Product Description

This is a detailed history and analysis of the IRA from the dramatic events of the Easter Rising in 1916 to the peace process. In it he examines the guerrilla war of 1919-1921, the partitioning of Ireland in the 1920s and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Here, too, are the IRA campaigns in Northern Ireland and Britain during the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Richard English, explains how the Provisionals were born out of the turbulence generated by the 1960s civil rights movement. He examines: the escalating violence; the split in the IRA that produced the Provisionals; the introduction of internment in 1971; and the tragedy of Bloody Sunday in 1972. He then details the prison war over political status, culminating in the hunger strikes of the early 1980s, moves on to describe the Provisionals' subsequent emergence as a more commitedly political force, and concludes with the peace process.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #561801 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 512 pages

Roddy Doyle, January 2003
What impressed me most was the way Richard English managed to present such an historical and contradictory mess with such clarity and fairness.

Peter Hart (Author of THE IRA AND ITS ENEMIES), January 2003
...the best account by far of the twentieth century's longest war... If you want to know where the IRA came from and how they think, this is the book to read.

Professor George Boyce
...work distinguished ...by a deep understanding of the mentalities that drive Republican violence, as well as a sensitivity to its cost.

Customer Reviews

Excellent: Fair and Balanced
"Armed Struggle" is easily the most accurate, well written and balanced account of the IRA I've read. English's thorough scholorship and intelligent analysis is a welcome improvement from less rigorous, journalistic works on republicans. The narrative is clear, concise and accessible. English has produced a detailed and informative history of the IRA with thoughtful analysis. I was very suprised to find that another reviewer found it "biased", because I have read a large portion of the vast available literature on "the Troubles" and with this work English successfully avoids the partiality or sensationalism that characterises so much of the literature on this subject. This is an extremely valuable resource for anyone interested in the IRA, "the Troubles", or Irish nationalism and history in general.

Armed Struggle. history of the IRA
Being half Irish,but not having lived in Ireland,Ihave for a long time had an intrest in Irish history. when I first saw this book I wasn't sure if it was for me. Having bought and read it, I'm very pleased I did.Richard English has produced what others have failed to do.The research and attention to detail is incredible.He has given a fair and balanced account of the 'troubles'from the 1916 Easter rising to the turn of the century.I found it quite heavy reading in places, having to absorb such an enormous of information,both social and political. Anyone intrested in Irish hitory should read it, as it fills a big gap and provides a lot of answers.

BIASED HOGWASH
I am a very easy going person - I have a bias towards certain things, but I try to see other people's points of view. I have read many books on the NI troubles, written by authors who are neutral, slightly orange or slightly green. Mr English, however, has written possibly the most biased account of what has happened/is still happening (dependant on who you listen to)in Ulster that I have ever seen. His book is one sided and lacks any insight into the overall picture. The protestants are portrayed as ogres, the catholics ('the brave IRA boys') as legendary heroes. If you want a proper, balanced view of the troubles, don't read this. If you are a member of the anti British, pro IRA fan club, buy it - you'll think it's great. You can chat to your mates about it in amongst singing songs about the Black and Tans and lobbing empty Guinness bottles at the police from a run-down second floor flat on the New Lodge.