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UVF: Behind the Mask
Behind the Mask is the gripping and shocking history of the Ulster Volunteer Force, from the formation of its post-1965 incarnation up to the present day. Aaron Edwards, who grew up in the Protestant working class community in North Belfast, blends rigorous research with unprecedented access to leading members of the UVF. His unique position reveals startling revelations into the inner-workings of one of the world's oldest and most ruthless terrorist groups, explaining the grisly details behind their sadistic torture and murder techniques, and their high profile atrocities. Brilliantly told through a compelling true crime narrative, Edwards offers key insights into the surrounding historical, social, and political environment of which the UVF was a direct product. Interviews with high-profile UVF members-including Billy Mitchell, David Ervine, Billy Wright, Billy Hutchinson, Gary Haggarty, and the group's current leadership, as well as their loyalist rivals such as Johnny Adair, and the police officers who sought to bring the paramilitaries to justice-reveal the secret details behind the group's violent campaign. Behind the Mask assesses the long-term effects of UVF violence on its own members, supporters and wider Northern Irish society, explaining, for the first time, how law enforcement agencies used informers and agents to combat UVF violence. Edwards' life and career has led him to the centre of the UVF's long, dark underbelly; in this defining work he offers a comprehensive and authoritative study of an armed group that has played a pivotal role in the Irish conflict. *** "Great historians are good storytellers and Aaron Edwards belongs in this class. His account of the modern UVF's history is told without embellishment. Facts are carefully woven into the troubles' historical tapestry . Behind The Mask is an excellent addition to the written history of the troubles." --Martin Dillon, Author and Former Journalist *** "I have no doubt that ... this new book by Aaron Edwards will be seen as the definitive history of the loyalist paramilitary grouping known as the Ulster Volunteer Force." --Hugh Jordan, Sunday World *** "Aaron Edwards' work is easily the best account of this little known but possibly most successful terror group of the Northern Ireland 'Troubles'." --Jim Cusack, Irish Independent [ True Crime, Politics, History, Irish Studies, Terrorism]Ã?Â?Ã?Â?
- GenresIrelandHistoryNonfiction
444 pages, Paperback
Published July 29, 2017
30 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Edwards
33 books19 followersWelcome to my Goodreads Page!
I’m a reader first and a writer second.
My several books include the critically acclaimed Mad Mitch’s Tribal Law: Aden and the End of Empire (Transworld Books, 2014; paperback 2015) and UVF: Behind the Mask (Merrion Press, 2017).
I have taught in the Faculty for the Study of Leadership, Security and Warfare at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since 2008, traveling the world to instruct on global security challenges, including terrorism, war and peace.
In my spare time beyond reading, writing and teaching I love walking, trekking and running.
I’m a reader first and a writer second.
My several books include the critically acclaimed Mad Mitch’s Tribal Law: Aden and the End of Empire (Transworld Books, 2014; paperback 2015) and UVF: Behind the Mask (Merrion Press, 2017).
I have taught in the Faculty for the Study of Leadership, Security and Warfare at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since 2008, traveling the world to instruct on global security challenges, including terrorism, war and peace.
In my spare time beyond reading, writing and teaching I love walking, trekking and running.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 23, 2018
Interesting to read a more up to date history of the paramilitary organisation, written by an academic who grew up in the same area from which many of the strategists and footsoldiers of the organisation came, and which pulls no punches about the atrocities they committed, while trying to understand their psyche and explain their difficulty in leaving the conflict behind. Just felt that the book glossed over some of the most controversial killings of the troubles, those perpetrated by the 'Glenanne Gang' in the 1970s - while some of their atrocities were mentioned, and their leader name checked a few times, the enormity and significance of their campaign wasn't clear.
Saying that, the fact that I finished the book in less than a working week shows how, for someone like me who has an interest in the history of NI, this book was an engaging read.
Saying that, the fact that I finished the book in less than a working week shows how, for someone like me who has an interest in the history of NI, this book was an engaging read.
July 5, 2019
Aaron Edwards certainly knows his subject and he does not allow his respect for some of the protagonists used as sources to cloud his analysis. A very timely work that should be read widely it adds significantly to a better understanding of the events and motivations of loyalist paramilitaries.
December 31, 2020
An academic book, not that easy to read. After a while my thought was, “Why do I want to know about these thugs?”. I didn’t finish the book.
November 14, 2025
insightful
A difficult subject, which is handled well.
Thought there could have been more details of the republican’s place in the story but apart from that a balanced read.
A difficult subject, which is handled well.
Thought there could have been more details of the republican’s place in the story but apart from that a balanced read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews