Husain-Dog, yo spack mo speech, 08 Nov 2008
Husain-Dog, yo spack it nice, like tha cream-king yo are. International relations, innit. Yo put it down real fine. Word atter word, it maks good sense what yo linguistify. Know fo' sure, yo message taken to heart Husain-Dog.

Ex Shia, 17 Oct 2008
As an ex Shia I enjoyed many of the arguments that Ed presented in his book and it helped in my journey back towards more orthodox beliefs, namely, those of Ahl Sunnah.

I just regret the years of moving around groups and ideologies and hope that writings like this could have been available sooner.

With Salams

Pertinent exposé written for the culturally aware, 11 Oct 2008
Eye-opening, honest and intense. I read 'The Islamist' back when it was first released, curious yet naive to the true picture of radical Islam in the West. As with any religion, there are followers who have their faith exploited and distorted. 'The Islamist' is a fascinating account of one man's membership to an extreme organisation, as he fell victim to a way of life that terrifies those on the outside.

Although I read this memoir to fuel my interest in current affairs, the main reason I picked it up is because I wanted to grasp the underlying differences between the beliefs of traditional muslims and those of Islamic extremists. It truely opened my eyes to a culture that I had only been exposed to through the media. Reading books on the subject written in third person are great for gaining an overall, more academic understanding, but Ed Hussain here offers a much greater insight into how and why these groups behave.

Terrorism is a subject on everyone's lips, which is why Hussain's story is so important. Personally however, I believe everone should read this book to eliminate the prejudice that is experienced by so many British Muslims. It is a terrible shame that in the 21st century, it is wrongly assumed by many that those who believe in the same God and dress the same follow the same way of life.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there., 27 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....

Clear, contempory, chilling and compulsive, 09 Sep 2008
Great book. A timely counterpoint and contribution to the whole Islam vs. everyone else debate that characterises much / all of the media coverage of this. However, I found the book to be a fascinating and compelling account of one man's search for religious definition and meaning - something that many people experience regardless of their faith or lack of it. As a result I found the book informative as I learnt about the issues between Islam vs. Wahabism that I knew little about but it was also useful to compare and contrast his experiences and struggles with faith with my own, even though as a CofE person I am somewhat removed from his direct experiences. Would commend this to everyone as a valuable view into contempory issues as well as spiritual journey's

We know that John Scullion, a Catholic shot dead in 1966, was the first. If only we could be sure that Charles Bennet, killed 33 years later, was the last. They are the opening and closing entries in this towering volume that documents the deaths of the 3600 men, women and children killed as a result of the troubles in Northern Ireland over the last 34 years. They are all here, IRA men and British soldiers, Loyalist terrorists and RUC officers, shoppers and tourists, mothers and children; those who made the news, those murdered unnoticed and unmourned by the outside world. In dispassionate, objective prose, the authors--three journalists and an academic--record the circumstances of every death and a detail about the dead. Here are the men who chose to fight, here are the people who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. And here, in 1998, close to what we can only hope must be the end, are the dead of Omagh. In their story, as in others in this catalogue of evil, the humanity of those who rush to help the injured comes in moving contrast to the inhumanity of those behind the bomb. This book--a brilliant combination of the journalistic and the scholarly--will stand as a memorial to the dead. Would that it never requires a sequel. --Kim Fletcher

Husain-Dog, yo spack mo speech, 08 Nov 2008
Husain-Dog, yo spack it nice, like tha cream-king yo are. International relations, innit. Yo put it down real fine. Word atter word, it maks good sense what yo linguistify. Know fo' sure, yo message taken to heart Husain-Dog.

Ex Shia, 17 Oct 2008
As an ex Shia I enjoyed many of the arguments that Ed presented in his book and it helped in my journey back towards more orthodox beliefs, namely, those of Ahl Sunnah.

I just regret the years of moving around groups and ideologies and hope that writings like this could have been available sooner.

With Salams

Pertinent exposé written for the culturally aware, 11 Oct 2008
Eye-opening, honest and intense. I read 'The Islamist' back when it was first released, curious yet naive to the true picture of radical Islam in the West. As with any religion, there are followers who have their faith exploited and distorted. 'The Islamist' is a fascinating account of one man's membership to an extreme organisation, as he fell victim to a way of life that terrifies those on the outside.

Although I read this memoir to fuel my interest in current affairs, the main reason I picked it up is because I wanted to grasp the underlying differences between the beliefs of traditional muslims and those of Islamic extremists. It truely opened my eyes to a culture that I had only been exposed to through the media. Reading books on the subject written in third person are great for gaining an overall, more academic understanding, but Ed Hussain here offers a much greater insight into how and why these groups behave.

Terrorism is a subject on everyone's lips, which is why Hussain's story is so important. Personally however, I believe everone should read this book to eliminate the prejudice that is experienced by so many British Muslims. It is a terrible shame that in the 21st century, it is wrongly assumed by many that those who believe in the same God and dress the same follow the same way of life.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there., 27 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....

Clear, contempory, chilling and compulsive, 09 Sep 2008
Great book. A timely counterpoint and contribution to the whole Islam vs. everyone else debate that characterises much / all of the media coverage of this. However, I found the book to be a fascinating and compelling account of one man's search for religious definition and meaning - something that many people experience regardless of their faith or lack of it. As a result I found the book informative as I learnt about the issues between Islam vs. Wahabism that I knew little about but it was also useful to compare and contrast his experiences and struggles with faith with my own, even though as a CofE person I am somewhat removed from his direct experiences. Would commend this to everyone as a valuable view into contempory issues as well as spiritual journey's

Harrowing read, 16 Nov 2008
a book written by a American,Prodestant and catholic writers,doesnt attempt to gloryfy the troubles like some books ive read do just puts the whole conflict in prospective and lists everyone whole sadly died giving a small paragraph on the events leading to thier deaths.Harrowing ,very sad ,a must read for anyone who wants a unbiased comprehensive look at the Northern Ireland troubles

Should be compulsory., 24 Sep 2008
I came to this book a bit late - in 2007 - after always meaning to look at it but not quite finding the time. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get a copy - like some other reviewers I was surprised at how many victims I knew, or how many people and incidents I'd forgotten. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in Northern Ireland, or conflict in general as the sheer volume of work serves as a fitting memorial for those we shouldn't forget. The petty reviewer who offered one star needs his/her "head examined" in Ulster colloquial-speak.

Totally engrossing, 26 Dec 2007
I received this book as a christmas present, much to my family's amazement. But as they browsed through it after our christmas dinner they were all drawn into it's web.

This book provides an account of each troubles related death, beginning in 1966 then year by year. Each year begins with a brief statement of fact about the state of play in that year and then proceeds to detail each person who lost their life, along with a factual based account of the circumstances.

It cleverly cross references other related entries. Before you know it you are caught up in the web going from an account of the hunger strikes to the shooting of three IRA members in Gibraltar to Michael Stone's attack on an IRA funeral and the subsequent murder of two soldiers at another funeral. And so it goes on.

One line from the introduction of this book summed in up for me it is "an account of what happens when a community decides to resolve its differences through violence".

I am sure there are ommissions, inaccuracies and mistakes but it is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the troubles and who wishes to discover more about the human cost of the conflict.



Not just a book - but a valuable memorial, 03 Dec 2006
I have to say that when I lift this book from it's space on the shelf, I always find it hard to stop reading it and to put it down.

As I read through the chronological order, I can often remember what I was doing at that time, and I can often recollect hearing about the victims, often briefly mentioned in dispassionate news broadcasts, with little time spent putting any of it into context. This is where the book re-dresses that inbalance. With even the smaller paragraph entries, the victim becomes someone - taken too early and before their time.

This is a masterful piece of work that deserves to be applauded. It also deserves to be in every school library in Northern Ireland.


Essential reading, 27 Oct 2006
I haven't finished this. I never will. It is too heart-rending. It lists 3697 victims of the Troubles, including not only those who died as a direct result of violent acts, but also others whose deaths, ostensibly due to natural causes, was obviously related to the violence.

The gut-wrenching thing is the sheer pointlessness of it all. The bloke who worked for the Queen as a royal coachman, out bird-watching one day, killed by the British army in crossfire in a battle with the IRA. The Unionist councillor, blown up in his car, on his way out of a meeting where he had asked fellow councillors to show a mark of respect to a Catholic victim of Loyalists a few days before.

I found I had forgotten so much of this. It's all terrible, all difficult to read. The worst of all are the stories of children like the little girl killed in the Omagh bomb at the age of 20 months, as her mother was buying her shoes for her uncle's wedding where she was to be a flower girl.

Grim though it is, I am really glad that the authors went to the trouble of compiling all this information. Putting everyone in context, all in one book, sorted only by chronological order, is a reminder that whatever the grand historical rights and wrongs, death is death and all who died left loved ones behind them. I wish this kind of survey could be done for other conflicts.

Husain-Dog, yo spack mo speech, 08 Nov 2008
Husain-Dog, yo spack it nice, like tha cream-king yo are. International relations, innit. Yo put it down real fine. Word atter word, it maks good sense what yo linguistify. Know fo' sure, yo message taken to heart Husain-Dog.

Ex Shia, 17 Oct 2008
As an ex Shia I enjoyed many of the arguments that Ed presented in his book and it helped in my journey back towards more orthodox beliefs, namely, those of Ahl Sunnah.

I just regret the years of moving around groups and ideologies and hope that writings like this could have been available sooner.

With Salams

Pertinent exposé written for the culturally aware, 11 Oct 2008
Eye-opening, honest and intense. I read 'The Islamist' back when it was first released, curious yet naive to the true picture of radical Islam in the West. As with any religion, there are followers who have their faith exploited and distorted. 'The Islamist' is a fascinating account of one man's membership to an extreme organisation, as he fell victim to a way of life that terrifies those on the outside.

Although I read this memoir to fuel my interest in current affairs, the main reason I picked it up is because I wanted to grasp the underlying differences between the beliefs of traditional muslims and those of Islamic extremists. It truely opened my eyes to a culture that I had only been exposed to through the media. Reading books on the subject written in third person are great for gaining an overall, more academic understanding, but Ed Hussain here offers a much greater insight into how and why these groups behave.

Terrorism is a subject on everyone's lips, which is why Hussain's story is so important. Personally however, I believe everone should read this book to eliminate the prejudice that is experienced by so many British Muslims. It is a terrible shame that in the 21st century, it is wrongly assumed by many that those who believe in the same God and dress the same follow the same way of life.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there., 27 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....

Clear, contempory, chilling and compulsive, 09 Sep 2008
Great book. A timely counterpoint and contribution to the whole Islam vs. everyone else debate that characterises much / all of the media coverage of this. However, I found the book to be a fascinating and compelling account of one man's search for religious definition and meaning - something that many people experience regardless of their faith or lack of it. As a result I found the book informative as I learnt about the issues between Islam vs. Wahabism that I knew little about but it was also useful to compare and contrast his experiences and struggles with faith with my own, even though as a CofE person I am somewhat removed from his direct experiences. Would commend this to everyone as a valuable view into contempory issues as well as spiritual journey's

Harrowing read, 16 Nov 2008
a book written by a American,Prodestant and catholic writers,doesnt attempt to gloryfy the troubles like some books ive read do just puts the whole conflict in prospective and lists everyone whole sadly died giving a small paragraph on the events leading to thier deaths.Harrowing ,very sad ,a must read for anyone who wants a unbiased comprehensive look at the Northern Ireland troubles

Should be compulsory., 24 Sep 2008
I came to this book a bit late - in 2007 - after always meaning to look at it but not quite finding the time. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get a copy - like some other reviewers I was surprised at how many victims I knew, or how many people and incidents I'd forgotten. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in Northern Ireland, or conflict in general as the sheer volume of work serves as a fitting memorial for those we shouldn't forget. The petty reviewer who offered one star needs his/her "head examined" in Ulster colloquial-speak.

Totally engrossing, 26 Dec 2007
I received this book as a christmas present, much to my family's amazement. But as they browsed through it after our christmas dinner they were all drawn into it's web.

This book provides an account of each troubles related death, beginning in 1966 then year by year. Each year begins with a brief statement of fact about the state of play in that year and then proceeds to detail each person who lost their life, along with a factual based account of the circumstances.

It cleverly cross references other related entries. Before you know it you are caught up in the web going from an account of the hunger strikes to the shooting of three IRA members in Gibraltar to Michael Stone's attack on an IRA funeral and the subsequent murder of two soldiers at another funeral. And so it goes on.

One line from the introduction of this book summed in up for me it is "an account of what happens when a community decides to resolve its differences through violence".

I am sure there are ommissions, inaccuracies and mistakes but it is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the troubles and who wishes to discover more about the human cost of the conflict.



Not just a book - but a valuable memorial, 03 Dec 2006
I have to say that when I lift this book from it's space on the shelf, I always find it hard to stop reading it and to put it down.

As I read through the chronological order, I can often remember what I was doing at that time, and I can often recollect hearing about the victims, often briefly mentioned in dispassionate news broadcasts, with little time spent putting any of it into context. This is where the book re-dresses that inbalance. With even the smaller paragraph entries, the victim becomes someone - taken too early and before their time.

This is a masterful piece of work that deserves to be applauded. It also deserves to be in every school library in Northern Ireland.


Essential reading, 27 Oct 2006
I haven't finished this. I never will. It is too heart-rending. It lists 3697 victims of the Troubles, including not only those who died as a direct result of violent acts, but also others whose deaths, ostensibly due to natural causes, was obviously related to the violence.

The gut-wrenching thing is the sheer pointlessness of it all. The bloke who worked for the Queen as a royal coachman, out bird-watching one day, killed by the British army in crossfire in a battle with the IRA. The Unionist councillor, blown up in his car, on his way out of a meeting where he had asked fellow councillors to show a mark of respect to a Catholic victim of Loyalists a few days before.

I found I had forgotten so much of this. It's all terrible, all difficult to read. The worst of all are the stories of children like the little girl killed in the Omagh bomb at the age of 20 months, as her mother was buying her shoes for her uncle's wedding where she was to be a flower girl.

Grim though it is, I am really glad that the authors went to the trouble of compiling all this information. Putting everyone in context, all in one book, sorted only by chronological order, is a reminder that whatever the grand historical rights and wrongs, death is death and all who died left loved ones behind them. I wish this kind of survey could be done for other conflicts.

wee man, 12 Aug 2007
Ferris is well liked and respected in scotland (im originally from dumbarton so qualified to say so)This is a good read,although given the material it should be.However where it is let down is Mckays inept and contradictory writing.Read more than one of Mckays books and his stories change.2 examples. In this book blind jonah loses his eye after a drunk throws a glass in a bar and hits him in the face , however in TC Campbells book he loses the same eye in a gang fight.Example 2 the Arthur Thompson ,KRAY twin story goes from being "undoubtedly untrue" in this book , to "this definetely happened"in the Last godfather.Ferris credibility would be better served getting a more skilled co author for his next book.

Yes, well, 15 Dec 2006
The other half of "The Last Godfather" in which the final details of Ferris' life and revealed.

A very interesting read for anyone from Glasgow although is written in two parts which make it seem slightly ameteur at times, not bad enough to loose a star over though.

Another good book Reg, how about you do Tam McGraw now and complete the set?

Five star read, 13 Aug 2006
Just read this book a superb insight into the Glasgow underground , come back to order Vendetta: Turning Your Back on Crime Can Be Deadly...also by Paul Ferris

How the other half live, 25 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I knew that the line between life and death was thin, but after reading this I didn't appreciate just how thin it was. The book doesn't glorify this way of life it treats it matter of factly, which is exactly how people in those positions view it. What was more shocking was the case against the Strathclyde Police, where the ends justify the means and we'll get you off of the streets fair means or foul. The reason that I only gave this un-put downable book 4 stars was the honour amongst thieves bit, we never hurt women or children or anyone who wasn't involved, then goes on to describe how in he slashes a stranger in a pub who accidentily struck him.
Well written and to the point, very well worth the read.

A good insight into the underside of Glasgow, 20 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I know that the line between life and death is very thin. This book highlights just how thin that line is and how people can live like this, better to have lived like this and died young, than never have lived at all. I was shocked to read how corrupt parts of the Strathclyde Police force were, where they believe that the ends justify the means. I always knew they were not squeeky clean but to see how dirty it is/was, was shocking.
The reason I only gave this 4 stars was I respected Ferris's honesty about what he had done and how he had gone about things, the matter of factness about sorting people out was the basis of that honesty. I also got the impression that if you met Ferris in a pub he would be a bit of a laugh, just don't get on the wrong side of him. BUT, the honour amongst villans, where you never did it to non-villans, women or children was a step too far. He admitted slashing someone in a pub who struck him by accident because they were fighting someone else, being a case in point.
Despite that small flaw, it was an excellent read and I couldn't put the book down, read it non stop, cover to cover.

Husain-Dog, yo spack mo speech, 08 Nov 2008
Husain-Dog, yo spack it nice, like tha cream-king yo are. International relations, innit. Yo put it down real fine. Word atter word, it maks good sense what yo linguistify. Know fo' sure, yo message taken to heart Husain-Dog.

