Error of judgement: The truth about the Birmingham bombings

by Chris Mullin

Book by Chris Mullin

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Ireland

415 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 1986

About the author

Chris Mullin is the former MP for Sunderland South, a journalist and author. His books include the first volume of his acclaimed diaries, A View From the Foothills. He also wrote the thriller, A Very British Coup, with the television version winning BAFTA and Emmy awards. He was a minister in three departments, Environment, Transport and Regions, International Development and The Foreign Office.

Reviews

[Gerard Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear concise but passionate dissection of the crown case against the Birmingham Six. Essential reading for anyone interested in miscarriages of justice, England in the 70s and the IRA threat. What struck me most was the Kafkaesque refusal by the authorities to accept that they got it wrong.
The Birmingham Six eventually got their belated justice. Now with recent news that there is to be a new investigation the 21 victims of the bombings must get theirs too.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The version I read was from 1989 which meant the innocent Birmingham Six still had two more years in prison. This is a superb book which documents the events of the Birmingham pub bombings and beyond right up to the time that Chris Mullin meets one of the actual bombers. A must read, it shows what happens when fear takes over and the political need for "something to be done" is so high that facts and the truth are ignored

[Andrew Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nightmarish illustration of our judicial system failing at every single level. This is truly the stuff of nightmares. It matters not that these men were ultimately declared innocent. They were destroyed. Read this book and pinch yourself that this travesty did actually happen. And it seems that those individuals who failed in their duties, including senior judges, escaped censure. Grotesque and shocking.

[Michael Pittuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenally well-written book. It’s easy to see now the quality and clarity of journalism can have such an impact and it takes some balls to take such clarity to the people that need, but don’t necessarily want, to hear it.

[Harry Hipkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't remember even buying this one, but I passed my degree so it can't be that bad!