gfiore11's review against another edition

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adventurous informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

A gripping account of a fascinating period in history. Told with skill by an author who has crafted the art of weaving a story. 

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sporadic_user's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

4.0

A powerful book about awful acts of violence, in a seemingly unending cycle of retribution. Keefe masterfully conveys the inner worlds and fierce beliefs of a suprisingly small cast actors in the troubles, illustrating the many changes throughout it's beginnings, height and end.

For those normally turned off by acciuntings of history, Keefes writing style will be a welcome, gripping narrative rendition of events.

In particular, the inner motivations of the depicted are so well articulated that it can become hard hold on to an objective view oneself. Much like these real people, you can get caught up in their personal views and their cycles of violence. You can get insight into how the peace process could be reviled by the very people who wanted to stop fighting themselves. You might even find yourself condemning the very people who ended the conflict, only to realize that this exact thinking is what kept the conflict alive.

This book can be hard to read because of its subject matter, but it thoroughly demystifies the origins, staying power and legacy of the troubles.

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sunflower_13's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative medium-paced

4.75

Great narrator and even better storytelling of true events. I think this is a book I’ll read the physical version as well as there apparently are several notes which aren’t included in the audiobook.

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akswhy's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative tense slow-paced

3.5

A wildly comprehensive book on a notoriously difficult to tackle subject. I learned TONS, but I think the book was too long. It could have been trimmed down. 

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mondovertigo's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

5.0


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mimi_t22's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

Dua Lipa's book club for the win. I knew next to nothing of "The Troubles" and had very basic knowledge of the IRA and the whole thing. This book was so interesting, compelling & hooks you right from the beginning, it's a beautiful and horrific portrayal of what it means to be human. It really paints the picture of what it was to be a citizen in the island and how interconnected everything seems to be, and how the repercussions can still be felt today. Seriously gripping, entertainment and knowledgeable.  I don't give it five stars, mostly because it takes a long time to get through it. The names, places and  dates are very well laid out but I had to stop multiple times to  go back and check some of the notes and resources and so it took me a long time to read and process and sometimes even then I would get confused a bit, which totally makes sense because it's a complex story and also I get the stylistic choice of using an Irish accent for the audiobook but that def did not help me.

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finknight's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative fast-paced

5.0

an incredibly important, unapologetic, and impartial account of the troubles and ireland. the book jumps around between narratives of key individuals but in a manner which is not confusing but aids the narrative, which all comes together cohesively. utterly recommend; even, and especially, for those who know little about ireland & history but are looking to learn!!

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hellavaral's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.25


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akgrantmatz's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.25


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superstormnora's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Interesting book about violence in Northern Ireland and the people involved in the Troubles. 

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