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Osprey Essential Histories #73
The Northern Ireland Troubles: 1969–2007
In this fully illustrated introduction, acclaimed historian Dr Aaron Edwards provides a concise overview of one of the most difficult and controversial actions in recent history.
Spanning 38 years of the 'Troubles', the British Army's deployment in Northern Ireland (codenamed Operation Banner ) was one of the most difficult and controversial in its recent history. Over 10,000 troops were on active service during much of the campaign, which saw armoured vehicles, helicopters and special forces deployed onto the streets of Ulster. In this book, Dr Aaron Edwards considers the strategic, operational and tactical aspects of Operation Banner, as the Army's military objectives morphed from high-profile peacekeeping into a covert war against the IRA. Using personal testimony from both sides of the sectarian divide, as well as insights from the soldiers themselves, he presents an authoritative introduction to the Army's role in the Troubles, providing expert analysis of Operation Banner 's successes and failures.
Updated and revised for the new edition, with full-colour maps and 50 new images, this is an accessible introduction to the complicated yet fascinating history of modern Britain's longest military campaign.
Spanning 38 years of the 'Troubles', the British Army's deployment in Northern Ireland (codenamed Operation Banner ) was one of the most difficult and controversial in its recent history. Over 10,000 troops were on active service during much of the campaign, which saw armoured vehicles, helicopters and special forces deployed onto the streets of Ulster. In this book, Dr Aaron Edwards considers the strategic, operational and tactical aspects of Operation Banner, as the Army's military objectives morphed from high-profile peacekeeping into a covert war against the IRA. Using personal testimony from both sides of the sectarian divide, as well as insights from the soldiers themselves, he presents an authoritative introduction to the Army's role in the Troubles, providing expert analysis of Operation Banner 's successes and failures.
Updated and revised for the new edition, with full-colour maps and 50 new images, this is an accessible introduction to the complicated yet fascinating history of modern Britain's longest military campaign.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionIreland
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Edwards
33 books19 followersWelcome to my Goodreads Page!
I’m a reader first and a writer second.
My several books include the critically acclaimed Mad Mitch’s Tribal Law: Aden and the End of Empire (Transworld Books, 2014; paperback 2015) and UVF: Behind the Mask (Merrion Press, 2017).
I have taught in the Faculty for the Study of Leadership, Security and Warfare at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since 2008, traveling the world to instruct on global security challenges, including terrorism, war and peace.
In my spare time beyond reading, writing and teaching I love walking, trekking and running.
I’m a reader first and a writer second.
My several books include the critically acclaimed Mad Mitch’s Tribal Law: Aden and the End of Empire (Transworld Books, 2014; paperback 2015) and UVF: Behind the Mask (Merrion Press, 2017).
I have taught in the Faculty for the Study of Leadership, Security and Warfare at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since 2008, traveling the world to instruct on global security challenges, including terrorism, war and peace.
In my spare time beyond reading, writing and teaching I love walking, trekking and running.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 27, 2023
(3.75 Star Rating)
A good book, providing a good oversight into the Northern Ireland Troubles, including the background to it, the different sects and forces involved, and the broader political, both nationally and internationally, elements.
I liked the timeline at the start and I think it tried its best to make sense of all of the different players on the scene. The images and visuals were helpful in breaking up alot of the text, but did it give it a bit of a textbook feel ( which I think it literally potentially is, so I can't hold this against it lol)
A fault of my own in that I didn't realise this focused so heavily on the 'military/ operational' aspect of the conflict, which I'm less personally interested in and so thus was harder for me to keep track of all the different groups / dynamics. But I actually think it was good to read something I wouldn't naturally gravitate too in this way, as it gave me a more practical and factual understanding of the conflict, rather than more political or ethnic - identity driven analysis.
I mean it's obviously outdated in bits due to it being published in 2011, particularly in its reference to Afghanistan and Iraq. But that doesn't take away from the substance of its analysis of the events that happened in Northern Ireland itself, most of which I believe is still the most current thinking.
