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The true story about a man
who was recruited into the IRA in his
teens and went to prison
several times during his times in it.
| Author | Eamon Collins |
| Publisher | St. Martin's Griffin |
| ISBN # | 1-86207-047-4 |
| On-line Merchant | Amazon |
| Or Order through the BSW store: |
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| This Book was added by | Brian Shajari |
Comments
In this book, Eamon Collins
reveals the benality, the ignorance and psychotic inhumanity of the IRA.
Eamon Collins was killed by the IRA on January 27, 1999 while walking his
dogs. The killing was called a "revenge killing" by the IRA.
Reviews
Bob : Excellent.
The book should be required reading by any and all of police and security forces. It is an excellent portrayal of operational planning at a tactical level. It is a good read. It is very true in the sense that it conveys very well what it is like to those who have or have not been there.
Patrick : Good.
It's a story of hate and vengeance, of cowards, thugs and scum. It also tell of one mans view from one side of the fence and his dismay at the situation he got involved in. I think we all know that it takes scum on all sides to slaughter innocent people. As for the war, well it wasn't, it was a serious of violent acts by solders, police, loyalists and republicans. Most involved were scum if you really look at it. Collins at least showed that he had the ability to try raise his head above the scum he was surrounded in, on all sides. It's a pity he was killed, but it proves my point and his. Those involved in his murder in peace times were never brought to justice either.
Tom : Excellent.
A brutally honest description of the reality behind the image of the IRA. A ragtag gang of drunken, cowardly thugs attempting to justify their bloodlust and hatred as patriotism. Collins himself was only better insofar as he ultimately realised the immorality and sheer futility of trying to force the unionist people of Northern Ireland into unification with the south. He correctly analysed the strategy of Adams & co and predicted the decline of the military side of the organisation, the rise of the politicos and the inevitable acceptance of the principle of consent. What was achieved after 30 years of mindless murder and mutilation could have been won by simply accepting the Sunningdale proposal in 1973. Collins book stands testimony to the inescapable fact that all who died since December 1973 died for nothing.
M. : Excellent.
I read this book cover to cover in 10 hours... quite simply I could not put it down. I also read so manyof the comments above and it is clear that the IRA are still at work, only now they are keyboard warriors.
The book was a real eye opener, it throws the door open on the room of war... the sneaky way the IRA gathered intelligence, the botched operations and the justification therein. It also showed the nutcases that thrive in the business of war. I lived in this area and to think that when I was a child going back and forward through the border... all of this was going on.
Shocking, but sad, and certainly removes any romantic image I once had of the IRA. They appear more as criminals than warriors.
Sean Jock. : Average
Eamon Collins paid the ultimate price for his lies and treachery. The people of Newry have suffered years of abuse by the RUC and British Army, I know this because I lived there and saw my 16month old sons nappy forcibly removed by the RUC, something that will stay in my mind for always..imagine my child screaming whilse thay did this to him, whilst beating me black nand blue for trying to stop them. People who no nothing about the situation in Ireland would be well advised before glorifying the likes of collins
I hold a place in my heart for the brave people of Newry who resisted the murder and thugery of the RUC/British army, and as for collins.he got what he deserved because of his ego and naeivity..were his 30 pieces of silver worth it...i notice that peter keely alias kevin fulton posted a smarmy comment on this page..I look forard to the day when his past catches up with him..speed the day TAL!
Phil. : Good.
Many of the above opinions would make more of an impact if people had bothered to check their spelling and punctuation before sending them in.
Lee. : Excellent
i really enjoyed the book,i could'nt help but feel sorry for the man.he has balls the size of watermelons!!!
dundalk vol. : It's already in the bin
didnt know the man,bit before my time,i do know one thing,he was a foolish foolish man if he thought he'd get away with living in newry,after writing that book.