Ex Shia, 17 Oct 2008
As an ex Shia I enjoyed many of the arguments that Ed presented in his book and it helped in my journey back towards more orthodox beliefs, namely, those of Ahl Sunnah.

I just regret the years of moving around groups and ideologies and hope that writings like this could have been available sooner.

With Salams

Pertinent exposé written for the culturally aware, 11 Oct 2008
Eye-opening, honest and intense. I read 'The Islamist' back when it was first released, curious yet naive to the true picture of radical Islam in the West. As with any religion, there are followers who have their faith exploited and distorted. 'The Islamist' is a fascinating account of one man's membership to an extreme organisation, as he fell victim to a way of life that terrifies those on the outside.

Although I read this memoir to fuel my interest in current affairs, the main reason I picked it up is because I wanted to grasp the underlying differences between the beliefs of traditional muslims and those of Islamic extremists. It truely opened my eyes to a culture that I had only been exposed to through the media. Reading books on the subject written in third person are great for gaining an overall, more academic understanding, but Ed Hussain here offers a much greater insight into how and why these groups behave.

Terrorism is a subject on everyone's lips, which is why Hussain's story is so important. Personally however, I believe everone should read this book to eliminate the prejudice that is experienced by so many British Muslims. It is a terrible shame that in the 21st century, it is wrongly assumed by many that those who believe in the same God and dress the same follow the same way of life.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there., 27 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....

Clear, contempory, chilling and compulsive, 09 Sep 2008
Great book. A timely counterpoint and contribution to the whole Islam vs. everyone else debate that characterises much / all of the media coverage of this. However, I found the book to be a fascinating and compelling account of one man's search for religious definition and meaning - something that many people experience regardless of their faith or lack of it. As a result I found the book informative as I learnt about the issues between Islam vs. Wahabism that I knew little about but it was also useful to compare and contrast his experiences and struggles with faith with my own, even though as a CofE person I am somewhat removed from his direct experiences. Would commend this to everyone as a valuable view into contempory issues as well as spiritual journey's

Harrowing read, 16 Nov 2008
a book written by a American,Prodestant and catholic writers,doesnt attempt to gloryfy the troubles like some books ive read do just puts the whole conflict in prospective and lists everyone whole sadly died giving a small paragraph on the events leading to thier deaths.Harrowing ,very sad ,a must read for anyone who wants a unbiased comprehensive look at the Northern Ireland troubles

Should be compulsory., 24 Sep 2008
I came to this book a bit late - in 2007 - after always meaning to look at it but not quite finding the time. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get a copy - like some other reviewers I was surprised at how many victims I knew, or how many people and incidents I'd forgotten. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in Northern Ireland, or conflict in general as the sheer volume of work serves as a fitting memorial for those we shouldn't forget. The petty reviewer who offered one star needs his/her "head examined" in Ulster colloquial-speak.

Totally engrossing, 26 Dec 2007
I received this book as a christmas present, much to my family's amazement. But as they browsed through it after our christmas dinner they were all drawn into it's web.

This book provides an account of each troubles related death, beginning in 1966 then year by year. Each year begins with a brief statement of fact about the state of play in that year and then proceeds to detail each person who lost their life, along with a factual based account of the circumstances.

It cleverly cross references other related entries. Before you know it you are caught up in the web going from an account of the hunger strikes to the shooting of three IRA members in Gibraltar to Michael Stone's attack on an IRA funeral and the subsequent murder of two soldiers at another funeral. And so it goes on.

One line from the introduction of this book summed in up for me it is "an account of what happens when a community decides to resolve its differences through violence".

I am sure there are ommissions, inaccuracies and mistakes but it is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the troubles and who wishes to discover more about the human cost of the conflict.



Not just a book - but a valuable memorial, 03 Dec 2006
I have to say that when I lift this book from it's space on the shelf, I always find it hard to stop reading it and to put it down.

As I read through the chronological order, I can often remember what I was doing at that time, and I can often recollect hearing about the victims, often briefly mentioned in dispassionate news broadcasts, with little time spent putting any of it into context. This is where the book re-dresses that inbalance. With even the smaller paragraph entries, the victim becomes someone - taken too early and before their time.

This is a masterful piece of work that deserves to be applauded. It also deserves to be in every school library in Northern Ireland.


Essential reading, 27 Oct 2006
I haven't finished this. I never will. It is too heart-rending. It lists 3697 victims of the Troubles, including not only those who died as a direct result of violent acts, but also others whose deaths, ostensibly due to natural causes, was obviously related to the violence.

The gut-wrenching thing is the sheer pointlessness of it all. The bloke who worked for the Queen as a royal coachman, out bird-watching one day, killed by the British army in crossfire in a battle with the IRA. The Unionist councillor, blown up in his car, on his way out of a meeting where he had asked fellow councillors to show a mark of respect to a Catholic victim of Loyalists a few days before.

I found I had forgotten so much of this. It's all terrible, all difficult to read. The worst of all are the stories of children like the little girl killed in the Omagh bomb at the age of 20 months, as her mother was buying her shoes for her uncle's wedding where she was to be a flower girl.

Grim though it is, I am really glad that the authors went to the trouble of compiling all this information. Putting everyone in context, all in one book, sorted only by chronological order, is a reminder that whatever the grand historical rights and wrongs, death is death and all who died left loved ones behind them. I wish this kind of survey could be done for other conflicts.

wee man, 12 Aug 2007
Ferris is well liked and respected in scotland (im originally from dumbarton so qualified to say so)This is a good read,although given the material it should be.However where it is let down is Mckays inept and contradictory writing.Read more than one of Mckays books and his stories change.2 examples. In this book blind jonah loses his eye after a drunk throws a glass in a bar and hits him in the face , however in TC Campbells book he loses the same eye in a gang fight.Example 2 the Arthur Thompson ,KRAY twin story goes from being "undoubtedly untrue" in this book , to "this definetely happened"in the Last godfather.Ferris credibility would be better served getting a more skilled co author for his next book.

Yes, well, 15 Dec 2006
The other half of "The Last Godfather" in which the final details of Ferris' life and revealed.

A very interesting read for anyone from Glasgow although is written in two parts which make it seem slightly ameteur at times, not bad enough to loose a star over though.

Another good book Reg, how about you do Tam McGraw now and complete the set?

Five star read, 13 Aug 2006
Just read this book a superb insight into the Glasgow underground , come back to order Vendetta: Turning Your Back on Crime Can Be Deadly...also by Paul Ferris

How the other half live, 25 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I knew that the line between life and death was thin, but after reading this I didn't appreciate just how thin it was. The book doesn't glorify this way of life it treats it matter of factly, which is exactly how people in those positions view it. What was more shocking was the case against the Strathclyde Police, where the ends justify the means and we'll get you off of the streets fair means or foul. The reason that I only gave this un-put downable book 4 stars was the honour amongst thieves bit, we never hurt women or children or anyone who wasn't involved, then goes on to describe how in he slashes a stranger in a pub who accidentily struck him.
Well written and to the point, very well worth the read.

A good insight into the underside of Glasgow, 20 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I know that the line between life and death is very thin. This book highlights just how thin that line is and how people can live like this, better to have lived like this and died young, than never have lived at all. I was shocked to read how corrupt parts of the Strathclyde Police force were, where they believe that the ends justify the means. I always knew they were not squeeky clean but to see how dirty it is/was, was shocking.
The reason I only gave this 4 stars was I respected Ferris's honesty about what he had done and how he had gone about things, the matter of factness about sorting people out was the basis of that honesty. I also got the impression that if you met Ferris in a pub he would be a bit of a laugh, just don't get on the wrong side of him. BUT, the honour amongst villans, where you never did it to non-villans, women or children was a step too far. He admitted slashing someone in a pub who struck him by accident because they were fighting someone else, being a case in point.
Despite that small flaw, it was an excellent read and I couldn't put the book down, read it non stop, cover to cover.

ochmister, 17 Jun 2008
An amazing read, full credit to the author. I thought the Ira were bad, but johnny adair and his crew were worse!
The book goes into great detail on the man and alot of people who were there and supported him. It is amazing that a normal skinhead became a leading figure in a powerful force, the uff.
The book is about his rise and his downfall. But reading this and about him,i am sure he will be back. If you need to know about his history and the uff, get this book.

An interesting read, 24 Nov 2006
An interesting read about a truly despicable individual. Johnny Adair is to some a loyalist icon and to others just a sick man poisoned by the troubles and conveniently clung to the Irish Unionist cause to commit murder. In the end even the Loyalists ran him out of Belfast because he was more interested in lining his pockets than any notions of patriotism.

The difference between Republican icons like Bobby Sands and Adair is stark. Would Adair have starved himself to death for the freedom of his country or was he only 'loyal' to the Unionist Union Jack when his pockets were full with the spoils of his crimes? Even in a normal society the likes of Adair would have been drawn to crime and violence; could the same be said for Bobby Sands and co....

mad dog, 16 Feb 2004
great book about a man that is surely lucky to be alive having taken the fight to the ira and is still alive altough in prison to tell the tail well worth a read to anybody that is intrested in the northern irish problems it shows another side to this conflict not like some of the ira books out there a patriot to the end still waiting to see the fate of mr adair now the peace procell is still working

The myth of Mad Dog exposed, 19 Dec 2003
Johnny Adair deserves notoriety in our society and this book cements this. This distateful individual was responsible for striking terror into the population of Ulster, not just Catholics but towards the end the very people he claimed to be defending. Who are now committed to killing his associates in Bolton! A truly horrific account of purely sectarian and in my opinion inexcusable violence, which in turn raises a number of worrying issues such as security forces collusion, but I don't feel this is the key to the book. I find the analysis of Adair's character and personality far more facinating. An inmature, self-centred and egotistical individual, Adair's rise to power within the Loyalist movement is disturbing given what the reader of "Mad Dog" now knows. And also the fact that both Loyalist and NAtionalist terrorists appeared to turn to organised crime en masse after the Ceasefire, perhaps questioning their motives during The Troubles. Well worth a look.

very detailed biography, 08 Nov 2003
born 1963,this book looks briefly at his early life. in the 80s he joined the largest protestant paramilitary organisation,the ulster defence association(UDA). the UDA 2nd battalion controlled west belfast. divided into A,B and C companies. C company itself was divided into 18 units,C1 up to C18,each consisting of 30 to 60 men. i liked the fact the book described the structure for the first time i've seen. by the late 80s the authorities acted against the UDA and imprisoned much of the leadership . ironically younger UDA men like adair welcomed this as they were seen as too cautious and some were special branch informants. now the the "young turks" had taken over and could increase attacks. between 1990 and 1994,adairs unit killed 40 people. the irish republican army (IRA) hated adair and tried to kill him many times.this led to the botched shankhill bomb attack,which killed 9 innocent protestants.adair had an ongoing feud with the north belfast IRA leader (who is named and his photograph is in the book,as is the overall belfast brigade IRA leader). however in 1994 he was secretly recorded boasting of his activities and jailed. released in 1999,he got into a murderous feud with rival protestant organisation the ulster volunteer force(UVF). jailed again,released may 2002. he made the mistake of trying to take over the whole of the UDA,which has a loose federal structure. more killings,adair jailed again. but after adairs men killed another UDA leader,the whole UDA chased his family and supporters out of ulster to england and scotland.it details the leading personalities in adairs unit and includes their photographs. a good very detailed book.recommended

Husain-Dog, yo spack mo speech, 08 Nov 2008
Husain-Dog, yo spack it nice, like tha cream-king yo are. International relations, innit. Yo put it down real fine. Word atter word, it maks good sense what yo linguistify. Know fo' sure, yo message taken to heart Husain-Dog.

Ex Shia, 17 Oct 2008
As an ex Shia I enjoyed many of the arguments that Ed presented in his book and it helped in my journey back towards more orthodox beliefs, namely, those of Ahl Sunnah.

I just regret the years of moving around groups and ideologies and hope that writings like this could have been available sooner.

With Salams

Pertinent exposé written for the culturally aware, 11 Oct 2008
Eye-opening, honest and intense. I read 'The Islamist' back when it was first released, curious yet naive to the true picture of radical Islam in the West. As with any religion, there are followers who have their faith exploited and distorted. 'The Islamist' is a fascinating account of one man's membership to an extreme organisation, as he fell victim to a way of life that terrifies those on the outside.

Although I read this memoir to fuel my interest in current affairs, the main reason I picked it up is because I wanted to grasp the underlying differences between the beliefs of traditional muslims and those of Islamic extremists. It truely opened my eyes to a culture that I had only been exposed to through the media. Reading books on the subject written in third person are great for gaining an overall, more academic understanding, but Ed Hussain here offers a much greater insight into how and why these groups behave.

Terrorism is a subject on everyone's lips, which is why Hussain's story is so important. Personally however, I believe everone should read this book to eliminate the prejudice that is experienced by so many British Muslims. It is a terrible shame that in the 21st century, it is wrongly assumed by many that those who believe in the same God and dress the same follow the same way of life.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there., 27 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....

Clear, contempory, chilling and compulsive, 09 Sep 2008
Great book. A timely counterpoint and contribution to the whole Islam vs. everyone else debate that characterises much / all of the media coverage of this. However, I found the book to be a fascinating and compelling account of one man's search for religious definition and meaning - something that many people experience regardless of their faith or lack of it. As a result I found the book informative as I learnt about the issues between Islam vs. Wahabism that I knew little about but it was also useful to compare and contrast his experiences and struggles with faith with my own, even though as a CofE person I am somewhat removed from his direct experiences. Would commend this to everyone as a valuable view into contempory issues as well as spiritual journey's

Harrowing read, 16 Nov 2008
a book written by a American,Prodestant and catholic writers,doesnt attempt to gloryfy the troubles like some books ive read do just puts the whole conflict in prospective and lists everyone whole sadly died giving a small paragraph on the events leading to thier deaths.Harrowing ,very sad ,a must read for anyone who wants a unbiased comprehensive look at the Northern Ireland troubles

Should be compulsory., 24 Sep 2008
I came to this book a bit late - in 2007 - after always meaning to look at it but not quite finding the time. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get a copy - like some other reviewers I was surprised at how many victims I knew, or how many people and incidents I'd forgotten. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in Northern Ireland, or conflict in general as the sheer volume of work serves as a fitting memorial for those we shouldn't forget. The petty reviewer who offered one star needs his/her "head examined" in Ulster colloquial-speak.

Totally engrossing, 26 Dec 2007
I received this book as a christmas present, much to my family's amazement. But as they browsed through it after our christmas dinner they were all drawn into it's web.

This book provides an account of each troubles related death, beginning in 1966 then year by year. Each year begins with a brief statement of fact about the state of play in that year and then proceeds to detail each person who lost their life, along with a factual based account of the circumstances.

It cleverly cross references other related entries. Before you know it you are caught up in the web going from an account of the hunger strikes to the shooting of three IRA members in Gibraltar to Michael Stone's attack on an IRA funeral and the subsequent murder of two soldiers at another funeral. And so it goes on.

One line from the introduction of this book summed in up for me it is "an account of what happens when a community decides to resolve its differences through violence".

I am sure there are ommissions, inaccuracies and mistakes but it is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the troubles and who wishes to discover more about the human cost of the conflict.



Not just a book - but a valuable memorial, 03 Dec 2006
I have to say that when I lift this book from it's space on the shelf, I always find it hard to stop reading it and to put it down.

As I read through the chronological order, I can often remember what I was doing at that time, and I can often recollect hearing about the victims, often briefly mentioned in dispassionate news broadcasts, with little time spent putting any of it into context. This is where the book re-dresses that inbalance. With even the smaller paragraph entries, the victim becomes someone - taken too early and before their time.

This is a masterful piece of work that deserves to be applauded. It also deserves to be in every school library in Northern Ireland.


Essential reading, 27 Oct 2006
I haven't finished this. I never will. It is too heart-rending. It lists 3697 victims of the Troubles, including not only those who died as a direct result of violent acts, but also others whose deaths, ostensibly due to natural causes, was obviously related to the violence.

The gut-wrenching thing is the sheer pointlessness of it all. The bloke who worked for the Queen as a royal coachman, out bird-watching one day, killed by the British army in crossfire in a battle with the IRA. The Unionist councillor, blown up in his car, on his way out of a meeting where he had asked fellow councillors to show a mark of respect to a Catholic victim of Loyalists a few days before.

I found I had forgotten so much of this. It's all terrible, all difficult to read. The worst of all are the stories of children like the little girl killed in the Omagh bomb at the age of 20 months, as her mother was buying her shoes for her uncle's wedding where she was to be a flower girl.

Grim though it is, I am really glad that the authors went to the trouble of compiling all this information. Putting everyone in context, all in one book, sorted only by chronological order, is a reminder that whatever the grand historical rights and wrongs, death is death and all who died left loved ones behind them. I wish this kind of survey could be done for other conflicts.

wee man, 12 Aug 2007
Ferris is well liked and respected in scotland (im originally from dumbarton so qualified to say so)This is a good read,although given the material it should be.However where it is let down is Mckays inept and contradictory writing.Read more than one of Mckays books and his stories change.2 examples. In this book blind jonah loses his eye after a drunk throws a glass in a bar and hits him in the face , however in TC Campbells book he loses the same eye in a gang fight.Example 2 the Arthur Thompson ,KRAY twin story goes from being "undoubtedly untrue" in this book , to "this definetely happened"in the Last godfather.Ferris credibility would be better served getting a more skilled co author for his next book.

Yes, well, 15 Dec 2006
The other half of "The Last Godfather" in which the final details of Ferris' life and revealed.

A very interesting read for anyone from Glasgow although is written in two parts which make it seem slightly ameteur at times, not bad enough to loose a star over though.

Another good book Reg, how about you do Tam McGraw now and complete the set?

Five star read, 13 Aug 2006
Just read this book a superb insight into the Glasgow underground , come back to order Vendetta: Turning Your Back on Crime Can Be Deadly...also by Paul Ferris

How the other half live, 25 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I knew that the line between life and death was thin, but after reading this I didn't appreciate just how thin it was. The book doesn't glorify this way of life it treats it matter of factly, which is exactly how people in those positions view it. What was more shocking was the case against the Strathclyde Police, where the ends justify the means and we'll get you off of the streets fair means or foul. The reason that I only gave this un-put downable book 4 stars was the honour amongst thieves bit, we never hurt women or children or anyone who wasn't involved, then goes on to describe how in he slashes a stranger in a pub who accidentily struck him.
Well written and to the point, very well worth the read.

A good insight into the underside of Glasgow, 20 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I know that the line between life and death is very thin. This book highlights just how thin that line is and how people can live like this, better to have lived like this and died young, than never have lived at all. I was shocked to read how corrupt parts of the Strathclyde Police force were, where they believe that the ends justify the means. I always knew they were not squeeky clean but to see how dirty it is/was, was shocking.
The reason I only gave this 4 stars was I respected Ferris's honesty about what he had done and how he had gone about things, the matter of factness about sorting people out was the basis of that honesty. I also got the impression that if you met Ferris in a pub he would be a bit of a laugh, just don't get on the wrong side of him. BUT, the honour amongst villans, where you never did it to non-villans, women or children was a step too far. He admitted slashing someone in a pub who struck him by accident because they were fighting someone else, being a case in point.
Despite that small flaw, it was an excellent read and I couldn't put the book down, read it non stop, cover to cover.

ochmister, 17 Jun 2008
An amazing read, full credit to the author. I thought the Ira were bad, but johnny adair and his crew were worse!
The book goes into great detail on the man and alot of people who were there and supported him. It is amazing that a normal skinhead became a leading figure in a powerful force, the uff.
The book is about his rise and his downfall. But reading this and about him,i am sure he will be back. If you need to know about his history and the uff, get this book.

An interesting read, 24 Nov 2006
An interesting read about a truly despicable individual. Johnny Adair is to some a loyalist icon and to others just a sick man poisoned by the troubles and conveniently clung to the Irish Unionist cause to commit murder. In the end even the Loyalists ran him out of Belfast because he was more interested in lining his pockets than any notions of patriotism.

The difference between Republican icons like Bobby Sands and Adair is stark. Would Adair have starved himself to death for the freedom of his country or was he only 'loyal' to the Unionist Union Jack when his pockets were full with the spoils of his crimes? Even in a normal society the likes of Adair would have been drawn to crime and violence; could the same be said for Bobby Sands and co....

mad dog, 16 Feb 2004
great book about a man that is surely lucky to be alive having taken the fight to the ira and is still alive altough in prison to tell the tail well worth a read to anybody that is intrested in the northern irish problems it shows another side to this conflict not like some of the ira books out there a patriot to the end still waiting to see the fate of mr adair now the peace procell is still working

The myth of Mad Dog exposed, 19 Dec 2003
Johnny Adair deserves notoriety in our society and this book cements this. This distateful individual was responsible for striking terror into the population of Ulster, not just Catholics but towards the end the very people he claimed to be defending. Who are now committed to killing his associates in Bolton! A truly horrific account of purely sectarian and in my opinion inexcusable violence, which in turn raises a number of worrying issues such as security forces collusion, but I don't feel this is the key to the book. I find the analysis of Adair's character and personality far more facinating. An inmature, self-centred and egotistical individual, Adair's rise to power within the Loyalist movement is disturbing given what the reader of "Mad Dog" now knows. And also the fact that both Loyalist and NAtionalist terrorists appeared to turn to organised crime en masse after the Ceasefire, perhaps questioning their motives during The Troubles. Well worth a look.

very detailed biography, 08 Nov 2003
born 1963,this book looks briefly at his early life. in the 80s he joined the largest protestant paramilitary organisation,the ulster defence association(UDA). the UDA 2nd battalion controlled west belfast. divided into A,B and C companies. C company itself was divided into 18 units,C1 up to C18,each consisting of 30 to 60 men. i liked the fact the book described the structure for the first time i've seen. by the late 80s the authorities acted against the UDA and imprisoned much of the leadership . ironically younger UDA men like adair welcomed this as they were seen as too cautious and some were special branch informants. now the the "young turks" had taken over and could increase attacks. between 1990 and 1994,adairs unit killed 40 people. the irish republican army (IRA) hated adair and tried to kill him many times.this led to the botched shankhill bomb attack,which killed 9 innocent protestants.adair had an ongoing feud with the north belfast IRA leader (who is named and his photograph is in the book,as is the overall belfast brigade IRA leader). however in 1994 he was secretly recorded boasting of his activities and jailed. released in 1999,he got into a murderous feud with rival protestant organisation the ulster volunteer force(UVF). jailed again,released may 2002. he made the mistake of trying to take over the whole of the UDA,which has a loose federal structure. more killings,adair jailed again. but after adairs men killed another UDA leader,the whole UDA chased his family and supporters out of ulster to england and scotland.it details the leading personalities in adairs unit and includes their photographs. a good very detailed book.recommended

incredible, amazing book, 30 Jul 2008
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. If one person's story can reach out to others and touch them deeply enough to change their lives, this is such a book.

What an amazing woman!, 16 Oct 2007
Gill's story is one of the most heart wrenching tales to tell. One could go on thinking about all the 'what ifs' of that day, but Gill's strength of spirit & courage to carry on in the face of so much adversity is a true testament to her strong character. The stories & photos of 'life before 7/7' paint such a fascinating picture of a truly extraordinary lady, who so bloody didn't deserve what happened to her! If only there were more people in the world like Gill who could make so much good come out of such a horrific situation.

Inspiration and Courage Without Bounds!, 24 Aug 2007
Somebody recommended that I read this book and they weren't wrong. I read the whole book with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Gill's story is one of tremendous courage and determination. Her vivid language and complete honesty with the reader leaves us in no doubt as to what her and her family and friends experienced in the days, weeks and months after. She is truly an amazing woman, both courageous and inspriational. I can only wish her and her family the very best for the future - she deserves it more than anyone else I know. An amazing book by an amazing woman!

EXTRAORDINARY & SIMPLY AMAZING, 07 Aug 2007
This book will bring tears to your eyes as Gill made her story so vivid to the reader.
What an inspiration and a lesson on how to live for us all. Gill Hicks is an exceptional person and everyone should read this book as it teaches us to cope with life's hardship but moreover, to admire life's most simple and beautiful things.
A great read!

A Truly inspirational book from a very courageous lady., 14 Jun 2007
I have just finished this book - I read it in one day - I never put it down until I had finished it - I couldn't do so. I have never read a book which has moved me so much and I read it through tears. When I read the part where Gill was in the dark with her horrific injuries I felt as if I was actually there with her and living through it with her. Gill, you are a truly wonderful person and I cannot even try and understand what you endured but I am so glad you wrote this book and shared it with us.
All the very best for the future if you are reading this, Gill. If I could have given this book 10 stars even that wouldn't have been enough.

Husain-Dog, yo spack mo speech, 08 Nov 2008
Husain-Dog, yo spack it nice, like tha cream-king yo are. International relations, innit. Yo put it down real fine. Word atter word, it maks good sense what yo linguistify. Know fo' sure, yo message taken to heart Husain-Dog.

Ex Shia, 17 Oct 2008
As an ex Shia I enjoyed many of the arguments that Ed presented in his book and it helped in my journey back towards more orthodox beliefs, namely, those of Ahl Sunnah.

I just regret the years of moving around groups and ideologies and hope that writings like this could have been available sooner.

With Salams

Pertinent exposé written for the culturally aware, 11 Oct 2008
Eye-opening, honest and intense. I read 'The Islamist' back when it was first released, curious yet naive to the true picture of radical Islam in the West. As with any religion, there are followers who have their faith exploited and distorted. 'The Islamist' is a fascinating account of one man's membership to an extreme organisation, as he fell victim to a way of life that terrifies those on the outside.

