Ireland has a long and beautiful history, but much of it has been marked with fighting for an independent Ireland. The Irish War for Independence run from 1919 to 1921 but the Irish Republic Army would continue for much of the 20th century, culminating in The Troubles in Northern Ireland during the latter half of the 20th century.
Northern Ireland and the UK now celebrate tentative success in a peace agreement, but the history of the struggle from both sides is a fascinating one. Northern Irish and British readers of a certain age will well remember the fear and news of the time, marred by many atrocities.
If you’re looking for a better understanding of this time in Ireland’s history then we have ten books that offer an insight into this time, some fiction, some nonfiction, but all fascinating and highly recommended.
Nonfiction
Lost Lives – David McKittrick, Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeley and Chris Thornton
When casualty numbers are high it can be easy to forget that each number is a person with a family and a life. This excellent work shows in personal terms every death on every side over 30 years moving and sad it gives scope to a conflict with devastating losses.
Fiction
No Bones – Anna Burns
No Bones is a powerful and disturbing book and isn’t for those who like their reading comforting. A look at the politics of The Troubles through the eye of someone with mental health issues makes for a troubling narrative and a different look at Northern Ireland through The Troubles.
Nonfiction
Rebel Hearts: Journey Within the IRA’s Soul – Kevin Toolis
While not a sympathetic account of IRA members, Rebel Hearts is flinchingly honest, pulls no punches and gives a readable and accurate account from the men in the very centre of the conflict.
Fiction
Trinity – Leon Uris
No list of books about The Troubles, or Northern Ireland in fact would be complete without the epic fiction, Trinity. This excellent, and indeed rollicking read gives an insight into nationalists, unionists and the Brits that painted Ireland’s history. Trinity is an excellent book that reads like a saga and would appeal to anyone interested in historical fiction, not just The Troubles.
Fiction
Ripley Bogle – Robert McLiam Wilson
Set in London, Ripley Bogle gives a fantastic alternative view of the troubles. The Eponymous protagonist is a homeless man from Northern Ireland and shows what life was like for Irish in the UK at the height of The Troubles. Acerbic, funny and profound there are regular flashbacks to West Belfast in a book full of terror.
Nonfiction
Killing Rage – Eamonn Collins
Killing Rage is an unflinchingly honest account of a boy gone bad, small town violence and the terror of being part of the cause by former IRA member Eamonn Collins.
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