Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh

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This account of the IRA activities in South Armagh in Northern Ireland was recommended to me by a former colleague and dear friend.

In conclusion, Bandit Country has become a bookcase essential for anyone with an interest in the centuries-old Anglo-Irish conflict, or even those who have an interest in counter-insurgency matters in general. If you have any interest in the troubles, the IRA, or just unconventional warfare this is a remarkable read. It was then fitted with a red railway engine light to give it an authentic appearance by night on the railway lines, and of course, a large bomb loaded in the back of the hybrid-transit/train.The focus on South Armagh is key, as Harnden emphasizes the region's rebellious history, splintered ideology and recalcitrant personalities that helped escalate the violence, shift IRA attacks to the British homeland and threaten lasting peace -- in spite of overarching British/Sinn Fein political agreements.

it was a compelling read mind you revealing some of the tales of a troubled time and the intelligence used by both sides in getting information or resources.I would rate his hypothesis as understandable, but fairly typical of the British colonial mentality when dealing with Irish Republican areas. One example is the ludicrous suggestion that the Fergal Caraher shooting was justified, or that individual examples of Garda-PIRA collusion are in some way comparable to the systematic and endemic collusion across all ranges of the security forces in the North with loyalist death squads. Excellent background information on the South Armagh Brigade's involvement in the fight for Irish unification.