Although I read this memoir to fuel my interest in current affairs, the main reason I picked it up is because I wanted to grasp the underlying differences between the beliefs of traditional muslims and those of Islamic extremists. It truely opened my eyes to a culture that I had only been exposed to through the media. Reading books on the subject written in third person are great for gaining an overall, more academic understanding, but Ed Hussain here offers a much greater insight into how and why these groups behave.

Terrorism is a subject on everyone's lips, which is why Hussain's story is so important. Personally however, I believe everone should read this book to eliminate the prejudice that is experienced by so many British Muslims. It is a terrible shame that in the 21st century, it is wrongly assumed by many that those who believe in the same God and dress the same follow the same way of life.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there., 27 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....

Clear, contempory, chilling and compulsive, 09 Sep 2008
Great book. A timely counterpoint and contribution to the whole Islam vs. everyone else debate that characterises much / all of the media coverage of this. However, I found the book to be a fascinating and compelling account of one man's search for religious definition and meaning - something that many people experience regardless of their faith or lack of it. As a result I found the book informative as I learnt about the issues between Islam vs. Wahabism that I knew little about but it was also useful to compare and contrast his experiences and struggles with faith with my own, even though as a CofE person I am somewhat removed from his direct experiences. Would commend this to everyone as a valuable view into contempory issues as well as spiritual journey's

Harrowing read, 16 Nov 2008
a book written by a American,Prodestant and catholic writers,doesnt attempt to gloryfy the troubles like some books ive read do just puts the whole conflict in prospective and lists everyone whole sadly died giving a small paragraph on the events leading to thier deaths.Harrowing ,very sad ,a must read for anyone who wants a unbiased comprehensive look at the Northern Ireland troubles

Should be compulsory., 24 Sep 2008
I came to this book a bit late - in 2007 - after always meaning to look at it but not quite finding the time. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get a copy - like some other reviewers I was surprised at how many victims I knew, or how many people and incidents I'd forgotten. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in Northern Ireland, or conflict in general as the sheer volume of work serves as a fitting memorial for those we shouldn't forget. The petty reviewer who offered one star needs his/her "head examined" in Ulster colloquial-speak.

Totally engrossing, 26 Dec 2007
I received this book as a christmas present, much to my family's amazement. But as they browsed through it after our christmas dinner they were all drawn into it's web.

This book provides an account of each troubles related death, beginning in 1966 then year by year. Each year begins with a brief statement of fact about the state of play in that year and then proceeds to detail each person who lost their life, along with a factual based account of the circumstances.

It cleverly cross references other related entries. Before you know it you are caught up in the web going from an account of the hunger strikes to the shooting of three IRA members in Gibraltar to Michael Stone's attack on an IRA funeral and the subsequent murder of two soldiers at another funeral. And so it goes on.

One line from the introduction of this book summed in up for me it is "an account of what happens when a community decides to resolve its differences through violence".

I am sure there are ommissions, inaccuracies and mistakes but it is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the troubles and who wishes to discover more about the human cost of the conflict.



Not just a book - but a valuable memorial, 03 Dec 2006
I have to say that when I lift this book from it's space on the shelf, I always find it hard to stop reading it and to put it down.

As I read through the chronological order, I can often remember what I was doing at that time, and I can often recollect hearing about the victims, often briefly mentioned in dispassionate news broadcasts, with little time spent putting any of it into context. This is where the book re-dresses that inbalance. With even the smaller paragraph entries, the victim becomes someone - taken too early and before their time.

This is a masterful piece of work that deserves to be applauded. It also deserves to be in every school library in Northern Ireland.


Essential reading, 27 Oct 2006
I haven't finished this. I never will. It is too heart-rending. It lists 3697 victims of the Troubles, including not only those who died as a direct result of violent acts, but also others whose deaths, ostensibly due to natural causes, was obviously related to the violence.

The gut-wrenching thing is the sheer pointlessness of it all. The bloke who worked for the Queen as a royal coachman, out bird-watching one day, killed by the British army in crossfire in a battle with the IRA. The Unionist councillor, blown up in his car, on his way out of a meeting where he had asked fellow councillors to show a mark of respect to a Catholic victim of Loyalists a few days before.

I found I had forgotten so much of this. It's all terrible, all difficult to read. The worst of all are the stories of children like the little girl killed in the Omagh bomb at the age of 20 months, as her mother was buying her shoes for her uncle's wedding where she was to be a flower girl.

Grim though it is, I am really glad that the authors went to the trouble of compiling all this information. Putting everyone in context, all in one book, sorted only by chronological order, is a reminder that whatever the grand historical rights and wrongs, death is death and all who died left loved ones behind them. I wish this kind of survey could be done for other conflicts.

wee man, 12 Aug 2007
Ferris is well liked and respected in scotland (im originally from dumbarton so qualified to say so)This is a good read,although given the material it should be.However where it is let down is Mckays inept and contradictory writing.Read more than one of Mckays books and his stories change.2 examples. In this book blind jonah loses his eye after a drunk throws a glass in a bar and hits him in the face , however in TC Campbells book he loses the same eye in a gang fight.Example 2 the Arthur Thompson ,KRAY twin story goes from being "undoubtedly untrue" in this book , to "this definetely happened"in the Last godfather.Ferris credibility would be better served getting a more skilled co author for his next book.

Yes, well, 15 Dec 2006
The other half of "The Last Godfather" in which the final details of Ferris' life and revealed.

A very interesting read for anyone from Glasgow although is written in two parts which make it seem slightly ameteur at times, not bad enough to loose a star over though.

Another good book Reg, how about you do Tam McGraw now and complete the set?

Five star read, 13 Aug 2006
Just read this book a superb insight into the Glasgow underground , come back to order Vendetta: Turning Your Back on Crime Can Be Deadly...also by Paul Ferris

How the other half live, 25 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I knew that the line between life and death was thin, but after reading this I didn't appreciate just how thin it was. The book doesn't glorify this way of life it treats it matter of factly, which is exactly how people in those positions view it. What was more shocking was the case against the Strathclyde Police, where the ends justify the means and we'll get you off of the streets fair means or foul. The reason that I only gave this un-put downable book 4 stars was the honour amongst thieves bit, we never hurt women or children or anyone who wasn't involved, then goes on to describe how in he slashes a stranger in a pub who accidentily struck him.
Well written and to the point, very well worth the read.

A good insight into the underside of Glasgow, 20 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I know that the line between life and death is very thin. This book highlights just how thin that line is and how people can live like this, better to have lived like this and died young, than never have lived at all. I was shocked to read how corrupt parts of the Strathclyde Police force were, where they believe that the ends justify the means. I always knew they were not squeeky clean but to see how dirty it is/was, was shocking.
The reason I only gave this 4 stars was I respected Ferris's honesty about what he had done and how he had gone about things, the matter of factness about sorting people out was the basis of that honesty. I also got the impression that if you met Ferris in a pub he would be a bit of a laugh, just don't get on the wrong side of him. BUT, the honour amongst villans, where you never did it to non-villans, women or children was a step too far. He admitted slashing someone in a pub who struck him by accident because they were fighting someone else, being a case in point.
Despite that small flaw, it was an excellent read and I couldn't put the book down, read it non stop, cover to cover.

ochmister, 17 Jun 2008
An amazing read, full credit to the author. I thought the Ira were bad, but johnny adair and his crew were worse!
The book goes into great detail on the man and alot of people who were there and supported him. It is amazing that a normal skinhead became a leading figure in a powerful force, the uff.
The book is about his rise and his downfall. But reading this and about him,i am sure he will be back. If you need to know about his history and the uff, get this book.

An interesting read, 24 Nov 2006
An interesting read about a truly despicable individual. Johnny Adair is to some a loyalist icon and to others just a sick man poisoned by the troubles and conveniently clung to the Irish Unionist cause to commit murder. In the end even the Loyalists ran him out of Belfast because he was more interested in lining his pockets than any notions of patriotism.