Paul Anderson : Good
AGood Book - However totally disagree with his outlook - Eamonn collins and people like him are the reason as to why Ireland is not free though not a full informer created the same problems an informer does - WAR is not pretty war has bad people on either side - what was he expecting a romantic battle for mother Ireland its a neccessary evil till the brits leave us be! brits out!
Leigh : Excellent
An excellent read... How much is true? It doesn't really matter as it's the essence of the story that is both fascinating and insightful.
bobby o malley : Excellent
excellent book. the authour was subsequently murdered for writing it so it must have all been true. Now Collins is a martyr. The second Collins to be in Ireland. Those who disliked it are the TAL gang who support the gangsters Collins was writing about in the first place. I'm a catholic, former republican and can relate to this book. It's well written and hard to put down. It's critics should be in the bin along with the ira.
Camelion/font> : Average
I laugh at the fact that the people reading the book have different opinions on the subject of the 'Killing Business'. Eamon is what is known as Dead Man Walking, and Kevin Fulton should know all about this! They surround you when you are young, criminalise you, then politicise you before following out everything you say with the help of both paramilitaries and state forces (Security Agents), then after they have bled you dry they kill you off. Did not matter that Eamon turned informer or not, as they find any excuse to kill you off if they can not do it either through active service to make you a hero to the cause or pressurise you to inform. It is only a game to the agents of both state and paramilitaries; a game were they make heros or villains and in the end the family pick up the pieces that the scum leave behind. EYES WIDE OPEN Fulton!!
Alex X : Excellent
He starts off as socialist/marxist freedom fighter and see it all going downhill from there... Great man paid the ultimate price, balls of steel.. The original volunteers are proud of him..
Chris : It's already in the bin
I was expecting more from the book, but I kept being reminding myself that this man betrayed those who trusted him and would say anything to justify his acts.
I would hold that oppinion on anyone who turned traitor.
I must take whatever he has written with a pince of salt and realise that while a large part of what he wrote may be true, it all isn't.
He was a professional liar as can be shown by the fact that he was an informer. You can't do much more lying that that.
Stevie : Excellent
The next time you hear your child saying Tiocfaidh ár lá hit him over the head and make him read this book.outstanding read just shows how as far back as 1982 sinn fien was being minupulated by the government to come into line politically if only gerry adams had went to politics sooner and stood up to the darkfigures from derry ans south armagh who were profiting in violence.
P john from Bessbrook : It's already in the bin
Eamon Collins was a murderer. imagine someone working in the same workplace as you, sitting across from you and then setting you up for murder and then attanding his funeral and all because he wore the uniform of the local Regiment
P O'Neill : It's already in the bin
I live in Northern Ireland and some of the facts Collins lists in this book are either inaccuarte or super-fical
I personally belive the man didn't know weither he was coming or going and he diserved the fade he got TAL.
Michael : Excellent
Eamon Collins spoke the truth. I am Irish, I am proud of been irish, and i can see that the IRA and their orange order counterparts are cut of the same cloth. While there are some mislead good men on both sides the majority involved on both sides are thugs. Anyone that agrees with the killing of a man who stated this truth is, in my view a thug also. When a man stands against violence especially after been involved in violent acts, it takes a truly great man to stand against it. As for the supergrass stuff, its laughable, Eamon Collins was interragated by the british, as the clever man he was he acted as if he was informing and then retracted and then let the IRA know the information that the British had been given. Counter intellegence is unknown to most people, but not to Eamon Collins. Why do you think the leader of The IRA did not want him killed?? The answer is simple, they knew what he told the british, was it planned, well the quick acting violent thugs that killed this man would not know anyway, they usually act on stupidity and unthinking mannor, as violent thugs do.
Ronnie Charters : It's already in the bin
who the hell does this guy collins think he is?after the recent outcome at stormont that the RUC and their loyalist death squads have finaly been uncovered(not before time)how dare he betrae his family, freinds and comrades by turning queens.Instead of finding comfort with his fellow loyalist and (so called)republican suprgrasses he could have resigned or just stood down and let the decent republicans of Ireland get rid of its invaders; and with the help of sinn fein bring the loyalist RUC to the courts.god bless Ireland,TIOCFAIDH AR LA
Bob : Good
Gives a great insight into an organisation run by thugs that keeps a society in a state of constant fear and suspicion.I think Eamonn to some extent excorcised his demons by writing this book and partly repented for his past crimes.A must read for any student of `the troubles`
Anonymous : Excellent
To be a member of the PIRA and to write this book...Mr Collins knew he would be killed one day. He was up to his elbows in the troubles and knew what it meant to be a supergrass. He signed his own death warrant. I would compare it to the U.S.'s suicide by cop phenom.
The book is a great read...To open up "the troubles" to someone who knows nothing of it.
The brutality, the sickness, the problems, and the politics. Nepotism runs high, and criminals seem to take over where proud republicans fought. English terrorists are shown to be human, and Irish freedom fighters are shown to be animals. Will make you go hmmmm.
An A+ all around. Even for people who have zero interest in Irish/British history.
The only way to chase it is to read a book called "Bandit Country"....hand in hand like PB&J....you will have a crash course in what and who the P.I.R.A. really is.
Maria : Excellent
i am a german student living in Munich and i just finished reading the book and found it excellent. everything he writes seems to come genuinely from his heart, so believeable..i didn't know much about the IRA but what he wrote really touched me.i am very sad to read about his atrocious murder and wished he hadn't had to pay such a high price for what he did. A brave heart.
Anonymous : It's already in the bin
i am 35 year old man from newry. i think eamon was a foolish man if he thought he would get away with wrighting this book.newry has some of the bravest vol: in ireland in this book he revels 2 much
jimes : Excellent
A truely amazing book which i found hard to put down. Collins paid the ultimate price for his inability to say nothing, a price many belived that he deserved years ago. But here was a man that I belive took extraordinary risks in revealing the utter stupidity of sectarian violence in the north of ireland. A man to admire?,possibly not, but nonetheless the kind of man who is vital if Northern Ireland is to be dragged kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.
J118 : It's already in the bin
I was of the belief that he was a traitor for some time longer than he originaly admitted so I might be biased. Overall, it was pure waffle and a pointless read imo.
Mike : Excellent
Just finished reading the book. I thought it was mind blowing as before I did not really understand the whole IRA thing. In my opinion, Eamon should have just kept a low profilew as he knew only too well what they were capable of. I believe that he may have still been alive had he not upset so many people. But my opinion is only formed from reading the book.
Kevin Fulton : Excellent
As a serving British soldier working for an U/C unit of the British army, in the Newry area, I can confirm that Eamon's book is both accurate and truthful, Eamon was Not an Informer,(as some people say.) he was a ruthless terrorist.
This book gives the public the first real look into the PIRA in the S/Down, S/Armagh area, it is a must read for those people that wish to read the true facts, not the (one side or the other.) I know the book is factual, as I infiltrated the same unit.
Carrie : It's already in the bin
did he ever apologise to the life he took in the banbridge boming of taken the sight of a woman who had young children and never saw them grow or see the face of her grand children he is not a hero
Michael : Good
In the end, Collins proves a better storyteller than self-evaluator. In the introduction, he states that he wishes to explain why certain Catholics decided to take up arms against the Orange state as well as to explain why he ultimately thought both sides were foolish for commiting violent acts against one another. He doesn't do a very good job at either. In trying to justify the increased militarism of the movement during his time with the IRA, he doesn't spend much time on the history. Certainly past oppressions played some role in his initial fervor to be involved in the IRA - yet the past gets a very cursory overview. I understand that his own experiences would obviously be more relevent to his own involvement in the cause, but to totally ignore the history that produced himself is to be an incomplete diarist. In addition, his transformation from top Newry IRA man to near-supergrass comes off as a little self-serving - it has the feel of a ex-Mafia man co ming clean to authorities rather than a steadfast revolutionary explaining the reasons behind his cause (or the reasons he became estranged from the cause). Ironically, the best evidence to support his stance that the IRA were/are more criminals than revolutionaries is his own (later) murder at their hands. Though a very interesting read, it is really a story of Eamon Collins and his own demons rather than an explanation/justification/condemnation of the IRA or the Republican movement.
James : Excellent
I couldn't hardly put this book down. Though I live a world away from the Troubles in the U.S., but the book really shed light on the situation in North Ireland. I found it made me question the romantic image of the freedom fighter associated with the Irish Republican terrorist. In Eamon giving his account of what really went on his legacy won't be a tout exile who had it coming, but a brave, intelligent man who tried to make things right. The IRA only made themselves look worse by killing him. What a waste.
Ulster-Scot : Excellent
This is an excellent read and highlights what the IRA were really like, instead of all the glorifying we get from irish historians, the facts were that they were unprofessional and sectarian. Eamon Collins is an honest bloke, telling it as it is. He highlights the sectarian war of the IRA against protestants, the criminality of the IRA (Hardbap),the lies of the provos by assuring him he would be safe and how he as an ulsterman, felt much closer to Scotland, than the republic of Ireland(Something Republicans find difficult to admit. The only people who would not appreciate this book as an excellent honest piece of literature are fascist republicans who cant face the truth. Afterall Eamon didnt exactly glorify himself. It certainly must raise alot of questions for every IRA member who was interrogated by the IRA's internal security (or Nutting Squad) over the years, considering Scap (Stakeknife)was mentioned, also much evidence suggests that his collegue in the Nutting squad was also an informer who worked for British Intelligence (John Joe Magee). It shows how much the Provisional IRA were penetrated by British & Irish Intelligence Services over the years. So much for the great guerrila army. Next there will be exposure of the IRA's Army Council.
Danny : Average
I think many falsely credit this book with disputing previous "romantic images" of the IRA. The fact of the matter is that Collins' analysis about the movement being unjustifiable in the end is simply not true. He says almost nothing to dispute the moral justification for the IRA's existance. Many lose heart...it happens in tough wars, but that is no reason to denounce those who have the courage to go on. I think history tells us that no war, in any form, is romantic.
It was a good read though, and the first 100 or so pages only further cemented my belief in the Republican movement. Collin's fate is regrettable, but so are those of the numerous lives he ruined as a tout. I think you can still enjoy the book without buying into its message.
Janet : Excellent
Eamon was my pen pal for many years. He abruptly stopped writing to me and I always wondered why. When I read his book I realized it was at the same time that he joined the IRA. I think it took courage to write the things he did. I live in the USA so it is difficult to put myself in his position but I am still proud of his writings.
Steve : Excellent
I think that this is a great book that shows a lot of the different sides and motivations about the Northern Ireland conflict. It helps a bit to understand what is going on up there. Though I am from Germany, this conflict is far away from me although I am eager to learn a bit more about the troubles. Greetings from Germany, Steve
bmc : Excellent
Some of the negative comments are ridiculous.
For the most part, the 'struggle' was a mockery when the book was written. it wasnt going to tell much about the provos and what they did.
As for the comment about someone's relative bneing in jail and not writing a book, that's their prerogative. That doesn't mean somone else, who had come to be at odds with the direction of the 'struggle', shouldn't write one. It shows what many of the members of the IRA had become. Bloodthirsty murderers. Whether or not Collins indicts himself is of little importance.
Scott D : Good
While the book is a great view into the mindset of an avowed IRA man bent on killing and the eventual psycological effects this brings, to know the full story of Eamon Collins, further reading is required. In reading news articles on the years of his life after the publication of the book, you find that Collins is not quite the brave man the book who have you believe. He turns out to be an egotistcal, stupid man that was an unhappy person long before his introduction to the IRA. His need to stay in his hometown area of Newry and remaining a thorn in the side of the IRA is what cost him his life.
