Living with Ghosts - The Inside Story from a 'Troubles' Mind

by Brian Rowan

In Living With Ghosts renowned veteran journalist Brian Rowan retraces his steps through Northern Ireland’s conflict years, as he bravely delves into the darkness of those times. His story takes us beyond the often strict boundaries of the news into the very real dilemmas and fears behind its scenes. In his journalistic career Rowan walked the thinnest of lines, where morals and principles were blurred, and as a result his mind became tortured. This book is an explanation, not a confession. He goes deep into his contacts with the IRA, the loyalist organisations, MI5, Special Branch, the army, and the many other players in the conflict period. And he joins the dots on a path out of ‘war’ in a place that has not yet found peace of mind. Rowan thinks and writes inside a moral maze, and in this book he invites us into his nightmares of remembering and to times he will never forget. Living with Ghosts is a moving and deeply personal account of one man’s doubts and decisions, and the challenges of reporting a war on his doorstep.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2022

Reviews

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is easily read but not an easy read. It is not a straightforward autobiography, but a political journalist turning his own inquisitorial and investigative skills on himself and his memories, getting behind what happened (in a rough chronological order) to the whys, wherefores and what-nexts, and offering a knowingly fractured and incomplete record of the past. He refers to his lack of engagement with a counsellor on a couple of occasions and that shows. There is no doubt that, in many ways, this is a written form of PTSD, but I suspect Barney recognises that this, and the circumstances that produced it are not, and should not be accepted as normal, even though he might wonder what life would be like without these ghosts. I would be interested to discuss with him whether he "deserves" to be at peace, or whether, like many reflective former combatants, he carries thes memories with him penitentially like the chains on Marley's ghost. He makes radical, but important recommendations regarding dealing with the pain of our province's past. I hope that our political leaders do something, even at those late stage to address this, but I am no more convinced that they will do so, than the author will seek the help he needs!

[Senioreuge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This came very close to getting 5 stars, very little new is covered in this excellent work but what makes it special is the felling he pours into his re-examination of some very significant events. The sub-title should perhaps read The Inside Story from a "Troubled" Mind. For it is clear that the Ghosts are still very real for Barney. This work connects well with "Forgetful Remembrance" and the "Ghost Limb", both examining how communities can create a sort of hiding place from their history by replacing it with a more convenient narrative; however Barney can't achieve this, his ghosts are haunting him. Perhaps he'll just continue to leave chalk marks on walls that we all can follow.

[Blamelouis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating

Brian Rowan lifts the veil on the behind the scenes stories that were never told and gives his insight into how we complete the transition from murder and mayhem into a LASTING peace .

[Dearbhla O’Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Érin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5