By by Fergal Barr, Illustrated by David Campbell, Cover Design or
Much has been written about ‘The Troubles’ but only in recent times has text regarding the peace process in the 1990s begun to emerge. Drawing together quotations from a wide range of sources including politicians, academics, clergy, political activists, journalists and other commentators this book not only reflects key moments, arguments and issues but also represents the slow yet momentous political developments in Northern Ireland during the 1990’s.
This book also reflects key political debate and offers legitimacy to the diversity of opinions held in Northern Ireland. Views are often expressed in an articulate and eloquent manner with a sense of purpose and meaning and given the logic, belief and strength of feeling that underpins them are not out of place with the various political sensitivities of the time.
This book examines many contentious areas including victims, paramilitaries and prisoners, policing, marching and decommissioning and as much as contributors make arguments for and against, so to the reader can draw their own conclusions.
The book will prove particularly useful to those who are involved in peace building or community relations and/or who wish to gain a clearer understanding of the peace process in 1990’s Northern Ireland. It will also help you to formulate arguments, challenge opinion and confront prejudice and intolerance by reflecting on the wide range of views contained within the book that are not only reflective of the mainly Nationalist and Unionist communities but all parties who had in interest in the Peace Process.
FORMAT: Softcover
By Jean M Lucas
ÒBetween the Thin Blue LinesÓ, with its powerful Foreword from Sir John Major, highlights the gradual diminution in the dwindling profession of Conservative Party Agents. Once in 1947/8 nearly every constituency had the benefit of trained political advice. By the year 2000 fewer than a quarter of the previous number of Agents remained. Contributors to this book range from former Directors of Organisation and Campaigning to constituency Agents. Key bye-elections are described and the development of Conferences discussed. The inevitable heightening of security after the Brighton bomb has had its effect on all of us participating in the democratic process. The phenomenon of the Young Conservative movement is featured, as are the changes which computerisation has introduced. Often amusing, these stories read between the lines of what is known to have happened. Jean Lucas, for all of her professional life an Agent, but developing her late interest in writing, has drawn together the threads of the post-war decades into a tapestry of social history, irresistible to those who have ever taken an active role in UK politics.
FORMAT: Softcover