This is probably one of the most detailed accounts of Northern Ireland's troubles
during the past three decades. It has a comprehensive chronology and a very good glossary in the appendix.
Beginning with the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the deployment of British troops in Northern Ireland
in 1969, the troubles started and have cost the lives of c. 3000 civilians and troops respectively. Mistakes and
misjudgements have been made on all sides, the Unionists, the nationalists or the British and Irish
governments. Internment and the event around the Bloody Sunday are London's responsibilities, whereas numerous
killings and bombings (Omagh, Warrington, Birmingham etc.etc) have been committed by the IRA, the UVF, UDA or
other paramilitary splintergroups. In order to contain violence and broker some sort of ceasefire or peace, many
attempts in that direction have been made, among which are the Sunningdale Agreement, the Anglo-Irish
Agreement and the latest and most promising one, the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. If the latter
is to succeed is still to be seen, mainly depending on the issue of arms decommissioning by the IRA.
I can warmly recommend this book to any teacher who wants to offer a course on Northern Ireland.
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