Times of Troubles: Britain's War in Northern Ireland

by Andrew Sanders, Ian S. Wood

Overview

This is the first academic study of the British Army in Northern Ireland. It investigates the complex experiences of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish soldiers alike during the often-controversial Operation Banner 1969-2007. The experiences of these soldiers raise many important and difficult questions on war and policy. When do 'troubles', riots and insurgency become war? How does a liberal state respond to an internal war within its own borders? How does it decide on its rules of engagement for its armed forces? Featuring key interviews with former soldiers, paramilitaries and Special Branch detectives, amongst other key actors, the authors attempt to answer these questions and enhance our knowledge of conflict resolution by providing a deep analysis of one of the most significant British military operations since the Second World War.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748655137
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	05/02/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Andrew Sanders is John Moore Newman Research Fellow, UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies at the University College Dublin.

Ian S. Wood is Former Lecturer in History at the Napier University, Edinburgh.

Table of Contents

List of Figures vi

Acknowledgements viii

Abbreviations x

Introduction 1

1 British Soldiers on the Front Line, 1970 8

2 The Battle for Belfast 42

3 Belfast: Winning the Battle? 75

4 Derry's Walls 103

5 War on the Border 139

6 Unlawful Force? 169

7 'At least I took no lives …' 181

8 The Secret War 210

9 Full Circle? Drumcree and Withdrawal 236

Bibliography 260

Index 269

What People are Saying About This

Professor Richard English

Far more has been written on paramilitary groups in the Northern Ireland conflict than on the role of the British military itself. This vivid study, based on extensive first-hand research, contributes very valuably to correcting that imbalance. 　As it does so, it offers important insights relevant to Northern Ireland and the UK, but also to wider conflict settings as armies attempt to respond to the challenges of political violence.

Editorial Reviews

Sanders and Wood have produced an outstanding and judicious book on a topic fraught with difficulties.

Scottish Review - Alasdair McKillop

This is a thought-provoking, important addition to the existing literature.

Choice: Volume 50, No.4 - P.C. Kennedy

Far more has been written on paramilitary groups in the Northern Ireland conflict than on the role of the British military itself. This vivid study, based on extensive first-hand research, contributes very valuably to correcting that imbalance. 　As it does so, it offers important insights relevant to Northern Ireland and the UK, but also to wider conflict settings as armies attempt to respond to the challenges of political violence.

Professor Richard English

The first academic study focused on the British army's role in the conflict in Northern Ireland... This is a thought-provoking, important addition.... Highly recommended.

Choice