The Bloodiest Year 1972 by Ken Wharton
Ken Wharton's latest book on the Northern Ireland Troubles is, as always, written from the perspective of the British soldier. Here he chronicles the worst year of The Troubles - 1972 - a year in which 172 soldiers died as a direct consequence of the insanity that would grip Ulster for almost 30 years. His empathy lies firstly with the men who tramped the streets and countryside of Northern Ireland - but also with the good folk of the six counties who never wanted their beautiful land to be the terrorists' battleground. Ken Wharton is utterly condemnatory of the Provisional IRA and INLA but he certainly pulls no punches in his assessment of the Loyalist paramilitaries and terror gangs who sought to outdo the barbarism of their republican counterparts. Based on the testimony of the men who were there during that terrible year, the author tries to investigate every loss in as much detail as time and space permit, with longer chapters to describe 'Bloody Friday' the appalling tragedy of Claudy and - with the 12-year public inquiry finally over - the terrible events of 'Bloody Sunday'. "The Bloodiest Year" is written with passion and a detailed knowledge in particular of Belfast and the experience of the ordinary squaddie on the streets. The Troubles have become Britain's forgotten war and so long as he is able, Ken will do his best to keep the memory of Operation Banner alive. . `This is good honest history. Soldiers and civilians alike owe the author a debt of gratitude for telling it like it was.' Patrick Bishop, best-selling author of 3 Para.
Ken Wharton is a former soldier who served five years in an infantry unit, including two tours of Northern Ireland during the Troubles. He is the author of A Long Long War: Voices From the British Army in Northern Ireland 1969-98 and Bloody Belfast: An Oral History of the British Army's War Against the IRA.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780752459066 |
| ISBN 10 | 0752459066 |
| Title | The Bloodiest Year 1972 |
| Author | Ken Wharton |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | The History Press Ltd |
| Year published | 2011-05-01 |
| Number of pages | 256 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |