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Before the Dawn: An Autobiography
“In this compelling memoir of his early life, the president of Sinn Féin . . . recalls the development of the modern ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland” (Kirkus).
Gerry Adams was the president of Sinn Féin, the political wing of the Irish Republican Amy, for more than thirty years. In this autobiography of his early life, he shares a personal account of the political unrest and violence of the 1970s and 80s. He opens up about his imprisonment, secret talks with the British government, his leadership role in Sinn Féin, and the tragic hunger strike by imprisoned IRA prisoners in 1981.
Born in 1948, Adams vividly recalls growing up in the working-class Ballymurphy district of West Belfast, where he became involved in the civil rights campaign in the late 1960s. When the unionist regime responded to the protests with violence, the situation exploded into conflict. Adams recounts his growing radicalization, his relationship with the IRA, and the British use of secret courts to condemn republicans.
Adams was a political prisoner who spent a total of five years in the notorious Long Kesh prison camp. Though he opposed the hunger strike, Adams was instrumental in the mass campaign of support which saw Bobby Sands elected to British Parliament and Ciaran Doherty and Kevin Agnew elected to Irish Parliament.
First published in 1996, this edition contains a new introduction and epilogue written by the author, covering Adams’s family, Brexit, and the peace process.
Gerry Adams was the president of Sinn Féin, the political wing of the Irish Republican Amy, for more than thirty years. In this autobiography of his early life, he shares a personal account of the political unrest and violence of the 1970s and 80s. He opens up about his imprisonment, secret talks with the British government, his leadership role in Sinn Féin, and the tragic hunger strike by imprisoned IRA prisoners in 1981.
Born in 1948, Adams vividly recalls growing up in the working-class Ballymurphy district of West Belfast, where he became involved in the civil rights campaign in the late 1960s. When the unionist regime responded to the protests with violence, the situation exploded into conflict. Adams recounts his growing radicalization, his relationship with the IRA, and the British use of secret courts to condemn republicans.
Adams was a political prisoner who spent a total of five years in the notorious Long Kesh prison camp. Though he opposed the hunger strike, Adams was instrumental in the mass campaign of support which saw Bobby Sands elected to British Parliament and Ciaran Doherty and Kevin Agnew elected to Irish Parliament.
First published in 1996, this edition contains a new introduction and epilogue written by the author, covering Adams’s family, Brexit, and the peace process.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
59 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Gerry Adams
37 books31 followersGerard "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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 25, 2019
It states in the Irish World review of this book that the “…book is well worth reading” no matter your opinions of Gerry Adams or his politics because he is a “…very good writer…” I absolutely agree. I had great difficulty putting the book away once I started reading.
In addition to the very serious stuff of Britain’s constant harassment, the IRA revenge, the unionist, UVF, partitioning, etc., Adams’ story includes the humor that is a necessity to pull through violent and trying times. For example, in the late 60s he and his buddies did a bit of the popular at the time—streaking buck naked around Belfast. Also he and his buddies started a window cleaning business only to go belly up and to realize “…faced with a choice of cleaning windows for a living or changing the world, we took the easy option.”
Adams lists many times when the actions of the British only brought more of the Irish to the republican cause as oppressive occupation still does. Yes, IRA actions were brutal and killed many innocents, but the IRA did not have a patent on brutality, as the descriptions of the true torture of republican prisoners are also sickening. Gerry Adams understands that this tit-for-tat will never solve what is essentially a political problem.
Although I was highly engaged, I wish that I had been a bit more informed as there are so very many references to the participants and their affiliations are explained only once, as are the long list of involved organizations in which the full title is only referenced once followed by the acronym each mention afterwards. It becomes rather confusing and distracting. Should you plan to read this keep that in mind and try to learn enough to distinguish the different actors. Also, remember that this was penned by Adams in 1996 and note that The Troubles of Northern Ireland have never really gone away and appear to be heating up again, especially after the recent killing of journalist Laura McKee. I cannot help but wonder why in the hell Great Britain can’t just let go of her colonial past and move on?
In addition to the very serious stuff of Britain’s constant harassment, the IRA revenge, the unionist, UVF, partitioning, etc., Adams’ story includes the humor that is a necessity to pull through violent and trying times. For example, in the late 60s he and his buddies did a bit of the popular at the time—streaking buck naked around Belfast. Also he and his buddies started a window cleaning business only to go belly up and to realize “…faced with a choice of cleaning windows for a living or changing the world, we took the easy option.”
