I have done a lot of reading on Belfast and the IRA during my work on a novel about a musician who grows up in Belfast and moves to Minnesota. During the course of my own writing I have had many many questions about what his childhood would be like and if I am being realistic in my portrayal of this character. This book was an excellent resource for me, and based on the information in it, I have made some revisions to my character.

Belfast Diary gives the reader not only a "factual" picture of life in the war-torn city, but also evokes the spirit of the place. Many times, as I read, I found myself with tears in my eyes at the extreme conditions Belfast natives accept as "normal."

Conroy lived with Catholics in a Catholic neighbourhood as he wrote this book, so I have to admit it has a republican slant to it. I admire Conroy for putting himself into the poorest parts of the city and experiencing life there for himself. This is an excellent book.

Belfast Diary is a moving, eye opening experience. John Conroy takes you from the viewpoint of a questioning American to an insiders look at life in Northern Ireland. As a part of the Belfast community he takes you through important events with insight and understanding. He helps you understand how a community learns to accept violence as a way of life and how they survive it. This is a MUST read for anyone who is interested in understanding the "troubles", and anyone who cares about the people of Northern Ireland

For anyone interested in or ignorant of "The Troubles" this book is a must read. Written in a clear, concise and straight forward manner this book gives a brief background of the conflict in Northern Ireland, then provides a "snapshot" of life in the war torn city of Belfast from the a first person point of view/reference. Mr. Conroy must be applauded for having the courage and determination to immerse himself in a part of the world and into a subject, which it seems most (American and British, especially) journalists are unaware...by choice. One can only hope that the concept of "equal justice under law" will be the next permanent "fad" to invade Northern Ireland.

The above quote comes from the brief biographical piece on John Conroy included in the online program for the 2000 Amnesty International USA Midwest Regional Conference, one of the many human rights forums at which he has lent his expertise on torture as a featured speaker. I agree with the view expressed in the quote completely - this book brilliantly illuminates some fundamental truths that we must face if we are to eliminate torture.

The most important issue is alluded to in the following quote from the book's introduction (pp. ix-x): "When I embarked on this project, when I was still unsure as to what form the manuscript would take, dozens of people asked me if I was going to visit various nations well-known for their use of torture. It seemed to me that these well-meaning men and women had the idea that torture was something done in some backward civilization by the barely human and certainly ignorant. I was gradually becoming aware, however, that torture is something that most of us are capable of, and so I decided to use case studies that I thought American readers could identify with - 'people like us' who deployed the brutal methods I'd heard associated with the Third World."

The countries on which the case studies focus are Great Britain, Israel, and the United States. Most people in the United States would probably react to news of the project underlying this book in the same manner as Conroy describes, and would not understand why such a book would focus on the chosen countries. Therein lies the problem we must recognize if we are to end torture: torture is not something confined to far away or backward countries full of strange, ignorant people - despite the universal prohibitions on torture contained in international law and the laws of almost all nations, it is something that is also done by individuals functioning on behalf of our own and closely allied governments, purportedly in our interest, and with our approval or at least our acquiescence. As Conroy states (p. 240), "I found I did not have to journey far to learn that torture is something we abhor only when it is done to someone we like, preferably someone we like who lives in another country."

In my opinion, the most valuable works of nonfiction are characterized by accuracy, by focusing on important and unrecognized or insufficiently appreciated facets of life, by treating the subjects and readers with respect, and by a level of organization and quality of writing that makes the process of reading and thinking about the issues covered well worth the reader's time. This book succeeds in all of these aspects.

The organization of the book into four sections, each containing a chapter on each of the three case studies, followed by a chapter covering the fundamental issues brought to light by the case studies and by Conroy's additional research and analysis, serves as an excellent framework. Conroy is a highly gifted writer (one of the first things I did upon finishing the book was to buy and read his earlier and equally well written Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life), and the discussions of the case studies are well worth rereading, but the fact that one can glean the central points from the four summary/analysis chapters makes the book particularly useful as a continuing reference.

Having spent a number of years studying literatures on various forms of human violence and brutality, I can wholeheartedly endorse this book as illuminating a set of truths as important to those concerned with human rights as one is likely to find. Only a sampling can be included in a brief review.

One crucial section is in the first of the overview chapters, entitled "History and Method," where Conroy identifies four central aspects or patterns of torture through the ages. Another is his discussion of the Milgram experiments on obedience to authority in the chapter entitled "Torturers." Yet another is in the final chapter, entitled "Bystanders," where he describes how when evidence of torture in democracies is brought to light, there is a common pattern of denial and other responses more sympathetic and helpful to the torturers than to the victims.

The most crucial point of all is illuminated by Conroy's statement (p. 122) about what it was like to interview torturers: "The worst part of these interviews was that they were not difficult. Finding the men was not easy, convincing them to talk to me was hard work, but invariably our meetings went well. I never met the monster I anticipated." If we are to stop torture we must stop looking for monsters and begin by looking in the mirror and into our own hearts. If you are interested in helping, reading and absorbing the wisdom of this book is as good a first step as you can take.

Unlike books in which the cover promises much more than the author delivers, this one reflects "truth in advertising." The title and content fit together beautifully.

There may be better ways to illustrate the profound and disturbing fact that, given the right circumstances, ordinary people can and do commit unspeakable acts, but I doubt it. In an area in which authors seemingly find it easy to draw conclusions beyond their legitimate findings, and sensationalism can creep in with or without intention, John Conroy has done an excellent job of sticking with the facts and generally letting them speak for themselves. It's a good example of "less is more."

Conroy's extensive research and careful explication, coupled with
a carefully crafted framework for presentation of the data make it easy for the reader to follow what he is presenting. Setting forth examples of torture in three different settings and following this pattern of presentation in subsequent sections lets us end up with a clear gestalt of his material. A reporter, Conroy sticks to his training and avoids the temptation to
confuse his role with that of a research psychologist. The outcome:
--A clear presentation of what torture is and how ubiquitous it is.
--A strong blow to the common view that only monsters engage in torture and that torture occurs only in places far removed from us.

In appreciation to the author and to my son who recommended the book to me, I heartily commend it to anybody who seeks to understand today's world.

This was an amazing book about an extremely difficult subject. Very thought-provoking and informative.