Pig in the middle: The army in Northern Ireland, 1969-1984 by Hamill, Desmond
Pig in the middle: The army in Northern Ireland, 1969-1984 by Hamill, Desmond
Hardcover, ISBN 9780413508003
Publisher: Methuen Publishing Ltd, 1985
Used - Very Good. A very good copy with minor edge wear. Hardcover. Edition: 1st Edition. 320 pages.
'Over a long period of research, Desmond Hamill gained access to the decision-makers in the Army and in the corridors of power at Whitehall best able to explain how the Army itself has seen and understood its role in Northern Ireland since 1969. Based largely on their personal views, this is a story of confusion of aims and amazing ignorance of people and attitudes; of dogged determination, great courage, mistakes, many frustrations and a few triumphs. It is the authentic voice of the soldier at the sharp end - whether a red-tabbed general or a sweaty patrol commander.'
“This book is very much from the British Army perspective (up until 1984!), but all the politics and the (in)famous characters are there, interwoven in the Army’s story. I think it would be very difficult to separate the story of the Army from that of Northern Ireland over the last 40 years.
Along with all the misery and distress of the fabric of society trying to pull itself apart, there are moments of absolute farce; the capture of six of Britain’s finest by the Irish police due to navigational issues in South Armagh.
A very informative book about events that still touch a raw nerve in UK society, at times hard to put down.”
