Product Description

An updated edition of this unique, bestselling history of the IRA, now including behind-the-scenes information on the recent advances made in the peace process. Tim Pat Coogan's classic The IRA provides the only fair-minded, comprehensive history of the organization that has transformed the Irish nationalist movement this century. With clarity and detachment, Coogan examines the IRA's origins, its foreign links, the bombing campaigns, hunger strikes and sectarian violence, and now their role in the latest attempt to bring peace to Northern Ireland. Meticulously researched, and backed up by interviews with past and present members of the organization, Tim Pat Coogan's book is an authoritative and compelling account of modern Irish history from the point of view of one of its most controversial major participants.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89598 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-17
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 832 pages

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

About the Author
Tim Pat Coogan, Ireland's most prominent journalist, is also well known as a historian, broadcaster and writer. He has written for a number of Irish, European and American publications, including the Sunday Times and the New York Times. He is the author of bestselling biographies of Michael Collins and De Valera.

Customer Reviews

A great history, complete and engaging.
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.

a thought provoking and serious study
This book is well researched and provides an authoritative background to the historical apsects of the IRA

Fascinating! A real eye-opener.
For many people, the IRA is synonomous with bombs, hunger strikes, punishment shootings - events from the last 30 years. This book however, goes back to the origins of the IRA - to the Fenians and the IRB. It covers events like the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War. It covers events during WWII and the border campaigns of the '50s. Of great interest the state of the IRA by the mid-1960's (basically defunct), the re-birth of the movement during the late 1960's, the split between the Officials and the Provisionals and the transformation of the IRA to the deadliest urban guerilla army in the world. This book gives an insight to the mindset of militant republicans, an insight to the rationale behind the "struggle". It is written in a level tone. It neither lionises or condemns the IRA. It merely portrays a picture. All in all, a great read for anyone interested in modern Irish Politics and History.