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No Surrender: An Ulster Childhood
220 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 1987
20 people want to read
About the author
Robert Harbinson
9 booksRobert Harbinson Bryans (1928 - 2005) was a prolific author of popular travel and autobiographical works under the pen names Robin Bryans, Robert Harbinson, and Donald Cameron. Involved with the Anglo-Irish Establishment throughout his life, in his later years he achieved a degree of notoriety for allegations made about a number of public figures.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 27, 2018
"No Surrender" is Sheer poetry. The author was Belfast-born in 1928 and the book details the poverty and adventure of his early life. The style is racy and humorous, lyrical, and immediate. This book is a classic of the memoir genre, more feisty and humorous than "Cider with Rosie" but up there with it. This ought to belong to the canon of the best Irish literature, yet it is little known and very difficult to come by. There are not even many in the library stock of Northern Ireland libraries. Possibly this was a result of becoming a controversial figure towards the end of his life yet this is not uncommon among authors. Even so, I had not heard of him until recommended by a friend. I could not put the book down and had no sooner finished it when I began to devour the second volume of Harbinson's memoirs. The memoir is also a window on to working class Protestant culture and childhood of the pre-war era and as such is a gem for our understanding of the different cultural traditions on this island. "No Surrender" is a joy to read.
PS I can't figure why Michael J Murphy's name is linked with the author in the catalogue here as there is no connection.
PS I can't figure why Michael J Murphy's name is linked with the author in the catalogue here as there is no connection.
March 16, 2022
A great read. The writing is lyrical. I look forward to reading about his adventures in Fermanagh in ‘Song of Erne’.
April 26, 2025
Call me antidisestablishmentarian, but I would have deducted a star from my initial enthusiasm over this passionate book for Harbinson's acrimonious coming of age had I read it at work!
Apparently, horrors and alas, his rage at polite behaviour would continue throughout the autobiography. Just not my cuppa, Robert, I might have said in 1980.
Most will say I mistakenly carried on unremarkably through my own adult initiation. I nevertheless held my fire as before!
So I suffered through the repression of my anger soullessly. Humankind cannot repress its raucous humanity for too long. As it’s attempting to do now by swamping our computers with woke pablum.
In 1984 my burnout began... what goes up must come down.
My friend and sometime nemesis Reg (may be rest in peace) was a chip off Harbinson's old block. He was old-school macho.
Though I avoided his worthiness as uncouth, my straight and narrow rut was downright risible. It was a cop-out and it was an antic guise.
Reg used to counter my constant bipolar segues with, "you can't change horses in midstream!" I did anyway... to my incessant embarassment.
***
So there I was - laughing and laughed at at age 44! At 74 I have now started to sharpen my pencil. The half-lives of my Asperger’s took a protracted toll.
Now I see great, sensitive writing in Harbinson's memoirs! He will doubtless be forgiven for bucking the system as I perhaps for being a shrinking violet in the past.
As he does, so I must now do:
Tear my pleasures with tough strife/Through the iron gates of life!
Who needs costly mindless sexy fun -
When our mindful, soulful, unexpurgated humanity is in the books we once hated to love?
***
If you love animals - sometimes more than your fellow men - you'll love this book! Harbinson's attitude is your own wild one, the wilder the better. How many books condone such an attitude these days?
See why I love old books best? They give Breath to your Life! This book is one of em.
This book, like the animals Harbinson loved, is an endangered species!
It may not sneak back into print, either. I was SO lucky my Goodreads friend Peter recommended this to me, and I ordered one of the remaining ones before they were nearly extinct!
What're you waiting for?
Buy one NOW, and you'll thank me!
And I’ll buy its conclusion if I still can.
Apparently, horrors and alas, his rage at polite behaviour would continue throughout the autobiography. Just not my cuppa, Robert, I might have said in 1980.
Most will say I mistakenly carried on unremarkably through my own adult initiation. I nevertheless held my fire as before!
So I suffered through the repression of my anger soullessly. Humankind cannot repress its raucous humanity for too long. As it’s attempting to do now by swamping our computers with woke pablum.
In 1984 my burnout began... what goes up must come down.
My friend and sometime nemesis Reg (may be rest in peace) was a chip off Harbinson's old block. He was old-school macho.
Though I avoided his worthiness as uncouth, my straight and narrow rut was downright risible. It was a cop-out and it was an antic guise.
Reg used to counter my constant bipolar segues with, "you can't change horses in midstream!" I did anyway... to my incessant embarassment.
***
So there I was - laughing and laughed at at age 44! At 74 I have now started to sharpen my pencil. The half-lives of my Asperger’s took a protracted toll.
Now I see great, sensitive writing in Harbinson's memoirs! He will doubtless be forgiven for bucking the system as I perhaps for being a shrinking violet in the past.
As he does, so I must now do:
Tear my pleasures with tough strife/Through the iron gates of life!
Who needs costly mindless sexy fun -
When our mindful, soulful, unexpurgated humanity is in the books we once hated to love?
***
If you love animals - sometimes more than your fellow men - you'll love this book! Harbinson's attitude is your own wild one, the wilder the better. How many books condone such an attitude these days?
See why I love old books best? They give Breath to your Life! This book is one of em.
This book, like the animals Harbinson loved, is an endangered species!
It may not sneak back into print, either. I was SO lucky my Goodreads friend Peter recommended this to me, and I ordered one of the remaining ones before they were nearly extinct!
What're you waiting for?
Buy one NOW, and you'll thank me!
And I’ll buy its conclusion if I still can.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews