He charts efforts to radicalise Irish nationalism, north and south. Sinn Fein took the SDLP by the hand to later take it by the throat. As he left the Provos in the late 80s, it is unknown how faithfully the Provos have implemented this.
His assessment may be an important historical point or a vital guide to current Provo intentions. His testimony could provide Gramsci's famous "pessimism of the intellect" whilst the "optimism of the will" is provided by Irish and British peace groups to whom this book is dedicated.

Gary Kent

This review appears in the 31 July edition of the London based Tribune newspaper