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The Secret Army: The IRA 2nd Edition

by J. Bowyer Bell (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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Secret Army
Secret Army
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The Secret Army is the definitive work on the Irish Republican Army. It is an absorbing account of a movement that has had a profound effect on the shaping of the modern Irish state. The secret army in the service of the invisible Republic has had a powerful effect on Irish events over the past twenty-five years. These hidden corridors of power interest Bell and inspired him to spend more time with the IRA than many volunteers spend in it. This book is the culmination of twenty-five years of work and tens of thousands of hours of interviews. Bell's unique access to the leadership of the republican movement and his contacts with all involved―British politicians, Irish politicians, policemen, arms smugglers, and others committed or opposed to the IRA―explain why The Secret Army is the book on the subject. This edition represents a complete revision and includes vast quantities of new information.

Bell's book gives us vital insight into our times as well as Irish history. This edition of The Secret Army contains six new chapters that bring the history of this clandestine organization up to date. They are: The First Decade, The Nature of the Long War, 1979-1980"; "Unconventional Conflict, The Hunger Strikes, January 1980-October 3, 1981"; The Protracted Struggle, September 1981-January 1984"; "War, Politics, and the Split, January 1984-December 1986"; The Troubles as Institution, 1987-1990": and The Armed Struggle Transformed, 1991-1996, The End Game." In his new introduction, Bell reflects on his decades of research, the experiences he has had, and the people he has met during his extensive visits to Ireland.

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  1. ISBN-10
    1560009012
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1560009016
  3. Edition
    2nd
  4. Publication date
    January 30, 1997
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    5.98 x 1.64 x 9.02 inches
  7. Print length
    722 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

-Accurate, readable and honest... essential and compulsive reading.- Maurice Manning

"Accurate, readable and honest... essential and compulsive reading." Maurice Manning

About the Author

J. Bowyer Bell

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 2nd edition (January 30, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 722 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1560009012
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1560009016
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.35 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 1.64 x 9.02 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

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J. Bowyer Bell

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4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tony Velasquez
5.0 out of 5 stars A Definitive Work!
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is, or was, the definitive history of the IRA. Begun in 1974, this book had been constantly revised and updated by the author up until his death in 2002. Unfortunately for us, this means that this book was no longer updated with the most recent events such as the ongoing peace process and activities of breakaway groups such as the "New IRA."

Its well written although there are a number of bizzare run-on sentences and fragments which seem to be mistakes in editing. There are no pictures at all, at least in this edition. Not even a central photo section. The text itself is very informative and this book really is cited by almost every other history or book written about the IRA. It is really a necessary basic source for anyone wanting to really dig into the subject.

While Bell is not Irish himself, he seems to approach the subject fairly, portraying all sides in the conflict objectively. Or at least as much as possible. When the text gets to the modern era, he is critical of everyone, including the British Army, for all the pointless killing and bombings which occurred. Since the text ends with the Good Friday Agreement of 1997, Bell ends his work in a hopeful "we'll see" for the future of Ireland. As Bell passed away soon after, he could give no further analysis of the situation and for that, the student or reader will have to find more current histories. One thing for certain though, those histories will cite this work as a source.

I started reading books focused on one area or another of recent Irish History, the Civil War, the Anglo-Irish War, even a book on the Border Campaign of the late 50s early 60s. However, looking back at it, I would go so far as to say that anyone who wants to get into the history of the Troubles or recent Irish history, should start with this book first. The overview is invaluable.
2 people found this helpful
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S. Goff
5.0 out of 5 stars Mac Geough
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2006
If you are into detail, this is what you want. Forget your own politics, read and try to shut up until you get to the end. Then write! Goes VERY well w/ T.A. Jackson.s: IRELAND HER OWN.
One person found this helpful
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Melissa R. Hufjay
5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunning Novel
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2006
One of the few books about the IRA, this book is a stunning masterpiece, beautiful from beggining to end. An absolute must-read!
One person found this helpful
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bernstein.17@osu.edu
5.0 out of 5 stars Perceptive anaylsis
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 1999
This book is the best institutional history of the IRA and the Republican movement I have come across. It illuminates very clearly the dynamics of the conflict and the fundamental differences in perception and misreading of the other sides by all parties that has made this such a long war.
5 people found this helpful
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