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Haughey
With exclusive access to the Haughey archives, Gary Murphy presents a reassessment of Charles Haughey’s life and legacy.
Saint or sinner? He was the most talented and influential politician of his generation, and his presence still looms over the Irish body politic, yet the very roots of his success – his charisma, his intelligence, his ruthlessness, his secrecy – have rendered almost impossible any objective evaluation of his life and work. He is, depending on whom you ask, either the great villain of Irish political life or the benevolent and forward-thinking savior of a benighted nation.
That is, until now. Based on unfettered access to Haughey’s personal archives, as well as extensive interviews with over 80 of his peers, rivals, confidantes and relatives, Haughey is a rich and nuanced portrait of a man of prodigious gifts, who, for all his flaws and many contradictions, came to define modern Ireland.
"A superbly balanced exploration of the life and politics of one of the most fascinating figures in 20th century Ireland." - Professor John Horgan
Saint or sinner? He was the most talented and influential politician of his generation, and his presence still looms over the Irish body politic, yet the very roots of his success – his charisma, his intelligence, his ruthlessness, his secrecy – have rendered almost impossible any objective evaluation of his life and work. He is, depending on whom you ask, either the great villain of Irish political life or the benevolent and forward-thinking savior of a benighted nation.
That is, until now. Based on unfettered access to Haughey’s personal archives, as well as extensive interviews with over 80 of his peers, rivals, confidantes and relatives, Haughey is a rich and nuanced portrait of a man of prodigious gifts, who, for all his flaws and many contradictions, came to define modern Ireland.
"A superbly balanced exploration of the life and politics of one of the most fascinating figures in 20th century Ireland." - Professor John Horgan
608 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 5, 2022
Balanced account of the life of arguably the most significant figure in Irish politics in the late 20th century. The book gives equal billing to Haughey's flaws and achievements
December 10, 2025
Drawing on Haughey's personal archive, this book should become the definitive biography of the most divisive figure in 20th-century Ireland. Whilst there's nothing dramatically new to reveal, Murphy covers all the major elements of Haughey's career - the Arms trial, the Doherty tapes, the various heaves against him, and the subsequent McCracken and Moriarty tribunals. He also reminds us of his strongly held belief in support of the arts throughout his career, as well as his attempts to get the basis of a peace process in place in Northern Ireland.
A well-written biography of a controversial figure.
A well-written biography of a controversial figure.
November 1, 2022
Good chronological review of Haugheys life; not convinced that is how it should have been written however. Includes the shade thrown on Haugheys life towards the end of the book and only comments on what was included in tribunals, i.e. no additional insights. I feel it would have been better to include the areas of tribunal concern contemporaneously to contextualise the thinking, decisions and pressure H was under at the time.
It also reads like the author was a fan which colours the narrative positivity in Haughey's favor overall but that might be just my subjective view.
It is definitely worth a read however and it rips along for a 700+ page book. If you are into politics it is entirely captivating.
It also reads like the author was a fan which colours the narrative positivity in Haughey's favor overall but that might be just my subjective view.
It is definitely worth a read however and it rips along for a 700+ page book. If you are into politics it is entirely captivating.
January 6, 2022
A very fair account of his life and political career, not the usual hatchet job one normally gets when Haughey is the subject and a great trip down memory lane for an inner city kid who grew up in those turbulent times. Never given the credit his many achievments deserved.
January 8, 2025
phenomenal detail and a story well told
Really enjoyed this book, particularly the story woven with such detail and context. I’ll be reading again as there’s so much detail to absorb!
Really enjoyed this book, particularly the story woven with such detail and context. I’ll be reading again as there’s so much detail to absorb!
July 13, 2025
A great review of the personal life of Charles J Haughey, the book probably focused too much on the happenings of Haughey’s life after he became Taoiseach rather than on government decisions. Nevertheless both aspects are articulated and illustrated well by Murphy.
February 3, 2022
Enlightening and a different view to the common narrative around the Haughey era.
April 28, 2022
A must read for anyone with an interest in modern Irish history, it’s a very comprehensive work with everything and anything in it, well written, well researched, broad, what’s not to like?
July 14, 2022
Absolutely wonderful. So well researched and written. Very balanced. A terrific read
August 1, 2022
An interesting book, probably a bit biased in the pro Haughey corner but good nonetheless
December 9, 2023
Enjoyed this overview of Haughey‘s life as well as the political overview it provided of that era. -1 due to perceived author bias, worth the read.
April 7, 2025
Feels like the editors just gave up 🙃
December 30, 2021
Very comprehensive account of Haugheys life.
A compelling character who was in the middle of some of the biggest stories / controversy in modern Irish political history
Would recommend it
A compelling character who was in the middle of some of the biggest stories / controversy in modern Irish political history
Would recommend it
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews