West Belfast is a book of the rise of a young man from street-fighting to full-scale terrorism. If you are interested in a very, very biased Republican (i.e. Sinn Fein) view of the beginning of the troubles, buy this book from a well-known, once convicted Sinn Fein spokesperson. For a much better novel with a similar scope (but less republican, more catholic) buy Maddens One by One in the Darkness. If you want to read the ultimate novel on Northern Ireland, read McLiam Wilsons Eureka Street.

Danny Morrison's first novel, West Belfast, is significant for its honest portrayal of a conflict which has been written on extensively by outsiders but rarely by the people involved. A Republican of some standing, his writings have been criticized by many who feel that the Irish Republican voice should not be heard. This is perhaps the first time that a modern Irish Republican has attempted to show in novel form what his community has gone through under British oppression. The writing is at times slightly awkward--it is a first novel as I said--but it is refreshing honest and sincere. A good examination of politics and general human concerns.

Danny Morrison is a former Irish nationalist terrorist and publicity director for the IRA front group Sinn Fein (ourselves alone). He now fancies himself as a writer and this is the sorry result. I tried reading this book but just could not get past the man's narrow and violent perspective. It's very depressing to enter his world.

A gripping story about the emotional reality of the political conflict in the North of Ireland. Morrison has been intimately involved in the struggle and paints the story with intelligence, detail, and understanding. Highly recommended!