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War and an Irish Town

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War and an Irish Town

By: Eamonn McCann
Narrated by: Eamonn McCann
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About this listen

McCann’s account of what it is like to grow up a Catholic in a Northern Irish ghetto - first published in 1974 - quickly became a classic account of the feelings generated by British rule. The author was at the center of events in Derry which first brought Northern Ireland to world attention. He witnessed the gradual transformation of the civil rights movement from a mild campaign for “British Democracy” to an all-out military assault on the British state.

This book describes the people involved in the war, gives an account of the springs of the "Catholic" opposition, tells what their world was like and how their background affected the daily conduct of events. McCann gets beyond the rhetoric of the organized groups to the real people involved - people who are not so different from those in any other British town.

©1974, 2018 Eamonn McCann. Introduction to Haymarket edition: Eamonn McCann (P)2018 Audible, Inc.
Biographies & Memoirs Europe Great Britain Political Science Social Sciences Sociology Ireland England War Northern Ireland
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Good Account Tainted By SWP Opportunism

This is a good account of the events leading & coomencing through the Irish civil rights movement significantly in Derry, North Of Ireland.
Unfortunately its crass attacks on the Republican movement significantly that generation born out of what the British so quaintly label the' troubles' and now in leadership is founded on the opportunism and frankly 'sour' grapes of he Socialist Workers Party of which E. McCann has dedicated his life.
This book is worth a read however accounts more accurate and less obscured by partisan loyalties from left progressive perspectives can be found in Politics Of The Streets B. Purdie & The Orange State Farrel. If you are not a Socialist Worker hack then these other give context and clarity to McCann's account and why his conclusions are deeply flawed; ie People Before Profit and it's dismal and sectrarian failure to manifest their radical alternative whilst slandering good Irish Republicans partiicularly Republican Socialists who a giants compared to these minnows.

Whilst McCaan and his trendy friends were pontificating in their cosy bar Sandinos, others significantly genuine revolutionaries in the Republican movement were fighting to good fight and dealing with politik real to ensure equal rights peace prosperity and a road to United Ireland during and after the peace process. It may not be perfect however this process and choice of ending the armed struggle imposed on them by bigoted fascist loyalist and British military & state is far more than McCaan and his ilk of Trotboids could offer.

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Very good

This is a very good read interesting and definitely worth your time and effort 👍

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1 person found this helpful

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Definitive working class history of Derry and Irel

outstanding, gripping, funny and sad. essential history of the working class in Derry and Ireland in the 20th century

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Essential

The best example of an author reading their own work I’ve ever listened to. Raw, intelligent, and hugely informative. I’m about to listen to it all again.

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Thought provoking

This book is a lot of things.
For me, as a closet socialist, it makes sense and makes me believe there is a better way to order our society.
Eamonn reads this perfectly. One of the best read books I've ever come across.
I also admire him for taking out a tome written decades before and examining it objectively. Doing this he inevitably finds mistakes galore. These he admits to and attempts to put right.
Thank you Eamonn.

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7 people found this helpful

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incredible book

Incredibly compelling, fascinating story. took a little while to get into it, but grew quickly to.love the self-narration by Eamonn McCann, which really brings it alive.

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4 people found this helpful

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Solid class analysis of both statelets and of key events from the mid 60s-70s

Onwards to the Socialist Republic of Ireland

Uppa RA/ Brits out but also build a 31 county marxist party

Afterward could have focussed more on present politics from Provisionals and the economic situation

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great insite into Irish history

MC cann does a brilliant job in reading his outstanding history of Derry and of the six counties . anyone wanting to know more about Irish history needs to listen to this book . outstanding

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Good history lesson.

Narrator has a very direct way of presenting the information. One the less, a very interesting insight.

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1 person found this helpful

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Unique perspective- on N.Irish politics & people

What a fresh perspective for me on a history I thought I had a hold on......

Whether you agree with his political genre.....his clear and equitable sourcing of little know sources.....with a real flavour how it was in Derry during the Troubles.....its been jaw-dropping while also blowing open my awareness of both sides!

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5 people found this helpful