Customer Reviews

The Road to Balcombe Street: The IRA Reign of Terror in London (Monographic Separates from the Journal of Police Crisis Negotiations)

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This book is a rare combination of excellent writing, thoroughly researched historical information, informative case study analysis and exciting story-telling. Dr. Moysey does an excellent job meticulously documenting the history of the IRA and their motivations leading up to the Balcombe Street Seige. He also articulates an excellent case study in police hostage negotiation strategy. Even better, he has written an exciting and entertaining adventure story! Dr. Moysey carefully documents the history of the IRA and the individual terrorists' backgrounds while providing an insight into the passions and motivations of the brave professionals who risked their lives to protect others. As he tells the story of this dangerous cat-and-mouse pursuit, he brings to light the individual stories of heroism, the tragic sacrifices of human lives, and the passion of those who put their lives on the line to bring this horrific reign of terror to an end.

I would highly recommend this book. It not only describes an important and terror-filled era in Britain's history, but it also provides the reader with a rare detailed case study on developing and leading successful hostage negotiations. What's better is that it is an exhaustively researched, page-turning adventure story!

The book is a gripping real life thriller which puts the reader right in the action. The political neutrality was impressive and enhanced the read.

Well done Dr.Moysey!

The Provisional IRA terrorists who take a couple hostage in London after a botched raid in London are from another era.

The look at how the terrorists were caught through painstaking police work and the 'hunch' of a junior member of the police force is fascinating. The historical context of the Provo's operations is well explained.

The thinking of the negotiators at the time is well developed. This was the pioneering era of negotiations for the "Old Bill" in the UK.

The bloody mindedness of senior police officers interfered with the negotiators in the incident. This could be a problem when dealing with modern terrorists if the negotiator is boxed in by chicken hawk statements from government officials when Negotiating Hostage Crises with the New Terrorists (Psi Classics of the Counterinsurgency Era)

I've read many books on the IRA and the conflicts in Northern Island. I've read much on the history of how things got so bad and the way the violence spilled over onto the UK mainland. I'm also very interested in the psychology of hostage negotiation. This book brought these two topics together very nicely for me.
It seems as if this book is very well researched, but nicely escapes the trap of being dry. It's a great read and pulls you along. The personal stories of the people involved really brings this book to life. Very topical in these times of increased terrorist activity, its a sobering story.
I'm a little too young to remember this time in London, but my father was stationed in Northern Ireland for a while, and I remember that. This book does a good job of painting the picture of this very important terrorist period and the very emotional event of the siege itself.
Its a good read, highly recommended for people interested in any of its main elements of hostages, terrorism, IRA, Police tactics, etc.