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michelleks's review against another edition
5.0
The author tackles this difficult topic with a surprising objectivity and sense of understanding for the people involved and the people affected. He asks a telling question, “who should be held accountable for a shared history of violence?” Everyone is damaged and everyone is accountable. At the end, it is easy to conclude that violence accomplishes nothing but more violence, and as humans we need to find other means to settle conflict. With this lesson, the lives of the lost and damaged, will not be in vain.
keenmf's review against another edition
5.0
“Northern reticence, the tight gag of place
And times: yes, yes. Of the 'wee six' I sing
Where to be saved you only must save face
And whatever you say, you say nothing.”
- Seamus Heaney 1975
And times: yes, yes. Of the 'wee six' I sing
Where to be saved you only must save face
And whatever you say, you say nothing.”
- Seamus Heaney 1975
dmbcrush91103's review against another edition
5.0
I have never read non-fiction so fast in my life. I felt intimidated by the number of pages and thought I’d be reading this for months but I read it in about a week. This is the most exceptional book I have ever read. It’s so incredibly compelling and reads like narrative fiction but it is such dense, incredibly well-researched history. Absolutely riveting.
michellegotto's review against another edition
4.0
The mystery of what happened to Jean McConnville, mother of 10, is deeply disturbing, and is wrapped up with The Troubles of Northern Ireland. The conflict is complex, and Radden Keefe does a lovely job of telling through a handful of well-known IRA members, specifically the Price sisters. There are parallels here between our current struggles and The Troubles, and the Price sisters make sympathetic, if ethically dubious, characters. There are no clear answers here, and some people get away with murder. But asking the question, "what would YOU do about an occupying force?" feels particularly relevant today.
ronitamohan_louisskye's review against another edition
4.0
Seriously detailed retelling of the Troubles in Ireland. I did want a bit more focus on the mystery that set up the book but to get a chronological understanding of all the political and violent upheaval in Ireland and the continuing consequences (or lack there of) was very interesting and harrowing.
mjminkowich's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
petertruog's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Back to back PRK books for me. The history in this book was excellent, and the way the book wrapped up really hit me. The evolution showing the fervent belief of many of the people profiled when they were young, and how their feelings about their revolutionary commitment and actions changed over time was so dramatic. The contracts between people like Price and Hughes vs. Adams was so vivid to me, and it struck me how some can feel no qualms about warping the truth while others will look back on what they did with such a different lens than they used to view their actions at the time. Additionally, the institutional dynamic of having BC involved was fascinating. I didn't realize how much the ripples of this continued even into the early 2000s. Great read.
zerozerozero's review against another edition
5.0
This is a cracking, well written overview of the Troubles, that manages to sum up the overacting conflict without forgetting the people on the ground.