There are several areas of the world where there are divisions based on religious preferences. One of those is Ireland. Though the country was somewhat united under the rule of the British, the Irish have always wanted to separate themselves from British rule and be able to choose their own destiny. This is a process that seems to go on from time to time all over the world. After causing much trouble for the British (who refer to the Irish conflicts as 'the troubles') Ireland finally revolted in a major way during the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-1921.

This war led to the formation of the Irish Republic, but it was really only a precursor for additional problems. This mainly stemmed from the desire to unite all of the counties of Ireland as one nation by one side and another that was willing to accept that the the northern counties of Ireland (which were strongly Protestant), did not want to be ruled by the rest of predominantly Catholic Ireland. It is a situation that pretty much continues even today. Many of the harsh feelings between the two groups stem from the divisive Civil War that broke out soon after the British had pretty much pulled out of the country.

It is a story of political intrigue and in-fighting. One where the Republican side of the cause (those that would settle for nothing less than a fully united Ireland) soon realized that standard military operations against the British supplied Nationalist Army (who felt that a compromise in the form of a divided nation was better than nothing) would not work, so after a few resounding defeats, the Irish Republican Army switched over to guerilla tactics. As it often the case, these sorts of seemingly indiscriminate attacks and assassinations did nothing to improve the situation, often causing reprisals that were more horrendous than the initial attacks. Disruption of civil services also tended to set the rest of the populace against the Republican cause.

Without giving too much away, it is a book that the author, Peter Cottrell pens superbly. He is able to help weave through what seems like a tangled mess of people and events to provide as clear a history of the war as any I've ever read. Superbly illustrated with period photos as well as excellent maps, it is a book that I can highly recommend to all of those who show an interest in this particular conflict.

September 2008

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