Something Has Gone Wrong: Dealing with the Brighton Bomb

by Steve Ramsey (Contributor), Norman Tebbit (Foreword)

12 October 1984 is a day seared into British memory. Early that morning, an IRA bomb intended to kill Margaret Thatcher and her Cabinet exploded inside Brighton s Grand Hotel. While it missed the Prime Minister by just a few feet, five people were killed and thirty others injured and the world watched in horror. Amidst this appalling tragedy is the inspiring story of strong-willed and resilient people who picked up the pieces and carried on. Far from being cowed by fear, politicians, police officers, fire fighters and hospital staff became the heroes of the day, stepping up and getting on with the job at hand. Indeed, the Conservative Party conference continued and the government resumed business as usual. In Something Has Gone Wrong, journalist Steve Ramsey speaks to those who were there on the day and involved in its aftermath, many of whom have never spoken publicly about it before. Incorporating fascinating new insights and revelations, Ramsey has produced a unique and vivid portrait of this shocking event.

200 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2018

About the author

I used to write. Now I just read.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently re-read the novel, “High Dive,” by Jonathan Lee, based on events around the Brighton Bomb, I thought it would be interesting to read a non-fiction account and came across this. Sub-titled, “Dealing with the Brighton Bomb,” this is an oral history of the aftermath of the bomb. As such, it has some limitations. There is no, ‘setting the scene,’ and the book begins, quite literally, with the explosion – as it would have done for those involved.

There are interviews, and comments, from people staying at the hotel, who were caught up in the bombing; with Norman Tebbit featuring heavily. However, mainly we hear from those involved in the rescue, recovery and investigation. These include the emergency services – those in the police, fire brigade and medical personnel.

The fire brigade were, apparently, told they should enter any building where a bomb had exploded, in case of secondary explosions. Thankfully, for those involved, all of the emergency services ignored this advice and immediately began to search for victims. There is much about the rescue operation, and also from journalists, who – at first – thought the unfolding news story must be a hoax.

Although I would have liked to have read a more full account of the bombing, which set the scene and gave some background to the events, this was a very interesting account from eyewitnesses. I remember the bombing well and was interested to read the words of those who were there. This could have been enlarged - it would have been nice to have heard from those who worked in the hotel, for example, as well as more guests, but, although limited in scope, it is fascinating and worth reading.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another fairy tale in which the author has god like powers to see through time and space and describe who said what around a traumatizing event. Actually, this is another second rate writer who can't sell yet another James Bond like novel so he labels it as something else.