The difference between Republican icons like Bobby Sands and Adair is stark. Would Adair have starved himself to death for the freedom of his country or was he only 'loyal' to the Unionist Union Jack when his pockets were full with the spoils of his crimes? Even in a normal society the likes of Adair would have been drawn to crime and violence; could the same be said for Bobby Sands and co....

mad dog, 16 Feb 2004
great book about a man that is surely lucky to be alive having taken the fight to the ira and is still alive altough in prison to tell the tail well worth a read to anybody that is intrested in the northern irish problems it shows another side to this conflict not like some of the ira books out there a patriot to the end still waiting to see the fate of mr adair now the peace procell is still working

The myth of Mad Dog exposed, 19 Dec 2003
Johnny Adair deserves notoriety in our society and this book cements this. This distateful individual was responsible for striking terror into the population of Ulster, not just Catholics but towards the end the very people he claimed to be defending. Who are now committed to killing his associates in Bolton! A truly horrific account of purely sectarian and in my opinion inexcusable violence, which in turn raises a number of worrying issues such as security forces collusion, but I don't feel this is the key to the book. I find the analysis of Adair's character and personality far more facinating. An inmature, self-centred and egotistical individual, Adair's rise to power within the Loyalist movement is disturbing given what the reader of "Mad Dog" now knows. And also the fact that both Loyalist and NAtionalist terrorists appeared to turn to organised crime en masse after the Ceasefire, perhaps questioning their motives during The Troubles. Well worth a look.

very detailed biography, 08 Nov 2003
born 1963,this book looks briefly at his early life. in the 80s he joined the largest protestant paramilitary organisation,the ulster defence association(UDA). the UDA 2nd battalion controlled west belfast. divided into A,B and C companies. C company itself was divided into 18 units,C1 up to C18,each consisting of 30 to 60 men. i liked the fact the book described the structure for the first time i've seen. by the late 80s the authorities acted against the UDA and imprisoned much of the leadership . ironically younger UDA men like adair welcomed this as they were seen as too cautious and some were special branch informants. now the the "young turks" had taken over and could increase attacks. between 1990 and 1994,adairs unit killed 40 people. the irish republican army (IRA) hated adair and tried to kill him many times.this led to the botched shankhill bomb attack,which killed 9 innocent protestants.adair had an ongoing feud with the north belfast IRA leader (who is named and his photograph is in the book,as is the overall belfast brigade IRA leader). however in 1994 he was secretly recorded boasting of his activities and jailed. released in 1999,he got into a murderous feud with rival protestant organisation the ulster volunteer force(UVF). jailed again,released may 2002. he made the mistake of trying to take over the whole of the UDA,which has a loose federal structure. more killings,adair jailed again. but after adairs men killed another UDA leader,the whole UDA chased his family and supporters out of ulster to england and scotland.it details the leading personalities in adairs unit and includes their photographs. a good very detailed book.recommended

incredible, amazing book, 30 Jul 2008
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. If one person's story can reach out to others and touch them deeply enough to change their lives, this is such a book.

What an amazing woman!, 16 Oct 2007
Gill's story is one of the most heart wrenching tales to tell. One could go on thinking about all the 'what ifs' of that day, but Gill's strength of spirit & courage to carry on in the face of so much adversity is a true testament to her strong character. The stories & photos of 'life before 7/7' paint such a fascinating picture of a truly extraordinary lady, who so bloody didn't deserve what happened to her! If only there were more people in the world like Gill who could make so much good come out of such a horrific situation.

Inspiration and Courage Without Bounds!, 24 Aug 2007
Somebody recommended that I read this book and they weren't wrong. I read the whole book with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Gill's story is one of tremendous courage and determination. Her vivid language and complete honesty with the reader leaves us in no doubt as to what her and her family and friends experienced in the days, weeks and months after. She is truly an amazing woman, both courageous and inspriational. I can only wish her and her family the very best for the future - she deserves it more than anyone else I know. An amazing book by an amazing woman!

EXTRAORDINARY & SIMPLY AMAZING, 07 Aug 2007
This book will bring tears to your eyes as Gill made her story so vivid to the reader.
What an inspiration and a lesson on how to live for us all. Gill Hicks is an exceptional person and everyone should read this book as it teaches us to cope with life's hardship but moreover, to admire life's most simple and beautiful things.
A great read!

A Truly inspirational book from a very courageous lady., 14 Jun 2007
I have just finished this book - I read it in one day - I never put it down until I had finished it - I couldn't do so. I have never read a book which has moved me so much and I read it through tears. When I read the part where Gill was in the dark with her horrific injuries I felt as if I was actually there with her and living through it with her. Gill, you are a truly wonderful person and I cannot even try and understand what you endured but I am so glad you wrote this book and shared it with us.
All the very best for the future if you are reading this, Gill. If I could have given this book 10 stars even that wouldn't have been enough.

JUST 2 DAYS, 16 Feb 2008

VERY GOOD BOOK ABOUT THE LIFESTYLE OF LIVING ON THE EDGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

I FLEW THROUGH THIS BOOK IN 2 DAYS

VERY EASY TO READ

Husain-Dog, yo spack mo speech, 08 Nov 2008
Husain-Dog, yo spack it nice, like tha cream-king yo are. International relations, innit. Yo put it down real fine. Word atter word, it maks good sense what yo linguistify. Know fo' sure, yo message taken to heart Husain-Dog.

Ex Shia, 17 Oct 2008
As an ex Shia I enjoyed many of the arguments that Ed presented in his book and it helped in my journey back towards more orthodox beliefs, namely, those of Ahl Sunnah.

I just regret the years of moving around groups and ideologies and hope that writings like this could have been available sooner.

With Salams

Pertinent exposé written for the culturally aware, 11 Oct 2008
Eye-opening, honest and intense. I read 'The Islamist' back when it was first released, curious yet naive to the true picture of radical Islam in the West. As with any religion, there are followers who have their faith exploited and distorted. 'The Islamist' is a fascinating account of one man's membership to an extreme organisation, as he fell victim to a way of life that terrifies those on the outside.

Although I read this memoir to fuel my interest in current affairs, the main reason I picked it up is because I wanted to grasp the underlying differences between the beliefs of traditional muslims and those of Islamic extremists. It truely opened my eyes to a culture that I had only been exposed to through the media. Reading books on the subject written in third person are great for gaining an overall, more academic understanding, but Ed Hussain here offers a much greater insight into how and why these groups behave.

Terrorism is a subject on everyone's lips, which is why Hussain's story is so important. Personally however, I believe everone should read this book to eliminate the prejudice that is experienced by so many British Muslims. It is a terrible shame that in the 21st century, it is wrongly assumed by many that those who believe in the same God and dress the same follow the same way of life.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there., 27 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....

Clear, contempory, chilling and compulsive, 09 Sep 2008
Great book. A timely counterpoint and contribution to the whole Islam vs. everyone else debate that characterises much / all of the media coverage of this. However, I found the book to be a fascinating and compelling account of one man's search for religious definition and meaning - something that many people experience regardless of their faith or lack of it. As a result I found the book informative as I learnt about the issues between Islam vs. Wahabism that I knew little about but it was also useful to compare and contrast his experiences and struggles with faith with my own, even though as a CofE person I am somewhat removed from his direct experiences. Would commend this to everyone as a valuable view into contempory issues as well as spiritual journey's

Harrowing read, 16 Nov 2008
a book written by a American,Prodestant and catholic writers,doesnt attempt to gloryfy the troubles like some books ive read do just puts the whole conflict in prospective and lists everyone whole sadly died giving a small paragraph on the events leading to thier deaths.Harrowing ,very sad ,a must read for anyone who wants a unbiased comprehensive look at the Northern Ireland troubles

Should be compulsory., 24 Sep 2008
I came to this book a bit late - in 2007 - after always meaning to look at it but not quite finding the time. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get a copy - like some other reviewers I was surprised at how many victims I knew, or how many people and incidents I'd forgotten. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in Northern Ireland, or conflict in general as the sheer volume of work serves as a fitting memorial for those we shouldn't forget. The petty reviewer who offered one star needs his/her "head examined" in Ulster colloquial-speak.

Totally engrossing, 26 Dec 2007
I received this book as a christmas present, much to my family's amazement. But as they browsed through it after our christmas dinner they were all drawn into it's web.

This book provides an account of each troubles related death, beginning in 1966 then year by year. Each year begins with a brief statement of fact about the state of play in that year and then proceeds to detail each person who lost their life, along with a factual based account of the circumstances.

It cleverly cross references other related entries. Before you know it you are caught up in the web going from an account of the hunger strikes to the shooting of three IRA members in Gibraltar to Michael Stone's attack on an IRA funeral and the subsequent murder of two soldiers at another funeral. And so it goes on.

One line from the introduction of this book summed in up for me it is "an account of what happens when a community decides to resolve its differences through violence".

I am sure there are ommissions, inaccuracies and mistakes but it is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the troubles and who wishes to discover more about the human cost of the conflict.



Not just a book - but a valuable memorial, 03 Dec 2006
I have to say that when I lift this book from it's space on the shelf, I always find it hard to stop reading it and to put it down.

As I read through the chronological order, I can often remember what I was doing at that time, and I can often recollect hearing about the victims, often briefly mentioned in dispassionate news broadcasts, with little time spent putting any of it into context. This is where the book re-dresses that inbalance. With even the smaller paragraph entries, the victim becomes someone - taken too early and before their time.

This is a masterful piece of work that deserves to be applauded. It also deserves to be in every school library in Northern Ireland.


Essential reading, 27 Oct 2006
I haven't finished this. I never will. It is too heart-rending. It lists 3697 victims of the Troubles, including not only those who died as a direct result of violent acts, but also others whose deaths, ostensibly due to natural causes, was obviously related to the violence.

The gut-wrenching thing is the sheer pointlessness of it all. The bloke who worked for the Queen as a royal coachman, out bird-watching one day, killed by the British army in crossfire in a battle with the IRA. The Unionist councillor, blown up in his car, on his way out of a meeting where he had asked fellow councillors to show a mark of respect to a Catholic victim of Loyalists a few days before.

I found I had forgotten so much of this. It's all terrible, all difficult to read. The worst of all are the stories of children like the little girl killed in the Omagh bomb at the age of 20 months, as her mother was buying her shoes for her uncle's wedding where she was to be a flower girl.

Grim though it is, I am really glad that the authors went to the trouble of compiling all this information. Putting everyone in context, all in one book, sorted only by chronological order, is a reminder that whatever the grand historical rights and wrongs, death is death and all who died left loved ones behind them. I wish this kind of survey could be done for other conflicts.

wee man, 12 Aug 2007
Ferris is well liked and respected in scotland (im originally from dumbarton so qualified to say so)This is a good read,although given the material it should be.However where it is let down is Mckays inept and contradictory writing.Read more than one of Mckays books and his stories change.2 examples. In this book blind jonah loses his eye after a drunk throws a glass in a bar and hits him in the face , however in TC Campbells book he loses the same eye in a gang fight.Example 2 the Arthur Thompson ,KRAY twin story goes from being "undoubtedly untrue" in this book , to "this definetely happened"in the Last godfather.Ferris credibility would be better served getting a more skilled co author for his next book.

Yes, well, 15 Dec 2006
The other half of "The Last Godfather" in which the final details of Ferris' life and revealed.

A very interesting read for anyone from Glasgow although is written in two parts which make it seem slightly ameteur at times, not bad enough to loose a star over though.

Another good book Reg, how about you do Tam McGraw now and complete the set?

Five star read, 13 Aug 2006
Just read this book a superb insight into the Glasgow underground , come back to order Vendetta: Turning Your Back on Crime Can Be Deadly...also by Paul Ferris

How the other half live, 25 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I knew that the line between life and death was thin, but after reading this I didn't appreciate just how thin it was. The book doesn't glorify this way of life it treats it matter of factly, which is exactly how people in those positions view it. What was more shocking was the case against the Strathclyde Police, where the ends justify the means and we'll get you off of the streets fair means or foul. The reason that I only gave this un-put downable book 4 stars was the honour amongst thieves bit, we never hurt women or children or anyone who wasn't involved, then goes on to describe how in he slashes a stranger in a pub who accidentily struck him.
Well written and to the point, very well worth the read.

A good insight into the underside of Glasgow, 20 Jan 2006
Coming from Glasgow I know that the line between life and death is very thin. This book highlights just how thin that line is and how people can live like this, better to have lived like this and died young, than never have lived at all. I was shocked to read how corrupt parts of the Strathclyde Police force were, where they believe that the ends justify the means. I always knew they were not squeeky clean but to see how dirty it is/was, was shocking.
The reason I only gave this 4 stars was I respected Ferris's honesty about what he had done and how he had gone about things, the matter of factness about sorting people out was the basis of that honesty. I also got the impression that if you met Ferris in a pub he would be a bit of a laugh, just don't get on the wrong side of him. BUT, the honour amongst villans, where you never did it to non-villans, women or children was a step too far. He admitted slashing someone in a pub who struck him by accident because they were fighting someone else, being a case in point.
Despite that small flaw, it was an excellent read and I couldn't put the book down, read it non stop, cover to cover.

ochmister, 17 Jun 2008
An amazing read, full credit to the author. I thought the Ira were bad, but johnny adair and his crew were worse!
The book goes into great detail on the man and alot of people who were there and supported him. It is amazing that a normal skinhead became a leading figure in a powerful force, the uff.
The book is about his rise and his downfall. But reading this and about him,i am sure he will be back. If you need to know about his history and the uff, get this book.

An interesting read, 24 Nov 2006
An interesting read about a truly despicable individual. Johnny Adair is to some a loyalist icon and to others just a sick man poisoned by the troubles and conveniently clung to the Irish Unionist cause to commit murder. In the end even the Loyalists ran him out of Belfast because he was more interested in lining his pockets than any notions of patriotism.

The difference between Republican icons like Bobby Sands and Adair is stark. Would Adair have starved himself to death for the freedom of his country or was he only 'loyal' to the Unionist Union Jack when his pockets were full with the spoils of his crimes? Even in a normal society the likes of Adair would have been drawn to crime and violence; could the same be said for Bobby Sands and co....

mad dog, 16 Feb 2004
great book about a man that is surely lucky to be alive having taken the fight to the ira and is still alive altough in prison to tell the tail well worth a read to anybody that is intrested in the northern irish problems it shows another side to this conflict not like some of the ira books out there a patriot to the end still waiting to see the fate of mr adair now the peace procell is still working

The myth of Mad Dog exposed, 19 Dec 2003
Johnny Adair deserves notoriety in our society and this book cements this. This distateful individual was responsible for striking terror into the population of Ulster, not just Catholics but towards the end the very people he claimed to be defending. Who are now committed to killing his associates in Bolton! A truly horrific account of purely sectarian and in my opinion inexcusable violence, which in turn raises a number of worrying issues such as security forces collusion, but I don't feel this is the key to the book. I find the analysis of Adair's character and personality far more facinating. An inmature, self-centred and egotistical individual, Adair's rise to power within the Loyalist movement is disturbing given what the reader of "Mad Dog" now knows. And also the fact that both Loyalist and NAtionalist terrorists appeared to turn to organised crime en masse after the Ceasefire, perhaps questioning their motives during The Troubles. Well worth a look.

very detailed biography, 08 Nov 2003
born 1963,this book looks briefly at his early life. in the 80s he joined the largest protestant paramilitary organisation,the ulster defence association(UDA). the UDA 2nd battalion controlled west belfast. divided into A,B and C companies. C company itself was divided into 18 units,C1 up to C18,each consisting of 30 to 60 men. i liked the fact the book described the structure for the first time i've seen. by the late 80s the authorities acted against the UDA and imprisoned much of the leadership . ironically younger UDA men like adair welcomed this as they were seen as too cautious and some were special branch informants. now the the "young turks" had taken over and could increase attacks. between 1990 and 1994,adairs unit killed 40 people. the irish republican army (IRA) hated adair and tried to kill him many times.this led to the botched shankhill bomb attack,which killed 9 innocent protestants.adair had an ongoing feud with the north belfast IRA leader (who is named and his photograph is in the book,as is the overall belfast brigade IRA leader). however in 1994 he was secretly recorded boasting of his activities and jailed. released in 1999,he got into a murderous feud with rival protestant organisation the ulster volunteer force(UVF). jailed again,released may 2002. he made the mistake of trying to take over the whole of the UDA,which has a loose federal structure. more killings,adair jailed again. but after adairs men killed another UDA leader,the whole UDA chased his family and supporters out of ulster to england and scotland.it details the leading personalities in adairs unit and includes their photographs. a good very detailed book.recommended

incredible, amazing book, 30 Jul 2008
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. If one person's story can reach out to others and touch them deeply enough to change their lives, this is such a book.

What an amazing woman!, 16 Oct 2007
Gill's story is one of the most heart wrenching tales to tell. One could go on thinking about all the 'what ifs' of that day, but Gill's strength of spirit & courage to carry on in the face of so much adversity is a true testament to her strong character. The stories & photos of 'life before 7/7' paint such a fascinating picture of a truly extraordinary lady, who so bloody didn't deserve what happened to her! If only there were more people in the world like Gill who could make so much good come out of such a horrific situation.

Inspiration and Courage Without Bounds!, 24 Aug 2007
Somebody recommended that I read this book and they weren't wrong. I read the whole book with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Gill's story is one of tremendous courage and determination. Her vivid language and complete honesty with the reader leaves us in no doubt as to what her and her family and friends experienced in the days, weeks and months after. She is truly an amazing woman, both courageous and inspriational. I can only wish her and her family the very best for the future - she deserves it more than anyone else I know. An amazing book by an amazing woman!

EXTRAORDINARY & SIMPLY AMAZING, 07 Aug 2007
This book will bring tears to your eyes as Gill made her story so vivid to the reader.
What an inspiration and a lesson on how to live for us all. Gill Hicks is an exceptional person and everyone should read this book as it teaches us to cope with life's hardship but