Published to rave reviews in hardback, this exhilarating, savagely funny account of Northern Ireland's bloody civil war in the 1970s is now in paperback."Watching the Door" is the memoir of an ordinary young man who drifted into a war zone, made it his home and, somehow, emerged unscathed. After Kevin Myers graduated from university in 1969, a chance job application landed him a position as a journalist in Belfast. There, he was absorbed quickly into the local community. Soon he became privy to the secrets of Protestant and Catholic paramilitaries alike. In his darkly funny account of life on the streets, Myers evokes with searing clarity a society on the brink of civil war. His memoir is a remarkable portrait of those divisions, from the dedicated violence of loyalist gangs and provos to the behaviour of paratroopers, squaddies, Northern Ireland's police force and the wider population. Raw, candid and courageous, "Watching the Door" recalls the bloodiest time in Northern Ireland's recent past. It is a coming-of-age story like no other.
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"'Dark, witty, grim, caustic, despairing, wise, searingly honest and beautifully written... The best informed and most exciting personal account of the Troubles ever published... Brilliant.' James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday * 'Watching the Door will become an essential part of the history of the troubles. It is the most astonishing memoir of its kind that I have read in years.' Jack Higgins * 'Ghastly, hilarious, black with humour, black with death and cruelty, and lucid with humanity... The best book you will ever read about Belfast in the 1970s.' Mary Kenny, Literary Review * 'A visceral, unrelenting account... You almost feel you are walking those streets, taking hasty cover as a cannonade of machine gun fire barks fatally into the silence.' Tom Adair, Scotsman * 'Lyrical, savage, richly comic' Melanie McDonagh, Daily Telegraph * 'So remarkable that after finishing it you will find yourself casting the film that will surely get made.' Byron Rogers, Spectator * 'Raw and memorable... sharp and laconic... A book that will be read after many others about that horrible turbulence are forgotten.' George Brock, TLS * 'A masterpiece' Michael Henderson, Daily Telegraph"
About the Author
Kevin Myers, writer, broadcaster and novelist (Banks of Green Willow, 2001), is also author of Kevin Myers (2001). He is now an Irish Independent columnist.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A brutally raw story. Although you're aware that atrocities were committed, there are eye-opening descriptions in the book that weren't to be found in the newspapers at the time. You read that bombs had exploded, that someone had been blown up but you couldn't possibly imagine the true coldbloodedness that was happening only streets away.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Martin Ford
Format:Paperback
I went out on a limb when I bought this one - but I'm glad I did. It is a very moving book that takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions - disbelief,humour and amazement. Not what I would call an 'easy read' but one which takes you away from the comfort of your armchair whilst making you appreciate that you can return to it!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. Cr Elam
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Author, gives a totaly honest account of his life in the 1970's Belfast, amidst the Troubles,His was an unbiased view of the murder and mayhem occuring on a daily basis.The reader is taken on a journey into the heart of darkness,where neighbours turned on each other in the name of religion.Incrediby there is room for humour and sex and adventure, in the bleakest of envirionments.
You wil not forget this in a hurry,a very poingant book,insightful and educational, thoroughlly recomended..
You wil not forget this in a hurry,a very poingant book,insightful and educational, thoroughlly recomended..
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
watching the door
great book ,knew most of the people mentioned. most of book i could say was true.few false names used for people still living.
Published 3 months ago by hugh mc
1.0 out of 5 stars
Parasites
This author has been very general and cliched in his description of life during the troubles.It is just another money spinner because he didn't milk it enough the first time... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Colin G
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better Than A History Book
Brilliant read.
This has the feel of the times and the taste of truth. It is gripping, terribly sad and often very funny. Read more
This has the feel of the times and the taste of truth. It is gripping, terribly sad and often very funny. Read more
Published on 18 July 2009 by K. BOYLE
2.0 out of 5 stars
watching the door
I have read the above book and find that Kevin has left out some details of what really happened as I was there then.I found his story telling to be quite biased and one sided.
Published on 3 April 2009 by percy perch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Kevin Myers has to be congratulated for writing such an honest and brutal book about those insane times known as the Troubles. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by N. H. Ferguson
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