles affected them and their personal (often selfless) contributions to ameliorate the situation.

The Ulster Tales is not fiction, but a fascinating insight into real lives and the real issues faced, supported by John Wilsey's detailed personal knowledge, and all told in an interesting, authoritative and enjoyable way. It doesn't get any better than this!

An excellent series of true stories from a wide range of people, not all military. They include the moving "The Widow's Tale", The Spook's Tale", "The Minister's (Tom KIng, Secretary of State) Tale," etc. This is not History but the raw material of History. It will be of interest to all students of the Troubles. The stories are bite-sized. You could read one on the train on the way to or from work, or before bed. One gripe: there are occasional irritating inaccuracies. For example, the Robert Nairac GC was not (not) Irish or even of Irish origin! He could put on a passable Belfast accent at need, and knew a lot about Ireland and Irish History. Even so, this is a good read.