'Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland' by Patrick Radden Keefe

 Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, Patrick Radden Keefe (3.5)

I think my biggest surprise in reading this book, was how intimate ‘The Troubles’ felt. By that, I mean that the long conflict in Northern Ireland during much of my childhood always seemed bigger and more deadly with many thousands of players over all of Northern Ireland. In reading this book, one realizes it was mostly in Belfast, with many of the main players active for many years, with 3,500 people dying over ~30 years. Of course, one can only imagine the daily stress of those living in Belfast at the time, though Mr. Keefe does an admirable job of allowing the reader to do just that. He meticulously interviewed those still living (and/or their families) and his research included reviewing the taped interviews of some key players who had died. Side note: a book should be written about the ethical issues concerning Boston College’s involvement and actions! My only disappointment is that the author spends most of the book on the paramilitary group, i.e. IRA, and has less focus on understanding the loyalist groups and British Army and government.