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Bandit Country| Media: | Paperback | | Author: | Toby Harnden | | Publisher: | Hodder & Stoughton | | Release date: | 01 September, 2000 | | List price: | $14.99 |
| Our price: | $10.19 that is 32% off! |
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Very interesting, but a little disorganized |
An terrific description of the IRA's history and recent operations in South Armagh, one of the most notorious areas of Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Admirable both for its attention to technical and tactical detail -- what makes a good sniper's rifle, how do the IRA stage a sniper's attack (it takes up to 20 people), the meticulous care that went into some of their ambushes -- and for its ability not to take sides, even though the author's newspaper would clearly be associated with the British establishment. It really makes you feel what it was like to be on the ground, and gives you a great understanding of how the region's history of ungovernability relates to the events of the Troubles.
I have two criticisms, neither of them major. First, although it's a gripping read and each paragraph seems to follow from the previous one, on a chapter-by-chapter scale it's a bit disorganized. One chapter, dealing with the Kingsmill massacre and other events over the course of several years, is entitled "A long-awaited day", but never identifies which day in particular it's talking about. Second, it's all about military operations by the IRA in South Armagh and doesn't attempt to deal with the internal politics of Sinn Fein or the IRA. Given the huge temperamental and historical differences between South Armagh on the one hand and the Belfast and Derry brigades, you leave the book surprised that Tom "Slab" Murphy and Gerry Adams were ever in the same organisation, let alone that South Armagh stuck with the Adams/McGuinness leadership through the change to a political approach.
But these are quibbles. This is an excellent book, unsurpassed as a description of the war on the ground. Recommended. |
| Bandit Country - Toby Harnden |
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A Winner |
| I found it very hard to put this book down at times. Toby Harnden approaches the subject in a thoroughly professional manner and reveals no bias for any side in his excellent book. Should be required reading for any student of Irish history. |
| Toby Harnden - Bandit Country |
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At last something that leaves the cities |
| OK, so the main battles that resulted in political breakthroughs were in the cities, but nonetheless, the county of South Armagh played an important role in the Northern Ireland Conflict. Reading books about the city operations in Belfast and Derry tends to get the reader more involved in the politics of the conflict than the actual day-to-day operations that the British Army and the IRA were involved in. By looking at this particular county, we can see how its fierce republicanism has helped to shape the conflict as a whole. This was where many of the British troops in Northern Ireland were killed and it became one of the most dangerous places to serve in in the British Army. This book gives a balanced view from all sides and even includes views from the SAS and undercover RUC units. A must read! |
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