'Frank and incisive - an insightful look at the most tumultuous period of the Troubles.' Ian Cobain
'This is the Belfast I grew up in. Malachi writes from first-hand experience and brings back memories that will always resonate with those who lived in those times.' Eamonn Holmes
In the eleven months between August 1971 and July 1972, Northern Ireland experienced its worst year of violence. No future year of the Troubles experienced such death and destruction.
The 'year of chaos' began with the introduction of internment of IRA suspects without trial, which created huge disaffection in the Catholic communities and provoked an escalation of violence. This led to the British government taking full control of Northern Ireland and negotiating directly with the IRA leadership. Operation Motorman, the invasion of barricaded no-go areas in Belfast and Derry, then dampened down the violence a year later.
During this whole period, Malachi O'Doherty was a young reporter in Belfast, working in the city and returning home at night to a no-go area behind the barricades where the streets were patrolled by armed IRA men.
Drawing on interviews, personal recollections and archival research, O'Doherty takes readers on a journey through the events of that terrible year - from the devastation of Bloody Sunday and Bloody Friday to the talks between leaders that failed to break the deadlock - which, he argues, should serve as a stark reminder of how political and military miscalculation can lead a country to the brink of civil war.
A gripping account of Northern Ireland's descent into chaos during its bloodiest year.
In 1971-72, Northern Ireland teetered on the brink of civil war. Malachi O'Doherty, a cub reporter in Belfast, witnessed firsthand the escalating violence, the political miscalculations, and the human cost of the Troubles. This is his story.
The Year of Chaos plunges readers into the heart of the conflict, exploring the key events that defined this tumultuous period: internment, Bloody Sunday, and Operation Motorman. O'Doherty blends historical analysis with personal memoir, offering a unique perspective on the lives of ordinary people caught in the crossfire. Discover the roots of the conflict and the lessons learned from a year that changed Northern Ireland forever. Perfect for readers of Irish history and political science.
