A History of Northern Ireland, 1920-96 [Hardcover]

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Gill & Macmillan
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0717126234
• ISBN-13: 978-0717126231
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to Ulster's history., January 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Belfast, Ulster) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Northern Ireland 1920-1996 (Hardcover)

Thomas Hennessey has managed to achieve a feat few have managed before him. He has created an informative, yet balanced account of the history of the Northern Ireland state. He manages to put across all viewpoints to the conflict, without allowing any one to prevail. For those who wish to read an unbiased, and highly informative account this is the book. Beware however those looking to find information to back up their prejudices - they won't find them here.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Admirably unbiased & loaded with info, December 30, 2003

By 

"wtadhg" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A history of Northern Ireland, 1920-1996 (Paperback)

Of all the books I've read on this subject, this one is by far the most impressive. Hennessy has managed to present an unbelievably fair account of how each community viewed the major events in Northern Ireland's brief but contentious history. Most books I've read have a slight nationalist slant, which is usually understandable. However, as an Irish American who has outgrown the simplistic version of the story, I find that too many of these books leave me with more questions than answers. Not so with Hennessy - there is more information in this single volume than in the combined weight of all I've read.

Be warned, however, that if you're looking for an easy read and a rough outline, this book will be way too much for you. It is absolutely nothing but the facts. But if you want to read one book that will give you the straight story, free of the media's distortions, the politicians' spin, and yesterday's version of Irish nationalism, PLEASE read this one!