Adams lists many times when the actions of the British only brought more of the Irish to the republican cause as oppressive occupation still does. Yes, IRA actions were brutal and killed many innocents, but the IRA did not have a patent on brutality, as the descriptions of the true torture of republican prisoners are also sickening. Gerry Adams understands that this tit-for-tat will never solve what is essentially a political problem.
Although I was highly engaged, I wish that I had been a bit more informed as there are so very many references to the participants and their affiliations are explained only once, as are the long list of involved organizations in which the full title is only referenced once followed by the acronym each mention afterwards. It becomes rather confusing and distracting. Should you plan to read this keep that in mind and try to learn enough to distinguish the different actors. Also, remember that this was penned by Adams in 1996 and note that The Troubles of Northern Ireland have never really gone away and appear to be heating up again, especially after the recent killing of journalist Laura McKee. I cannot help but wonder why in the hell Great Britain can’t just let go of her colonial past and move on?
May 1, 2015
Interesting book, but a pity that the story ends in 1981 (the hungerstrike). One would like to know what happened between that year and 1996, the year in which the epilogue was written.
June 27, 2025
Adams is a great writer, and this book does show the Republican side of the Irish struggles. His reminiscences of his youth in Belfast are fascinating, and he aptly mingles world events with the Ireland of his childhood. He also shows the nationalist side of the Irish struggle for a united Ireland. So much of the media only delves into IRA violence, but lots of loyalist violence also occurred against nationalist Catholics.
January 2, 2026
Gostei muito da leitura - embora tenha ressalvas quanto ao Gerry Adams -, foi interessante observar um ponto de vista diferente diante dos acontecimentos envolvendo o Provisional IRA e a greve de fome de 1981 - dessa vez, não de um historiador ou de um dos sobreviventes, mas de alguém que se afastou de forma estratégica do que foram as ações dos Provos.
Como sempre, minhas partes favoritas sempre são sobre o Brendan Hughes.
Como sempre, minhas partes favoritas sempre são sobre o Brendan Hughes.
July 13, 2013
Excellent book. I decided to read this following a rereading of Leon Uris's "Trinity" because of my background and being familiar with many of the names and some of the incidents in Adams's book. This autobiography gives insight into his role in Sinn Fein and the republican's take on the events of the times. The book ends in 1996 without "a settlement between the people of Britain and the people of the island of Ireland", which in my opinion is a settlement way, way overdue.
December 10, 2022
This is written like OJ Simpson's "If I did it this is what I would have done"
The IRA is hardcore.
The IRA is hardcore.
June 21, 2024
Not truly candid as it never could be, and while incredibly interesting, part of the allure was to see what wasn't said at times. Good read.
December 19, 2025
This is not a comfortable memoir.
It doesn’t try to be.
Before the Dawn reads like a man choosing his words carefully — sometimes too carefully — while walking through one of the most contested chapters of modern Irish history. Gerry Adams tells his story as he wants it remembered: formative years, political awakening, imprisonment, and the slow pivot from armed struggle to political strategy.
What makes this book compelling is also what makes it frustrating.
There is insight here. You get a clear sense of the discipline, the long-term thinking, and the absolute belief that history bends only if you push it hard enough and long enough. Adams is good at explaining why people felt driven to extremes, and he captures the mindset of a generation shaped by injustice, anger, and inherited memory.
But this is not a confessional.
There are silences.
There are careful omissions.
There are moments where the narrative glides past questions it clearly knows are waiting.
Reading this after years of living in Dublin — hearing stories in pubs, taxis, kitchens, and late-night conversations — you start to notice the gaps as much as the words. This book isn’t lying, exactly. It’s curating. And that curation tells its own story.
What emerges most strongly is the sense of patience. The idea that change was never meant to be fast, clean, or morally tidy. Adams frames the peace process not as a sudden moral awakening, but as the inevitable next move in a long political game. Whether you agree with that framing or not depends entirely on where you stand — and the book never pretends otherwise.
This is essential reading if you want to understand how Republican leadership saw itself, spoke to itself, and justified its choices. Just don’t expect closure, apology, or full transparency. That was never the point.
Important. Controlled. Uneasy.
A key voice — but very much one side of the fire.
It doesn’t try to be.
Before the Dawn reads like a man choosing his words carefully — sometimes too carefully — while walking through one of the most contested chapters of modern Irish history. Gerry Adams tells his story as he wants it remembered: formative years, political awakening, imprisonment, and the slow pivot from armed struggle to political strategy.
What makes this book compelling is also what makes it frustrating.
There is insight here. You get a clear sense of the discipline, the long-term thinking, and the absolute belief that history bends only if you push it hard enough and long enough. Adams is good at explaining why people felt driven to extremes, and he captures the mindset of a generation shaped by injustice, anger, and inherited memory.
