Power Play: The Rise of Modern Sinn Féin

by Deaglan De Breadun

This is the first comprehensive analysis of how Sinn Féin has transformed itself from ‘political wing’ of the Republican movement to a mainstream force in Irish politics. In this book by one of Ireland’s leading political journalists, Deaglán de Bréadún provides an incisive account of how the party has arrived at a position, in the space of one generation, where it is in power north of the border and knocking on the door of government in the south.

Despite recent controversies and scandals arising from alleged sexual abuse by republican activists, and the violent legacies of the Troubles, the party has maintained its popularity. The outsiders have now become insiders in the political game. How did this dramatic transformation come about?

Based on detailed research as well as interviews with a wide range of figures inside Sinn Féin and across the Irish political spectrum, Deaglán de Bréadún unveils a fascinating and indispensable analysis of a party that has come in from the cold. The book also draws on the author’s experiences covering the Northern Ireland peace process as well as politics in the Republic for many years, to reveal the most fascinating and unmissable political story of 2015.

Genres: Ireland, Politics, Nonfiction

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2015

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quite average journalistic-style book, heavier on the reportage than the analysis. Aimed at a domestic Irish readership; I suspect others will find themselves confused at many points if they don't have a decent knowledge of Irish politics already. Meanwhile those of us who do will find a lot of familiar ground tread over again here without a great deal of new insight. Still, there are worthwhile segments of the book that make it worth the read, notably the attention paid to the struggles of Sinn Fein to develop and elucidate an economic platform in the Republic sufficiently Left, but not too Left, as it shifts focus from the North and the comparatively simpler military struggle over partition, and the internal debates over whether the future of the party is best served by remaining in opposition in the Republic while it continues to grow, or risk its future by becoming the junior partner in a coalition government, giving it power in government in both the Republic and the North, a seductive thought indeed.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty terrible book. The editing is awful, the chapters jump around randomly from 2011 to an interview, to 2007 to abstention debates to 2002. Plus despite being a respected journalist, the author has nothing new or interesting to say. Most of the facts could be found in a Google search or reading Wikipedia

[Donal Patrick Ocallaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never was so much owed by so many to so few🇮🇪

A fascinating insight of the ascendancy of Sinn Fein into the global political arena of today’s pluralist society⁉️ ERIN ABU 🇮🇪