Anonymous : Poor
Inaccurate. Some glaring errors, presumably made to increase its appeal. The impartial observer will be somewhat bemused by how cleam EC's hands remained throughout his 6 years - I'm surprised that, even 6 years after his death the 2nd edition hasn't been published; giving the'real' story.
John Mc Dermott : It's already in the bin
I think that Eamonn Collins should not have told all in his book. My uncle was in jail and he didn't write a book, your not the only republican pow who suffered by the brits... you wasted your time!!!!
Fenton Price : Good
This is an intriguing story of life in the Republican Movement. Putting aside, Collins own shift in beliefs following his murder of an unarmed man in a pub, the insight into the how the IRA operates, particularly in Southern Ireland is well worth the read Collins himself came to loathe the republican outlook and certainties. His conversion is not clearly charted and a strong sense of shame at what he had done hangs over the book without being admitted. This book is a tense read, as Collins describes his years as a police informer always on the edge of discovery and its fatal consequences. This is one of several books which have appeared in recent years by republican renegades who chose to inform on the movement. Each one describes a life of constant tension until they are revealed as police agents. They then face a
lifetime in fear of being murdered, usually away from their home, family and friends. A fear that Collins death shows is still present despite the IRA 'ceasefire' and Sinn Fein's sign-up to the 'peace process'.
Whether you consider Collins and his ilk to be traitors or heroes it is impossible to ignore their courage.
David H : Good
I thought it was an extremely enlightening book, dealing with major IRA operations in and around the Newry area. Although Collins the author is obviously of above average intelligence I find the text extremely bitter. On occassion when reading the book I failed to keep control of my emotions and swore blindly at his bigoted, fanatical opinions. With opinions like these it is no surprise that building bridges in this shattered community is a near impossible feat.
Oliver Breen: It's already in the bin
Although a small fish in a dangerous pond ,collins story could have had serious implications on an ongoing conflict .british intelligence sources would have learned alot more from the book than republicans . a non buy.
Brian Boru : It's already in the bin
Does a good job of showing both the admirable nationalistic roots of the young IRA recruits and the unpleasant results of the stupidity and desperation that often over-shadows the valiant efforts of Ireland's only remaining patriots. This book offers a good two-sided look at the Provos and the crown forces in Northern Ireland. A great read that makes you feel for the IRA, the Catholic and Protestant non-combatants, and even the corrupt RUC at different points in the book. It is ashame the poor bloke got gunned down for writing it.
Philip Barry: Good
I found a book to be an excellent perspective of the ongoing conflict in northern ireland. i believe that this book did provide a look at what the ira really is to people who do not know much about it and it let's them in on the real goings on, not just the glorified cause of rebels fighting for justice.
Elisabeth Dunstan : Excellent
couragous guy to tell all while others are to afraid
Eamonn Costello : Excellent
I found the book a compelling read from the start, it was interesting and tense. I admired his dedication and passion to the cause. As a supporter of republican cause I feel that what Eamonn Collins did for the movement in the beginning was pure devotion and throughout his life that devotion turned to disgust. Its very sad he died for speaking freely in a book but their are some things that should not be wrote or spoken about. I believe Eamonn Collins would have been a fine politician fighting for catholics rights.
Mike Clayton : Excellent
Contrary to some of the other reviews, the late Eamon Collins didn't waste his time by writing the book. The sad part of it all is ultimately the futility of violence. It has helped me understand how someone gets to be that way...but surely - for those who will listen - he showed clearly that this road goes not to glorious victory, but just suffering
No name given : Excellent
I am a 14 year old girl, living in an area described in this book. I find this book an excellent read. It has helped to open my mind to what people went through at this time. And has made me see that life in the IRA was not all adventures, but as a closing point would like to say that Eamon Collins was without a doubt a brave man but not to be confused with a soldier of Ireland.
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