A timely work of major historical importance examining the whole spectrum of events from the 1916 Easter Rising to the current & ongoing peace process fully updated with a new afterword for the paperback edition. ' An essential book.. .closely-reasoned formidably intelligent & utterly compelling.. .required reading across the political spectrum.. .important & riveting' Roy Foster The Times ' An outstanding new book on the IRA.. .a calm rational but in the end devastating deconstruction of the IRA' Henry Mc Donald Observer ' Superb.. .the first full history of the IRA & the best overall account of the organization. English writes to the highest scholarly standards.. . Moreover he writes with the common reader in mind: he has crafted a fine balance of detail & analysis & his prose is clear fresh & jargon-free.. .sets a new standard for debate on republicanism' Peter Hart Irish Times ' The one book I recommend for anyone trying to understand the craziness & complexity of the Northern Ireland tragedy.' Frank Mc Court author of Angela's Ashes