Nor Meekly Serve My Time: The H-Block Struggle, 1976-1981 (Paperback)

~ J. B. Campbell (Other Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Written by prisoners out of their own experiences, edited with care and respect, it is vivid in a fashion beyond most records of the Troubles... There are true writers here, as well as those who stumble through remembered shame or anger with as much impact as the more skilful.' -- Linen Hall Review, Winter 1994

From the Back Cover

This is the story of one of the most remarkable prison protests in history, told for the first time by the prisoners themselves. The protest began when a new regime was imposed on political prisoners in the North of Ireland in 1976. For five years, hundreds of Irish Republicans in Long Kesh prison endured deprivation and brutality. Then in 1981, ten of them died a slow and painful death on hunger strike. How and why did it happen? This book tells the inside story of those prisoners who refused to be treated as criminals. Using the accounts of men who lived through and survived those years of protest and hunger strike, it gives a moving insight into why ten men gave their lives in pursuit of a political goal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Beyond Pale Publications (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0951422952
• ISBN-13: 978-0951422953
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,182,854 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life in Long kesh as told by the prisoners., June 7, 2000

By	Zwanet Hamming (El Paso, Texas) - See all my reviews

"Nor meekly serve my time" is written by republican prisoners that talk about their experiences in the years 1976 to 1981. These were the years of the "dirty protest" and the hunger-strike that ultimately killed 10 people. These are their memories, not only of the 10 men that died but also about their own struggle and endurance. In the time of the book you will intimately know these people that fought so hard to regain political status in Long Kesh, which was denied by them by Margaret Thatcher. It is a very moving account and all the more so because these people actually sufferred through conditions that in the civil world we live in, they should never have to endure. As somebody who has read many books about Irish history but especially about the "troubles", this one stands out by far.

5.0 out of 5 stars History made, February 24, 2009

By	S. Frank (Hot Springs, AR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is very accurate and full of information. If you're intersested in world history and how events can change lives, this book is a "must have".

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons in dignity, March 2, 2001

By	"paddy72" (Brasilia, DF Brazil) - See all my reviews

This is by far one of the best books ever written on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. I'll say more, this is one of the best "political" books ever! For the first time, the incredible experience of Republican POW's during the "blanket" and "no wash" protests and the subsequent hunger strike is told by those who were involved in them. I cannot possibly convey all the emotions this book gave me. The overall feeling I received by reading these pages is one of anger and indignation at the callousness of the British Government led by Maggie Thatcher (whose name will never be cursed enough!). But I also felt proud for what these people achieved through their sacrifice and determination. Not only they refused to be labeled as common criminals when the treatment they were subject to showed the opposite, they also highlighted the true nature of the Republican movement. Whoever believes the IRA is just an Irish Mafia should think twice before saying such nonsense.Republican POW's showed once and for all that the aim of their struggle is not to gain money or power. They fight for freedom and dignity. Together with "On the blanket" by Tim Pat Coogan and "Ten men dead" by Peter Beresford, this book will give any reader full insight on one of the most beautiful and saddest pages of Irish history. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the H-Blocks Hunger Strike, so do yourself a favour and buy this book now!