Ernie O'Malley was a leader in the 1916-1923 Revolution in Ireland, and a contemporary of Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera. This biography draws heavily on previously unseen archival material, and should be of interest to those studying modern Irish politics and the history of the IRA.

`It is, historiographically, a great leap forward and will undoubtedly provide one of the starting points for work on nationalism, republicanism, and violence for some time to come' Journal of Modern History, Vol 72, No 3 `The psychological spirit of inquiry here is itself practically unique in revolutionary autobiography, and a valuable model for further work' Journal of Modern History, Vol 72, No 3 `the book is succinct and thematic in structure' Journal of Modern History, Vol 72, No 3 `a fascinating and revealing account of a man who was considered by many to be unique and yet also was an emblem of his whole revolutionary generation.' Martina Evans, Irish Post, 7th Oct. 2000. `a small, well-crafted miniature portrait of an intriguing, unique Irish hero.' Ernie O'Malley, Irish Independent (Dublin) `Richard English succeeds very well in showing that O'Malley was far more than simply the cranky autodidact which he sometimes appeared to people who knew him in the 1940s and 1950s ... fascinating book.' Eunan O'Halpin, Irish Political Studies 1988 `innovative and perceptive...a fascinating thematic study'' Roy Foster, London Review of Books `This well researched book is consistently moving and often wise. As the people of Ireland come to terms with overlapping identities, they will have much to learn from it' Declan Kiberd, Times Literary Supplement `In his biography of O'Malley ... Richard Englsish fills out the facts of life in some detail: he is plainly fascinated by O'Malley, appears to have read everything written on or around the period, and he received much help from the O'Malley family and was given access to papers.' John McGahern, The Irish Times (Dublin) `an impressive job ... he has written an intelligent, scholarly and enjoyable book.' Peter McDermott, Irish Echo, New York `Richard English's cool, elegant prose and subtle argumentation raise this book above sectarian politics and provide academics, students, and the general reader with a fascinating insight into Irish republican thought and practice between the Easter Rising and the 1950s ... It is a biography which is pleasing to read, and will inevitably provoke students into taking more seriously the thought of Irish republicanism.' Joanna Bourke, Birkbeck College, Twentieth Century British History, Vol 1, no 10, 1999

The first in-depth biography of one of the leading republicans in the 1916-1923 Revolution A fascinating study of a bookish gunman who subsequently became a distinguished intellectual Makes extensive use of previously unseen records and family papers Essential reading for anybody seeking to understand the history and role of the IRA in modern Irish politics

The first in-depth biography of one of the leading republicans in the 1916-1923 Revolution A fascinating study of a bookish gunman who subsequently became a distinguished intellectual Makes extensive use of previously unseen records and family papers Essential reading for anybody seeking to understand the history and role of the IRA in modern Irish politics