Product Description

Before co-founder of the American School in London Peter Waller died – he is pictured on the front cover just before he was eight – he gave a partial manuscript to the author, his half-brother. Here is his story.

Irish Flames is a thriller. It is based on Peter Waller’s memories of his childhood and the 1920 arrival of the Black and Tans. It is set in heart-wrenching times, intertwining flames of freedom, flames of hate and flames of love.

The white of peace links the Green and the Orange in the tri-colour, the flag of free Ireland. Irish Flames brings together, in tender affection, the Green and the Orange in the Irish War of Independence - the Anglo-Irish War. They unite against the barbaric Black and Tans, brought over by the British to "beat the hell out of the Irish".

"If the persons approaching (a patrol) carry their hands in their pockets, or are in any way suspicious-looking, shoot them down. Innocent persons may be shot, but that cannot be helped. I assure you no policeman will get into trouble for shooting any man."
(Englishman Lt. Col. Smyth, June 1920)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #335367 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Dr. Rory Masterson, Offaly Historical Society
Very Good read, most enjoyable.

Lucy O'Sullivan, Midsummer Films, London
A riveting story told with pace, compelling and visual.

Christina Slaon MBE, Librarian, Armagh
It is bound to strike a chord with a great number of readers.

Customer Reviews

A thrilling historical drama based upon a true story of the Black and Tans in Ireland
This historical drama is the third of John Waller's books that I have read and his best so far.

Taking as its base a manuscript detailing the fascinating story of a family 'secret', the author has crafted this with great skill into an exciting yet moving thriller. All of the hallmarks of John Waller's earlier travel writing works are there - the colourful descriptions of the landscape, and particularly the informative historical background to, in this case, the beginnings of the troubles in Ireland. However, the novel format also reveals a skill for building drama and well-observed characters and I realy look forward to the follow-on, Atlantic Affair.

Flaming Tans
An interesting documental review of the entry of the Black and Tans to Ireland ,slightly laborious in technique but revealing in analysis of their activities and problems they faced and created.