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caitlingf90's review against another edition
5.0
Read for book club. This was an absolutely fascinating read, well researched and interestingly presented. I’m ashamed to say I knew less than nothing about the Troubles before reading this book and would never have picked it up of my own accord, so I’m grateful to my friend for picking it. It’s shocking that such recent history isn’t talked about more, especially when the effects continue to be felt. Absolutely brilliant read, dense in places but well told, and gripping. 9/10
abbyhoovs's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely excellent work of non fiction. I knew little to nothing about the troubles going into this book and I walk away feeling the need to know even more. Not because the book wasn't overflowing with information, which it was, but because it was so fascinating I'm still hungry for more. The author is as objective as possible-- not over romanticizing the attempted revolution of the provisional army, while still making the reader understand the passion behind their extremism. The moment I began to rationalize their violence I was brought back to earth by the devastation of the affected families, namely Jean McConville's family. I listened to the audio book which was narrated by Matthew Blaney, whose Northern Irish accent added even more authenticity to the experience. He did a wonderful job narrating a fantastic book.
sincerelylogan's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Patrick Radden Keefe solves a murder. I cannot fangirl hard enough for the beauty of his investigative writing: part IRA history, part murder mystery, and part commentary on an interesting legal battle surrounding academic IP, this is an all around great piece of nonfiction. I have spent a lot of time studying violent movements, and this is a unique vantage point into “how people become radicalized in their uncompromising devotion to a cause, and about how individuals—and a whole society—make sense of political violence once they have passed through the crucible.”
chasejon's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.25
Classic PRK. Solid book, fairly dense, but a very interesting and well-researched set of intertwining stories. I feel like I walked away with a solid and nuanced understanding of the Troubles. Audiobook has an Irish accent which is kind of fun, but I preferred the paperback. Last 100 pages are notes, so much shorter than it appears.
harphoover's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Some of the best storytelling and research I’ve ever read! This book is engaging, exciting and taught me way more about the Troubles than I anticipated, while keeping people and humanity at the center of the story. I highly recommend this book!!
jsoakes's review against another edition
4.0
Very dense, but still engaging. (The notes section was probably 100 pages). There is a ton of information shoved in here, but also a ton of speculation. He's very clear about what he has a reference for and what he doesn't, but he's also very clear about what he believes to be true. This is not a comprehensive history of the IRA or the Troubles and I think it might've helped to read more about the big events in history prior to diving into this. This is the story of one family and how they were affected by the IRA in Ireland, but it jumps around quite a bit to give background into some of the major players of the IRA and Irish politics through the years. Fascinating read.