Cage Eleven: Writings from Prison

by Gerry Adams

Long before he became President of Sinn F é in, Gerry Adams was a civil-rights activist who led sit-ins, marches and protests in Northern Ireland. Along with hundreds of other men, Adams was interned on the Maidstone prison ship and in Long Kesh prison-without charge or trial-during the 1970s for his political activities. Cage Eleven is his own account-sometimes passionate, often humorous-of life in Long Kesh. Written while Adams was a prisoner, the pieces were smuggled out for publication.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Politics, Irish Literature

152 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

Gerard "Gerry" Adams, MLA, MP (Irish: Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh; born 6 October 1948) is an Irish republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Member of Parliament for Belfast West. He is the president of Sinn Féin, the political party at the top of the latest North of Ireland election polls amidst a three-way split in the traditionally dominant unionist vote. Sinn Féin is the second largest party in the Northern Assembly.

From the late 1980s onwards, Adams has been an important figure in Ireland's peace process, initially following contact by the then Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader John Hume and subsequently with the Irish and British governments and then other parties. In 2005, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) indicated that its armed campaign was over and that it is now exclusively committed to democratic politics. Under Adams, Sinn Féin changed its traditional policy of abstentionism towards Oireachtas Éireann, the parliament of Ireland, in 1986 and later took seats in the power-sharing Northern Assembly. However, Sinn Féin retains a policy of abstentionism towards the Westminster Parliament.

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cage 11 Long Kesh

Long Mesh,was an internment camp inside the Maize prison,outside of Belfast,Northern Ireland. Gerry Adams wrote a series of articles,sumggled out of the prison. This book is those articles and well worth reading,to help understand "The Troubles " during the 1970s.
Some of them are funny and some are hard to read.
I think the stories in this book could have taken place in any POW camp,anywhere.
Mr. Adams captures the spirit of the men,that never give up the dream of an united Ireland,but can look at it realistically.
A good book for those looking to understand Ireland then and now.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some quare craic.

Wasn’t expecting this to be so funny. I anticipated a more somber documentation of oppression and time in captivity; instead this demonstrates why you can’t take your oppressor too seriously, and having a sense of humor can be a powerful tool of liberation.

I loved seeing an example of democratic centralism, or probably just strict party discipline. I’m curious to know more about the provisionals’ political structure and organization.

I also love Uncle Ho getting several honorable mentions throughout.

Maybe actually reference the glossary. Explains some of the Irish terms that I wasn’t familiar with.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Valkyrie Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of hardship this book shows how men can band, bond and develop an unshakeable camaraderie. In parts Adams' writing reminds me of the satirical style of Joseph Heller. I could not put it down and now I have the words 'ALSATIAN once again playing in my ears.'

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helps one understand the intense atmosphere in an Irish prison before the 10 hunger strikers. Adams' helps explain the Irish Catholics plight in Northern Ireland by describing his time in prison.