Customer Reviews

The Red Hand: Protestant Paramilitaries in Northern Ireland

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Many books have been written on loyalist paramilitaries,but this balanced account was rare when it was published in 1992. Loyalist (protestant) paramilitaries are usually portrayed as fascist psychopaths,but this book makes quite clear the northern ireland situation is far more complex. The author is critical of them but also tries to put their point of view as well. He makes clear that some men who join paramilitaries would be in organised crime groups if on mainland Britain. but he also makes clear many have political intent as well. It details the 2 main loyalist paramilitaries ,the ulster volunteer force(UVF), and ulster defence association (UDA) up to the early 90s . chapter 10 is called THE END OF THE UDA? because the leadership had been arrested on fraud,extortion etc.What happened after the books publication was a younger generation took over,including johnny adair. RECOMMENDED, gives you both sides of the story.

Generally a very thorough book. Chapter 8 on the security forces and terrorists is limited as much of the evidence suggesting collusion between the Loyalists and the security forces was only made public following a number of investigation during the mid 90's and early 00's. Apart from that it's another good book from Bruce.