Customer Reviews

Before the Dawn: An Autobiography

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Gerry Adams has set out to write an autobiography. In the process, he has accomplished also writing a history book. This book demonstrates and details the life of a man who questions the systems justices and dares to speak out against those who would oppress his people. The life he has described (being on the run, being locked up in the Kesh, etc) could be used to describe the lives of the countless dissidents who take a stand for nationalism everyday. As an Irishman who does not support Sinn Fein (Adams' Political Party) or the so called Belfast Agreement, I still have respect for the accomplishments Adams made to the movement in the important 1969-1996 years. To those who would label the likes of Adams a terrorist, I remind them that he is no more a terrorist than George Washington or Thomas Jefferson would have been during the American Revolution for Independence. It has been said, "One man's terrorist, is another man's freedom fighter." Only history will show which he will be remembered for.

It's hard to write a review of this book without taking sides. When I got back from a trip to Ireland this past August (I stayed in County Tyrone in the North with relatives of my mom's), I started to read a lot about the politics of the North. This was one of the books I read. "Before the Dawn" is a relatively quick read, but it will not provide one with the overall historical background behind the Troubles (the conflict goes back hundreds of years starting with the Potato Famine of 1845-49, and even earlier than that). However, Adams does describe in great detail the British Army raids during times of Internment, the torture that internees had to endure (how would you like it if someone blindfolded you, made you walk across glass and nails and such while beating you and then put you on a helicopter, and then pushed you off, not knowing if you were a mere 8 feet off the ground or several hundered?). For a more balanced view of the Troubles, try reading John Conroy's "Belfast Diary". Conroy is an American journalist who spent 1977-82 in West Belfast. It's also a very gritty, steet-level account. As for the IRA's kneecappings, it should be noted that most locals did approve of them, because Catholics felt they couln't go to the British RUC.

Gerry Adams is a national hero to my people and this book is very accurate of the situation in my island. In response to the comments of fragmeister from Bournemouth, I think he is a typical ignorant English man, analysing the situation from a distance and making rash statements. I would love to see where he got his figures from because most of the people of Northern Ireland want to be freed from English oppression and nearly all the people from the South want the same. The British government forced the republican movement to be by being imperialist bullies in the past and holding on to land that simply isn't theirs. I could go on with this argument all day but I won't. Fragmeister, try living here and see what the British government have done to my people and you won't put down a man like Gerry Adams. This book is a good read, not great, but written by a hero and should be appreciated by all.

The deeply rooted history of Ireland and its manifestation in the "troubles" makes it impossible for anyone to write a purely objective analysis of cause and effect. Instead, those with genuine interest must read a selection of accounts, each with a different bias. Before The Dawn is definitely one to include. It is both a political justification for active republicanism and the account of the growth of republicanism into main stream politics. Gerry Adams is articulate and very intelligent. He is very coy about the IRA activities (not so, about the "Crown" - the RUC, British Army, Loyalists) but there is no hiding of desire for resolution of the conflict. At times the book is confusing as there are so many names thrown at you. Adams covers the Hunger strike with a deep emotional perspective. Its obviously an event which has had a significant impact on shaping his direction. I enjoyed it and learnt from it, but its not the definitive book!

Much is known of Gerry Adams, statesman, man of peace, friend of the stars. Less well known perhaps is Adams the artist. Adams is perhaps best known for not being a member of the IRA, and yet so vivid are his descriptions of the IRA's struggle against violence, that it is almost as if he were there in the room as they deliberated. The book comes at a crucial juncture, and reminds us that all that peace does not just happen, but must be seized. No man is better placed to truly take that peace.

"Before the Dawn" is the autobiography of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. I feel that it is an essential book for anyone who is interested in the Irish conflict. Adams writes with great skill and his views and comments are intelligent and humoristic at times. I think any reader who enjoys biographys will find this one to be exciting and meaningful, even if they are not well informed about the situation in Ireland. My only regret is the fact that the book ends in the early eighties, thus, leaving the reader a bit frustrated and curious about the happenings of more recent times. All in all - an outstanding effort.

I read this book in hardcover, & must confess that I don't think Adams is as good a writer as many have said. Newcomers to northern Irish history will have to make extensive use of the glossary at the back (this feature seems ubiquitous in the genre), & almost everyone should be disappointed that the book ends in 1981.

Still, there are good insights -- e.g., the first glimpses into Adams's life on the run, and at his wife, as well a sense of his development over time.

But I recommend another Adams book more. It was recommended to me by an Irish law professor that I trust from Trinity College, Dublin. It's a tough-to-find book (not sure if Amazon has it) that's gone through several reworkings, & was most recently titled "Free Ireland: Toward A Lasting Peace." It's not an autobiography, but a sort of Sinn Fein manifesto on every Irish issue imaginable, and whether you agree with it or not, it provides much more insight into Adams' life work (as well as covering time up to the mid-1990s). It requires even more extensive use of the glossary in the back, but yields far more satisfying results.

This book has perphaps been unduly flattered by those sympathetic to Mr Adams politics but it is a very worthwhile account of the Northern Irish struggle and details graphic accounts of the West Belfast massacre which took place on the 9th of July 1972 when British Troops murdered civilians at random in West Belfast.

There is surprisingly no similar account of the first West Belfast massacre which was more or less in the same place and within the chronology of the period covered by the book. Mr Adams also neglects to cover the agitational city centre bombing campaign by the IRA and while this didn't kill anybody, his book gives the impression that the republican response to British barbarities was almost negligible.

It is a worthwhile companion to any chronology or academic text. It also mentions the Catholic Coates enclave which was razed which is a almost forgotten moment in history and helped set the mood together with other atrocities against catholics such as the East Belfast attempted pogrom and the Rape of the Falls. It is the sort of book any politician might be expected to write and in mr Adams case his subject matter is far more interesting than the usual fare.

Being a fairly prolific writer Gerry Adams has set about giving us some insights into the world in which Gerry Adams lived and grew up in and the events that shaped the man he would become. Obviously being an autobiography it is his account of events that he gives us but that is helpful in looking at who he is given the sometimes overwhelming vitriol put forth by the English and those opposed to Gerry Adams political goals.

This book could remove some of the prejudices that exist against the leadership of Sinn Fein. First though some will have to get past their preconcived notions. Mr. Adams does present a case for the ability of both sides to function in a governmental structure and in a society. I would suggest you start with his earlier books to see his progression of politiical thought. If he is a terrorist, he has been created by the British.