The Northern Ireland Conflict: A Beginner's Guide

Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications)

by Aaron Edwards, Cillian McGrattan

The Northern Ireland conflict was the most protracted campaign of terrorist violence in modern history. This landmark introduction uses interviews and the latest archival material to chart the history of �The Troubles” and examine their legacy. Exploring the effects of sectarian violence, international intervention, and community relations programs, this book extends beyond the usual clichés found elsewhere.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2010

About the author

Welcome 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.

Reviews

[Emilija · Rating 2 out of 5]

For being such an interesting topic, this book was difficult to read and rather dry. It also lacked detail on both the role of Sinn Fein and the Blair government. To this point, it is a rather abrupt ending. There are much better books for beginners on the topic of Northern Ireland and "The Troubles".

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's important to start with a reminder that this book is just a beginner's guide. It's not a full and comprehensive picture of Northern Ireland and the Troubles. The issue itself is so complex and multilayered that I think the beginner's guide was never going to feel enough. It's good for putting in place certain dates and names and to give a quick overview of the subject. I feel if anyone's looking to learn more, gather more knowledge, a more involved reading is required.

[Sandrine Pal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been mainlining information about the Troubles for about two months now and it's hard to say whether this book hit the right notes because I'm beginning to be semi-literate on the topic, or because it is just that well written and organized. I listened to the audiobook and even in that format the chronology was clear, as were the parenthetical profiles of key players. Perhaps this book felt especially helpful because it does not deal in anecdotes. In some cases, that might be what brings history to life, but for my part, I appreciated a no-frills approach that gives a clear bird's-eye view of those 5+ decades.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the fact that the book goes beyond the Good Friday Agreement but I think it's too short. The history of the Troubles, though it happend in a short period of time, includes a vast number of events. People will need more background information in order to grasp the concept of the Troubles and the Peace Process.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content in this book is extremely interesting, and having a connection with that region through ancestral connections, I was really looking forward to the back stories. I, unfortunately 'read' this book via audiobook, and I must say the narrator, Richard Aspel, ruined it for me. I will go back and read the hard copy to see if I change my view.

[Warren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very informative and seemed to remain objective, but I found it a little too dry to enjoy as an audiobook. It played a little like a Wikipedia article at times, presenting fact after fact, event after event with little attempt to draw the reader in. The most interesting part were the latter chapters which gave a more holistic anaylsis of the conflict as well as viewing it through various academic theories: Marxist, feminist, ethno-nationalist.