The Nothern Ireland question

[MinnieMountain]

I appreciate it's a big subject but what would be a good book to get me started on the history of Northern Ireland?

I've heard good things about Making Sense of The Troubles by David McKittrick. I'm not from Northern Ireland, though, and have no specialist knowledge, so I have no idea as to whether it reflects any particular bias or viewpoint.

It's a book of essays, but it's by Fintan O'Toole who is one of, if not the, best Irish journalist in political and social journalism - I enjoy and learn from everything he writes. He's written other books too - I'm not sure which deal specifically with the history but look him up.

www.amazon.co.uk/Lie-Land-Irish-Identities/dp/1859841325/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&s=books&crid=2DEDI8EKEGTCU&keywords=fintan+o%27toole&sprefix=fintan+%2Caps%2C227&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1588444877&sr=1-5

Another vote for Making Sense of the Troubles by David McKittrick. Gives the reader a good broad overview of Northern Irish History. More specific periods and aspects could then be followed up separately if required.

Thank you everyone.

It was a topic in my A level history many moons ago. Our lecturer left it out as he felt there was too much to cover (probably right but still...).

Ooh I LOVE fintan otoole in the Irish times! Going to get this.

A good novel though old is Shadows on our Skin, really brought both sides to me.

While it’s not going to give you a background to the Troubles, Milkman is great book and will have you feeling like you’re living them.

This is all great! In our book club we have been reading various books in history - such as partition in India, the Clearances in Scotland. I would so like to read up on this.

Fiction:

Trinity by Leon URIs
The Sadie and Kevin books. (Teen fiction ostensibly but still good)
Provo by Gordon someone. Bit SAS-y and not very deep but one particular bit still makes me feel sick if I think about it.