Brits: The War Against the IRA

by Peter Taylor

In the final part of his trilogy exploring 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, Peter Taylor talks to undercover agents of the British state and reveals for the first time the hidden secrets of the war they waged against the IRA for thirty years. PROVOS and LOYALISTS told the story of the conflict from the point of view of the Republicans and Loyalists; now the story, with all its tragic twists and turns, is told from the British perspective. For the first time, undercover soldiers, Special Branch officers and a top MI6 agent step out of the shadows and, along with the Whitehall mandarins who helped shape policy from Westminster, tell their stories.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ireland, Politics, Military History, British Literature

450 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2001

About the author

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Reviews

[Alexandra Sizemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book to be more impartial than other reviewers, but boy was it hard to read. There’s very little in the definition of terms, which I suspect is partly due to the assumed knowledge of the audience and partly because the book was written essentially as the peace process was still resolving.

Some of the writing quirks bugged me, specifically the copious and largely unnecessary use of single quotes around descriptors and pseudonyms. It was also written more like a history book and was generally less engaging than I’d hoped it would be. This definitely feels like assigned reading sometimes. I also noticed a distinct lack of mention of the Price sisters in this book; I think they netted a single mention total, and none with regard to their hunger strike and what it meant for British prison policy on force-feeding and how those decisions were made.

I started this trilogy of books here with Brits. I’m interested to see how we run through the same time period and gain new perspective looking through the IRA and Loyalist books. I’m also hoping they’re a bit easier to get through.

[Pushon Bhattacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding work of investigative journalism.

[Chris Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched and told history of the British operations against the IRA.

[Mark Fitz-Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insight to a horrific period of British and Irish history.

[Michael Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Workable history of the Troubles reflecting BBC bias in favour of the sectarian muderers of the IRA with far more sympathy for Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness indiscrimaye attacks on civilians than for elected politicians constrained by the law. Taylor's prejudice results in sperficial analysis of British policy and a grudging admission that the British army and the RUC defeated the PIRA.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a brilliant book. I really feel that I understand what was a very complex historical period. It reads like a thriller and a very exciting one at that. This defo goes in my top ten of all time non fiction such a good good book.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, balanced and highly readable account of British perspective of events in Northern Ireland up to 2001. I'm tempted to buy the companion books: Provos and Loyalists.