This biography introduces Ernie O'Malley, whose post-revolutionary life was as turbulent as his IRA years. It also illustrates many persistent themes of Irish history, ranging from the origins and culture of militant republicanism to the development of intellectual and artistic life.

`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) `fine biography.' Brendan O Cathaoir, Irish Times 13/11/99 `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 10, no 1, 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