Customer Reviews

The Ira: A History

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this book is truly the standard reference on the IRA and thier history, it shows how the provisional IRA has changed from simple revolutionaries to highly trained ruthless terrorists who commited many attrocities while also fighting for catholic rights and ultimately realizing that they could not be beaten, but also could not win through violence alone. shows the political savy of sinn fein and the only semi-succesfull attempt by protestent paramilitaries to counter the ruthlessness of the IRA and INLA. tim pat coogen is one of the best authors on the subject of northern ireland. easily surpassess the somewhat biased and not very accurate account of the last twenty five years of the conflict by Bowyer Bell in his revised book IRA the secret army

In typical form, Tim Pat Coogan can be labeled nothing if not thorough. Undoubtedly a 500 page book cannot cover each important event or key figure in the IRA's fascinating, tumultuous history, but I believe Coogan makes a true effort to write a piece worth reading. He divides the text into four basic parts: Beginnings to 1969, 1969-79, 1979-86, and 1986-94. There are also appendices, references, maps, b/w photos, and a useful glossary. In my opinion, Coogan balances his personal feelings about the IRA with a decent sense of journalistic objectivism. Having said that, however, I would affirm what other reviewers have noted regarding Coogan's clear support for (or, at the very least, distant admiration of) the IRA. If you are seeking a selection from a more critical ideological position, look elsewhere. I will also agree that the text itself is in need of serious editing. It seems that there are grammatical errors on every other page and though I hate to nitpick, those errors do detract from the overall credibility of the book. Nevertheless, if you are doing any type of academic research on the IRA, I would strongly suggest this title. Beware: it does presume a fair amount of knowledge from the start so choose it after you have already gained the basics of Irish/Northern Irish history.

I disagree with the universal 5-star rating this book receives by other reviewers. Yes, this is definitely the "standard reference work on the topic," and it's a terrific book which is unlikely to be surpassed any time soon. But that may be simply because truly serious attempts haven't been mounted yet and don't seem likely to come soon, because Coogan has flooded the field. Coogan grinds his share of axes in the book (an anti-Conor Cruise O'Brien axe, for instance...which I personally agree with, but is axe-grinding nonetheless), and can be somewhat pompous.

Also, the whole last third to half of the book seems tacked-on. It seems that Coogan, after writing the initial version of this book many years ago, has fattened it up with occasional updates without re-reading the whole text cover-to-cover, as general readers do. Thus, he repeats himself at points, and fails to develop a context in other parts.

This is a very good book that would benefit from a top-to-bottom revisitation by a good editor.

There is more detail in this book than anyone--apart from the author, perhaps--could ever digest. But it is a fascinating account of the world's oldest revolutionary/terrorist movement. Coogan's style is anecdotal and at times sentimental. Though he is not entirely uncritical of the IRA, his admiration for their bravery and determination is obvious. The main problem with this book is cosmetic but extremely annoying: it has so many typos, misspellings and and ungrammatical sentences that it starts to detract from the book's readability. I can't believe that Coogan, who is a professional newspaper writer/editor, would have neglected to have someone proofread his book before submitting it to a publisher, so I can only assume that this was the typesetter's fault. Also, adding some translations or transliterations of Gaelic names and words would have been helpful for all of us non-Gaelic speakers. But apart from these problems, it is a very informative and enjoyable book.

Coogan has clearly established himself as one of the most respected writers on the troubled history of Ireland. "The IRA: A History" is the most comprehensive scholarly work ever assembled on this controversial organization. His reputation amongst all parties as a straightforward commentator on Northern Ireland's conflict affords him access to key players which no journalist or author has ever enjoyed. Coogan's massive efforts have borne a precious fruit indeed: this book is truly an essential volume for anyone concerned with the modern phase of Irish history. A 1995 edition of the same name (incorrectly indexed by Amazon as "Ira History: a History") includes details of the 1995 cease-fire. Kevin Newnan (LNKN@earthlink.net

A comprehensive survey of the IRA's history, Coogan's book is an absolute must for readers who know little about the organization, especially its origins and early development. The author provides a good undertanding of the key figures and events of the IRA, while also sketching the secondary personalities involved. However, the book's considerable length combined with Coogan's academic style may discourage some readers. In addition, those hoping to find further research or to find books dealing with a more specific period will likely be disappointed by the shallow bibliography. Otherwise, Coogan's book is a fine achievement.

This book is a great starter book for the person who wants to know what the troubles are all about. Also, the author is extremely well-connected, and eloquent in his writings. This book does not leave anything out in the entire history of the IRA! Very well done!

This is the best book about the history of the IRA I have ever read. Coogan not only did his homework, but provides a detailed and useful analysis missing in other books about the IRA, and clears up many misunderstandings about this group. I also like that he didn't portray them as just a bunch of terrorists, which we see in the popular media, but as instrumental participants in modern Irish history. If anyone wants to understanding modern Irish history and is willing to keep an open mind, I highly recommend this book.

_The IRA: A History_ is an indispensable resource for those wishing to study modern Irish Republicanism. Author Tim Pat Coogan, a respected Irish journalist who has covered "The Troubles" throughout his career, has accomplished the near-impossible task of unsnarling the tangled web of politics and insurgency in Ireland, North and South. From the Easter Rebellion of 1916 to the Gerry Adams's 1993 attempts to procure a U.S. visa, Coogan clarifies and puts in context the operations of the Irish Republican Army.

The book is more than a simple history, however. It is difficult to read it and remain untouched by the personal stories of the IRA volunteers, their families, and the innocents who have suffered under the British Occupation of the Six Counties. _The IRA: A History_ is must reading for anyone who wants to understand Ireland and the IRA.

Coogan's history is not a page turner. He goes into excruciating detail about who fired who's sten gun first in obscure firefights long since lost to the sands of time. One wonders if Coogan by naming virtually every volunteer who ever served in the IRA did so to boost sales hoping these people or their families would buy his book. I recommend that one use this book as only a reference tool. But be mindful of the fact that Coogan is viewed as writing with a nationalist bent and that his works were even recommended reading by IRA HQ to young volunteer's in the Maze. Coogan's work which is approximately the size of a phone book could also be utilized by the RUC's CID detectives at Castlereagh or the IRA's own "Knutting Squad" to beat confessions out of recalcitrant prisoners.