But this is not a confessional.
There are silences.
There are careful omissions.
There are moments where the narrative glides past questions it clearly knows are waiting.
Reading this after years of living in Dublin — hearing stories in pubs, taxis, kitchens, and late-night conversations — you start to notice the gaps as much as the words. This book isn’t lying, exactly. It’s curating. And that curation tells its own story.
What emerges most strongly is the sense of patience. The idea that change was never meant to be fast, clean, or morally tidy. Adams frames the peace process not as a sudden moral awakening, but as the inevitable next move in a long political game. Whether you agree with that framing or not depends entirely on where you stand — and the book never pretends otherwise.
This is essential reading if you want to understand how Republican leadership saw itself, spoke to itself, and justified its choices. Just don’t expect closure, apology, or full transparency. That was never the point.
Important. Controlled. Uneasy.
A key voice — but very much one side of the fire.
March 31, 2018
A candid and personal account of events in Ulster throughout the late 60’s / 70’s. This is not a history book but rather a journal of events highlighting Adam’s humane dimension. With historical tragedies such as Northern Ireland, a manichaean judgement of “underdogs” and political activists, devoid of any context, is invariably a futile exercise.
April 9, 2018
Very Good Insight
I enjoyed this book as it gave what felt like an honest and descriptive account of life, particularly as a Catholic\Nationalist living in Belfast during the terrible times of the troubles.
I enjoyed this book as it gave what felt like an honest and descriptive account of life, particularly as a Catholic\Nationalist living in Belfast during the terrible times of the troubles.
January 25, 2020
Compelling
Gerry Adams is a compelling writer. Well worth the read. The struggles of his life and people is heartbreaking and hopeful.
Gerry Adams is a compelling writer. Well worth the read. The struggles of his life and people is heartbreaking and hopeful.
June 15, 2021
Good to read he other side of the story of the troubles rather than the media's version.
February 28, 2024
Biased, for sure - but Interesting and informative, at times a harrowing account of the Irish Republican plight. Bit of an elephant in the room though regarding the IRA
May 26, 2025
took me a while to get into. he does a great job of explaining the ordinary lives of those experiencing the troubles yet there’s only so much he can say considering he’s ’never been part of the IRA’🤫
July 15, 2025
DNF for now but I will finish later
November 6, 2025
Gerry Adams is so annoying to me
October 21, 2024
I lived in England from ‘77 to ‘82 and reporting on The Troubles always seemed to be the fault of the Republicans. I didn’t understand that the British Army supported the Unionists and committed such atrocities on the people. I will read more about this but at this moment I have changed my opinion on this issue. In the end, Northern Ireland should be reunited with Ireland and the British need to support them in their transition. The failure to support basic human rights is shameful and the commission of war crimes is despicable. The British government needs to stand up and admit their role in this tragedy and do what it right for the people of Northern Ireland!
January 21, 2012
Whatever one's opinion of his political views and efforts, it is readily apparent that Gerry Adams is a first-class writer and a committed activist. This book should be compulsory reading for anyone looking to understand the motivations of the Irish republican movement and the ongoing conflict in the northeast counties of Ireland.
June 21, 2015
A good overview of life in Northern Ireland in from the 1960s through 1995, from one who lived it and became passionately involved. Admittedly a biased viewpoint, and because it was written in 1995, somewhat dated, but still an important work.
September 12, 2016
leaves out a bunch since Big Gerry doesn't want people to think he was in the 'RA
looking at it from the perspective of a work meant to record history, it is obviously chock full of biases
still a proper decent read though, Gerry tells a good story
looking at it from the perspective of a work meant to record history, it is obviously chock full of biases
still a proper decent read though, Gerry tells a good story
November 18, 2016
Delicisionamente ben escrito.
Quédome co momento no que Gerry está na cadea e lle di ao pipiolo carceleiro inglés con elegancia que non esqueza nunca que eles son presos políticos, o día seguinte o tipo deixa o traballo de funcionario e volta a Inglaterra.
Quédome co momento no que Gerry está na cadea e lle di ao pipiolo carceleiro inglés con elegancia que non esqueza nunca que eles son presos políticos, o día seguinte o tipo deixa o traballo de funcionario e volta a Inglaterra.
July 5, 2007
Read for HI328: The Northern Ireland Problem
March 19, 2008
Just a very good read. Great insight and is very careful with the wording
May 1, 2011
Not a whole lot about him, more about the history. As one-sided as the black and white printer in work.
September 12, 2012
Excellent and very informative!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews