Good Friday Reviews: What people are saying

Joe Graham, Davy Carlin, Malachi O Doherty, Ruth Dudley Edwards and Richard English weigh in on Good Friday.

"A fascinating insight into politics in the six north eastern counties of Ireland, some times referred to as "Northern Ireland". There is perhaps no better person to write about the death of republicanism through the post "Good Friday" agreement than Anthony McIntyre, a man who courageously voiced his opinion throughout, and in the face of, many threats directed against him and his family. To not have this book on your "Irish" book shelf is to have an incomplete understanding of The Belfast Agreement, alias, "The Good Friday Agreement"."
- Joe Graham, Rushlight Magazine and author of Show Me The Man

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"McIntryre’s writing and vision over the last decade of the Irish Peace process, indeed puts him up there with the likes of Swift, Shaw and Behan, as stated.

In addition to that, McIntyre was key to facilitating debate and discussion at this time when others attempted, and succeeded on many occasions, in closing down any alternative view or dissent from a particular line.

McIntyre’s understanding through his writing of what was to come to pass long before it had happened had made both him a target for those who had shouted Never Never, and those who had wanted a lid kept on the fact that it was actually happening.

And through all of that, he and others had stood their ground on that understanding, while providing and protecting a platform for many alternative views, and those wishing to express them.

And whether he agreed or not with such views, he and The Blanket nevertheless supported the right for them to be aired, discussed and debated.

This book will be essential reading, as had been The Blanket site, for those looking a fuller understanding of the Irish Peace process, and what that had taken it there."
- Davy Carlin
Belfast

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"I have been familiar with Anthony McIntyre's journalism for many years. Though I am not a republican I have been struck by the integrity and insight of his writing. Anthony McIntyre was right when many were wrong, for instance when he confidently predicted that the IRA would disarm, even while the IRA leadership was saying it would not.

His own position is that the republican movement has betrayed its historic cause. He is right in that, though this is hardly a matter of great sadness to those who did not endorse that cause.

There is a human aspect to this too, that even an outsider can acknowledge; Anthony was one of those armed by the IRA and urged to kill others in the pursuit of political goals that have proven unattainable. With the political compromises, he is entitled to ask: what was it for? He is entitled to feel that his bloody investment in a Republic has been betrayed. He is entitled to marvel that those who armed him can now deny that they had ever played a part in the IRA campaign and have built political respectability for themselves on that lie.

For historians and other journalists, the writings of Anthony McIntyre are an invaluable resource. Here we have the counter record of republican peace processing, the cynical view from the inside. No future histories of the period and the process will have any credibility if they don't draw on it."
- Malachi O Doherty is the author of four books on Irish political and cultural issues; the latest of which is Empty Pulpits: Ireland's Retreat from Religion (Gill and Macmillan).

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"Although Anthony McIntyre and I are poles apart politically, I admire his fine, incisive, honest and brave journalism. Anyone who truly wants to understand the underbelly of the Irish peace process should read Good Friday."
- Ruth Dudley Edwards, journalist

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"Highly intelligent, honest and original. McIntyre's book should be read by anyone with an interest in modern Irish republicanism."
- Richard English, author of Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA

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Good Friday, The Death of Irish Republicanism
is available at these online outlets:
Ausubo Press; Online Bookshop at Queens, Small Press Distribution.

You can also order directly from Gill & Macmillan:
Email: sales@gillmacmillan.ie

Are you a bookseller looking to stock Good Friday?
Call or Fax your order to: Tel: +353 1 500 9500 or Fax: +353 1 500 9599

Gill & Macmillan is now the exclusive distributor in Ireland and the UK If the book is not on the shelves of your local bookstore,
ask them to order it for you!