Review: Belfast diary
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsA Chicago journalist's low-key but vivid picture of daily life in war-torn Northern Ireland in 1980. When Conroy couldn't get a ""pleasant hotel"" quickly enough (as most American journalists do), he settled on a boardinghouse in Belfast's Clonard district, the heart of the Catholic ghetto. There, his landlady Bridget Barbour and others taught him much of day-to-day Catholic (""Irish Negro"") life. Though he'd planned to move to a more neutral district when a flat opened up, his fascination with what he was learning in Clonard kept him there for the ten months that he remained in Ireland. He witnessed the hunger-strike deaths of Tommy Sands and others, was present for an IRA break-in to his own boardinghouse, developed an intense sympathy for the Catholic situation (though the account he presents is humanistic and levelheaded rather than partisan), and was able to deduce that, despite daily bombings, street attacks, riots, and arrests, life does go on--even pleasurably, at times. With a brief history, he shows that ""The Troubles"" have in fact been present for hundreds of years. Conroy concludes with a quote from King William, who, as he conquered King James for the 36th time in 36 years, is said to have commented, ""We've been doing it so long that we don't need any practice."" In other words, there's no end in sight. Simple, unpretentious, and enlightening: Northern Ireland realistically--and sympathetically--portrayed.
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - Rebecca - GoodreadsWhile an interesting look at Northern Ireand, in particular the hunger strikes of the 1980s, I was looking for something more historical and less one sided. To me the issue was the author immersed ... Read full review
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - Cammie - GoodreadsThis is a great way to learn more about the Northern Irish "troubles". (I don't know why they call it the "troubles" - - makes it sound too innocuous, when it is anything but that.) I recommend this ... Read full review
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - Kathryn - GoodreadsA really fascinating and informative first person account of West Belfast during the time of the hunger strikes in the 1980s. Conroy (a Chicago journalist) is really honest about his limitations as an ... Read full review
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - Lauretta Farrell - GoodreadsExtraordinary look at lifie in the north of Irleand during the height of the troubles by an unaffiliated outsider. A must read for all interested in the history of the North of Ireland. Read full review
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - Sarah - GoodreadsI never knew how much problems northern Ireland had until i read this book.(and learned in my Irish history class). It was very informational. Read full review
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - Phil - GoodreadsA really interesting memoir that sheds a good light on Northern Ireland during the 1970s and early 80s. It's not really a history book, though Conroy does provide background information. Really though ... Read full review
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - GoodreadsGoing into this I was aware of my ignorance about "The Troubles" in northern Ireland. After reading it I now know exactly what I don't know. It was a brave, 'Gonzo' like type journalistic venture. The author lived in Belfast for the good part of two years. He lived this book.
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - Kristen - GoodreadsA clear, concise synopsis of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The author, American journalist John Conroy, discusses the time he spent living in a boarding house in the Catholic ghetto of west ... Read full review
Review: Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life
User Review - kathryn - Goodreadsrough city, crazy times. I would love to see a similar in depth 'update' to this book. Just having been to Belfast, I have my own ideas as to what story it would tell and I'd love to hear John Conroy ... Read full review
