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The American Connection: U.S. Guns, Money, and Influence in Northern Ireland
Belfast native Jack Holland believes that the last 30 years of political conflict in Northern Ireland cannot be understood properly without taking into account the influence of Irish America. This volume brings the history up to date and reviews U.S. efforts in the ongoing peace process.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 8, 2022
I picked this book up at a secondhand bookstore for my dad for Christmas and I ended up reading it before he did. I’m so glad I did! I did not read the revised edition.
This was excellently organized and written, which is always a plus for heavier nonfiction. Holland is a very engaging writer and I learned an enormous amount. The Irish American diaspora is woefully undereducated on Ireland itself (especially the Troubles) and I think his analysis of the Irish Arcadia throughout is spot on.
The chapter on the US press is particularly eviscerating. I loved this quote on US headline coverage of Britain being found guilty of human rights abuses in Northern Ireland through the use of illegal torture methods:
“A scandal of potentially Watergate dimensions involving British ministers authorizing army officers to break the law was lost in the rush to describe British government “embarrassment” and annoyance at being pestered by the Republic of Ireland over such a matter.” (219)
Overall, this was interesting and informative and I highly recommend it. I especially appreciated its direct and substantive analysis/critique of pervasive pro-British rhetoric on this subject, so I know I’m now better equipped to identify it in future reading. I’ll definitely be continuing my education journey and this was a great place to begin.
This was excellently organized and written, which is always a plus for heavier nonfiction. Holland is a very engaging writer and I learned an enormous amount. The Irish American diaspora is woefully undereducated on Ireland itself (especially the Troubles) and I think his analysis of the Irish Arcadia throughout is spot on.
The chapter on the US press is particularly eviscerating. I loved this quote on US headline coverage of Britain being found guilty of human rights abuses in Northern Ireland through the use of illegal torture methods:
“A scandal of potentially Watergate dimensions involving British ministers authorizing army officers to break the law was lost in the rush to describe British government “embarrassment” and annoyance at being pestered by the Republic of Ireland over such a matter.” (219)
Overall, this was interesting and informative and I highly recommend it. I especially appreciated its direct and substantive analysis/critique of pervasive pro-British rhetoric on this subject, so I know I’m now better equipped to identify it in future reading. I’ll definitely be continuing my education journey and this was a great place to begin.
May 2, 2013
Jack Holland was an amazing writer, able to tell the ever-changing, incredibly complex story that is Northern Ireland. This book gives a comprehensive overview of the ways in which Irish Americans influenced the war between the IRA and Britain in such a compelling way that it reads like a best-selling novel of political intrigue. Anyone who thinks they know the role played by high-profile politicians and regular folks who filled the donation jars in local pubs will think again after reading this.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews