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Captain Robert Nairac , GC and the undercover war in Northern Ireland.
| Author | John Parker |
| Publisher | Metro |
| ISBN # | 1-900512-75-0 |
| On-line Merchant | Non Found |
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The tragic story of Captain Robert Nairac's abduction and murder by the IRA in 1977 has until now been shrouded in mystery. At last John Parker's compelling biography under covers the truth of Nairac's secret war and heroic death.
Drawing on unprecedented first hand accounts from senior army colleagues and I RA sources, John Parker reveals answers to the questions that have haunted the imagination for so long
Why was Nairac out alone and without backup on the night he met his death?
Who was he meeting and why?
How did Nairac meet his death? And what became of his body, that was never found?
Was he betrayed by its own site - caught up in the rivalry between MI5 and MI6?
Reviews
Alistair Kerr rated this book as Good
I join the reviewers above in commending this book. It is not however as good as some of John Parker's other biographies. The reason is made clear in the book: John Parker states that 'in deference to his family, Robert Nairac's personal and private life will not form part of this book, other than in passing references. His military work, however, is of legitimate public interest'. This is, on the face of it an extraordinary admission, given that Nairac's obsession with Ireland; the circumstances of his presence in Northern Ireland; his army career; were all dependent on choices that he had made and which were influenced by his character and background. (Some basic information and comment on his upbringing, schooldays and time at Oxford and in the Army is given). John Parker is a biographer. He has written biographies of The Queen, Prince Philip, Sean Connery, Bruce Willis...it is his job to write about people's personal and private lives! Imagine a book about Wins ton Churchill that did not examine his personal and private life, but confined itself to his political career, making no mention of his journalism, writing, painting, gardening and his non-political friends. It would be definitely lacking in balance. Moreover, given that Nairac has been demonised by some Irish and other writers and journalists, it would have been a chance to set the record straight, with sympathetic stories from friends etc; to present the whole man. So what is his family's problem? My conclusion is that there are things that the family would not want to become known and which have nothing to do with military matters or the Official Secrets Act. It is rather a shame; someone else will have to write a fuller account some day in the future. Meanwhile, this is the best that we have.
Kevin Barry Mccormick rated this book as Poor
my father was terrence gerald mc cormick. i have lived my life under his shadow. my life has been destroyed by what happened in 1977. i know what has happened to his body and if his family want the truth then they know what to do. my only ever wish is that it never happened. i would at some point in the future desire to meet the nairaic family and express my deepest felt apoligies for what happened that night. my father is not me and i am not my father. one day i will meet the family. my only hope is that they could understand that i find it still very difficult to communicate with my past. to the nairaic family the mc cormick family has suffered to. may god bless both families. i wish you peace.
Oonagh rated this book as Average
I write this review ironically 31 years to the date when Bob disappeared/was murdered... Parker never contacted me, refused to examine Bob's diaries, letters, medical records that I have held for 31 years; he (and et al) dismissed me as a 'fantastist' (like so many other people who came forward with evidence/facts, risking their own safety/lives, often losing it,) - Now - 31 yrs later - another arrest suddenly of one of the 3 suspected REAL murderers, seems to have taken place according to the News.
It has taken 31 years for the powers that be to actually start taking what people like me have been saying for years. It will all contradict Parker's 'book'! But then who cares any more about Bob or about those of us he left behind who have been marginalized, scorned, falsely accused etc for over 30 yrs? And remember...a man (Liam Townsen) went to prison for 18 years for a murder he so clearly did NOT commit. Lives were ruined so that those responsible for Bob's disappearance could perpetrate further officially sanctioned murders, soldier & civilian alike. They will never be brought to anyone's 'book'.
tug wilson rated this book as Excellent
i served with him in armagh and he was a good man. it was a bad time and bad things happened.
A freind of robert Nairac and his family. rated this book as Average
To much supposition, its now 30 years on, the truth should now come out.
Sean rated this book as Average
I think the title A'Hero' is not in fitting with a man that was involved in the murder of numerous innocent people. The Barron inquiry has linked him to loyalist paramilitaries and the people should be made aware of this side of his double life.
Colin rated this book as Good
As good an account of Robert Nairac's life and death as we are likely to get for many years, when some classified material may eventually be forthcoming.
This portrayal is largely faithful to the character of Nairac, who was one of those remarkably gifted individuals who tend to rub along rather uneasily with Authority, especially in the military. He had considerable intellect and flair, but his daring and ability to play a role (he was a considerable amateur actor) repeatedly outran his training and his commonsense, eventually with inevitable results. His immense personal courage has never been questioned by any serious elements on any side of the Irish question.
There are perhaps some useful if broad comparisons to be made with the life and death of Lt. Col. Herbert "H" Jones VC, the Falklands hero. The British Army seems to throw up characters of this extraordinary stamp every decade or two.
Noel Winter rated this book as It's already in the bin
Speaking as a one time resident of N Ireland. I'd like to say that Robert Nairac was a man who made the mistake often made by pompous vain glorious idiots, and that was, to undersetimate the Irish. They knew who he was from the off. He thought the 'thick' paddys were taken in. He played a dangerous game and lost. Get over it. As for his body. I go with the Ravendale Meat Factory theory. The comments in Dundalk for long after was, to avoid the burger meat.
Peter rated this book as Excellent
Just finished reading this book. I would thoroughly recomend this book for anyone wanting an insight into British military intelligence in Northern Ireland in the early to mid 1970s. Robert Nairac was a brave soldier who pushed himself to the limits. The IRA kidnapped and tortured him but he gave away nothing. The paperback version is a revised edition and has further interviews with people who knew Nairac. The book destroys some myths that he was involved in murdering of innocents. I guess when someone is dead they can hardly defend themselves. Robert Nairac had an affinity with the Irish people, he really believed he could make a difference, in some ways he was similar to TE Lawerence. It saddens me he never received a proper burial as his body was never returned.
Andy Buchanan rated this book as Excellent
As an ex Grenadier, I found this book to be very revealing about a man who is part of my Regiments folklore. It is well written and presents sensible augument from both sides of the coin about Nairac , and his activities in South Armargh . I would , and have recommended this book to many people.
Robert Morgans rated this book as Excellent
Not just an excellent soldier but an extrodinary human being. I first heard of him from someone who served alongside him, and he is every bit the regimental legend. An un-put downable read.
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