A good book, providing a good oversight into the Northern Ireland Troubles, including the background to it, the different sects and forces involved, and the broader political, both nationally and internationally, elements.
I liked the timeline at the start and I think it tried its best to make sense of all of the different players on the scene. The images and visuals were helpful in breaking up alot of the text, but did it give it a bit of a textbook feel ( which I think it literally potentially is, so I can't hold this against it lol)
A fault of my own in that I didn't realise this focused so heavily on the 'military/ operational' aspect of the conflict, which I'm less personally interested in and so thus was harder for me to keep track of all the different groups / dynamics. But I actually think it was good to read something I wouldn't naturally gravitate too in this way, as it gave me a more practical and factual understanding of the conflict, rather than more political or ethnic - identity driven analysis.
I mean it's obviously outdated in bits due to it being published in 2011, particularly in its reference to Afghanistan and Iraq. But that doesn't take away from the substance of its analysis of the events that happened in Northern Ireland itself, most of which I believe is still the most current thinking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2014
A good, fair history of the military operation here. Does not go easy on the IRA, and good for him!
Liked it.
Liked it.
February 9, 2019
A very good overview of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Operation Banner and the signing of the Good Friday agreement.
Whilst being short on space the author manages to convey some of the actions of all groups involved during the long period of the Troubles. There is definitely a concentration of the security forces (as opposed to the civilian casualties) but the author doesn't shy away from this area either and makes it clear that attacks on non-combatants occured throughout the period.
There is a stark reminder that the Peace Process did not make miracle workers out of the participants, or that this peace can be replicated elsewhere in the world where there are similar conflicts between groups on religious or historical grounds; but it does explain some of the reasons that NI got to the Good Friday Agreement and the end of hostilities.
A very good book, and of particular interest to me. I am British / Irish and when visiting Irish relatives during this period, my father could not join us. It was a stark introduction to a world that isn't always as safe as it should be.
Whilst being short on space the author manages to convey some of the actions of all groups involved during the long period of the Troubles. There is definitely a concentration of the security forces (as opposed to the civilian casualties) but the author doesn't shy away from this area either and makes it clear that attacks on non-combatants occured throughout the period.
There is a stark reminder that the Peace Process did not make miracle workers out of the participants, or that this peace can be replicated elsewhere in the world where there are similar conflicts between groups on religious or historical grounds; but it does explain some of the reasons that NI got to the Good Friday Agreement and the end of hostilities.
A very good book, and of particular interest to me. I am British / Irish and when visiting Irish relatives during this period, my father could not join us. It was a stark introduction to a world that isn't always as safe as it should be.
May 13, 2025
An excellent short primer for anyone heading to Ulster to learn about the troubles or if you just want to understand the subject better - it’s very recent but already myths abound - this book is not that - it’s v true to the core details of its subject. Also packed with maps and pictures.
December 25, 2025
positive
Great essentials histories about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Edwards does a fantastic job giving history buffs factual information about this particular time in history .
Great essentials histories about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Edwards does a fantastic job giving history buffs factual information about this particular time in history .
April 8, 2020
Good book, was hoping for a little more of the story from an Irish perspective
May 1, 2019
Coming in with little to no knowledge of the history of Northern Ireland, this short accompaniment is a thorough starting point for one to understand the basic background that led to the quarter-century long conflict, the horror that entails it, and how the Protestants and Catholics reached an uneasy and fragile peace. It would be best, though, for one to expand their scholarly understanding through other means, were they to further understand Northern Ireland at hand. The author constantly referred "The Trouble with Guns" by journalist Malachi O'Doherty in this work, so perhaps that is a place to start. In light of the renewed sectarian conflict in the wake of Brexit and the death of journalist Lyra McKee, this work should come to the limelight once more, lest we repeated the mistakes of the past again.
November 28, 2013
Every Osprey book should be as enlightening & well written as this one.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews