Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life (Paperback)

by John Conroy (Author)
Key Phrases: electricity service, joyriding incidents, been kneecapped, Northern Ireland, Springfield Road, Cupar Street (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Perhaps more than any book in the recent spate of writing about the conflict in Northern Ireland, Conroy's account conveys a street-level atmosphere and provides a context in which ordinary people are seen and heard. A Chicago journalist, the author lived in West Belfast in 1980 and returned in later years to gather material. He lived in the small, working-class Catholic district of Clonard where he found his neighbors haunted by myths, legends and history, their lives defined by civil war and the lot of being Irish. In Conroy's view there is "encroaching similarity" between Protestant and Catholic communities in the North. Unemployment, once largely a Catholic experience, is today an issue for others as well. Conroy's experience, as well as the North's history, give credence to the popular notion that violence has been effective in achieving progress in Ireland. This is an informative, powerful, sensitive evocation of people who "don't need any practice" in suffering.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
A street-level view of the twenty-five-year conflict in Northern Ireland. "For those puzzled by Northern Ireland, Belfast Diary offers a wellwritten, sympathetic and cleareyed view."

-The New York Times Book Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (June 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807002178
• ISBN-13: 978-0807002179
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,555 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > History > Europe > Ireland > Troubles
  #42 in	Books > Travel > Europe > Ireland
  #56 in	Books > History > Europe > England > 20th Century

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, October 10, 1999

By	Sandra L. Boyd (Avon, Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Are you the average American completely confused with the subject on Northern Ireland and "The Troubles"? This is THE book for you. John Conroy writes in easy to understand language with an underlining compassion for the people he is writing about. This book is moving and reads like a novel. I couldn't put it down. If you are interested in this subject, please read it. You will not be disappointed.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A realistic, eye opening look at life in Northern Ireland!, June 24, 1997

By A Customer

Belfast Diary is a moving, eye opening experience. John Conroy takes you from the viewpoint of a questioning American to an insiders look at life in Northern Ireland. As a part of the Belfast community he takes you through important events with insight and understanding. He helps you understand how a community learns to accept violence as a way of life and how they survive it. This is a MUST read for anyone who is interested in understanding the "troubles", and anyone who cares about the people of Northern Ireland

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and timely-a must if you want to understand, April 15, 1998

By A Customer

Conroy recounts his experiences as an American journalist living in Belfast. He masterfully intertwines his spellbinding experiences with the history of "the troubles" in Northern Ireland. This is a superior book for the history reluctant or adversed. Engaging, gripping and intelligent, it is hard to put this book down. This is a "must read" for those preparing to travel to Northern Ireland or those who want to develop a better understanding of the complexities, emotions, history and politics of this divided people. Conroy's insights will expand the readers appreciation of current events in Northern, Ireland.