Description
Smashing H-Block is a political history of the Irish republican struggle against criminalization from 1976 to 1982. This struggle, which culminated in the historic hunger strikes of 1980 and 1981, is widely regarded as a turning point in Ireland's 'Troubles', marking the 'last great wave of activism and mobilization within the nationalist population'. Unlike previous accounts of this period, this fascinating book focuses on the popular movement outside the prisons, challenging republican orthodoxy and stressing the importance of broad-based, grassroots movements in effecting political and social change. Ultimately, it was what happened outside the prisons during these years of protest that reshaped and revitalized modern Irish republicanism.
About the Author
F. Stuart Ross is a Derry-based activist and academic. He received his PhD from Queen's University Belfast and has also studied at Syracuse University and the London School of Economics.
Reviews
A most interesting book based on solid and detailed historical research, yet immensely readable, written in a fluid, jargon-free and no-nonsense style.
Cillian McGrattan
The path from being on the political fringe of the political scene in Northern Ireland to its present position as the dominant voice of northern nationalism could not have been achieved without the events from 1976-1981. Ross has shed valuable new light on how this was achieved. For those attempting to understand Northern Ireland's past and present, Smashing H-Block will prove to be a important contribution.
Brendan Lynn, Irish Literary Supplement
F Stuart Ross's book is essential for an understanding of what really happened in the hunger strike.
Eamonn McCann, Belfast Telegraph
A necessary and long-overdue new look at a vital phase in our recent history.
Derry Journal
Ross shows the complexity of alliances that composed the anti-H-Block campaign. Far from being a hunger strike inside the prison supported by Sinn Fein outside the prison, a conglomerate of forces made up the movement.
judecollins.com
Smashing H Block is an inspiring story of everyday people fighting back against an intransigent and brutal empire, told with astonishing and vivid detail.
Against the Current, A Socialist Journal, 164, May/June
This is an important book for the light it throws on the politics of the period and, in particular, in restoring the plain people to their proper place in the narrative....What the account makes clear is that the movement against the H-Blocks wasn't whistled up by republican leaders but was-like many other significant developments, including the peace process-a bottom-up affair....F. Stuart Ross's book is essential for an understanding of what really happened in the hunger strike.
Eamonn McCann, Belfast Telegraph
This gives a very different view of the campaign around the prison protests, one that few of us know and one that is sorely needed. It also points out that violence actually undercuts mass movements and is counter-productive to political progress. One other point the book makes, although it may be unintentional, is that it clearly illustrates the evolution of Sinn Fein in to the Party it is today and how it managed to overwhelm and absorb people and parties in to their particular version of politics. A MUST read.
The most comprehensive academic work on the subject so far.
Maggie Scull, The Irish Times
Ross's book takes a different tack by examining the nature and wider significance of the mobilisation of grassroots support for republican prisoners during this period....He challenges key themes of the Provisional I.R.A.'s established narrative of the 1980-81 Hunger Strikes.
Kevin Bean, Irish Historical Studies
Book Information
ISBN 9781846317101
Author F. Stuart Ross
Format Paperback
Page Count 226
Imprint Liverpool University Press
Publisher Liverpool University Press
Weight(grams) 304g
About the Author
F. Stuart Ross is a Derry-based activist and academic. He received his PhD from Queen's University Belfast and has also studied at Syracuse University and the London School of Economics.
Reviews
A most interesting book based on solid and detailed historical research, yet immensely readable, written in a fluid, jargon-free and no-nonsense style.
Cillian McGrattan
The path from being on the political fringe of the political scene in Northern Ireland to its present position as the dominant voice of northern nationalism could not have been achieved without the events from 1976-1981. Ross has shed valuable new light on how this was achieved. For those attempting to understand Northern Ireland's past and present, Smashing H-Block will prove to be a important contribution.
Brendan Lynn, Irish Literary Supplement
F Stuart Ross's book is essential for an understanding of what really happened in the hunger strike.
Eamonn McCann, Belfast Telegraph
A necessary and long-overdue new look at a vital phase in our recent history.
Derry Journal
Ross shows the complexity of alliances that composed the anti-H-Block campaign. Far from being a hunger strike inside the prison supported by Sinn Fein outside the prison, a conglomerate of forces made up the movement.
judecollins.com
Smashing H Block is an inspiring story of everyday people fighting back against an intransigent and brutal empire, told with astonishing and vivid detail.
Against the Current, A Socialist Journal, 164, May/June
This is an important book for the light it throws on the politics of the period and, in particular, in restoring the plain people to their proper place in the narrative....What the account makes clear is that the movement against the H-Blocks wasn't whistled up by republican leaders but was-like many other significant developments, including the peace process-a bottom-up affair....F. Stuart Ross's book is essential for an understanding of what really happened in the hunger strike.
Eamonn McCann, Belfast Telegraph
This gives a very different view of the campaign around the prison protests, one that few of us know and one that is sorely needed. It also points out that violence actually undercuts mass movements and is counter-productive to political progress. One other point the book makes, although it may be unintentional, is that it clearly illustrates the evolution of Sinn Fein in to the Party it is today and how it managed to overwhelm and absorb people and parties in to their particular version of politics. A MUST read.
Anthony S. Novosel
The most comprehensive academic work on the subject so far.
Maggie Scull, The Irish Times
Ross's book takes a different tack by examining the nature and wider significance of the mobilisation of grassroots support for republican prisoners during this period....He challenges key themes of the Provisional I.R.A.'s established narrative of the 1980-81 Hunger Strikes.
Kevin Bean, Irish Historical Studies
Book Information
ISBN 9781846317101
Author F. Stuart Ross
Format Paperback
Page Count 226
Imprint Liverpool University Press
Publisher Liverpool University Press
Weight(grams) 304g
