Chronicles of an ill-fated pilgrimage: Irish Political Prisoners’ quest for a desolate shrine Routledge publishes a magisterial piece of research on political imprisonment in Ireland and unveils the key role political prisoners played in shaping the modern Irish state. The second part of a trilogy, Seán McConville’s long-awaited Irish Political Prisoners, 1920-1962 (Routledge, 21st November 2013) simply cannot pass unnoticed. Based on years of research, and drawing on a vast range of archival material as well as a number of interviews with survivors, the book unveils the complex and intricate history of the Irish political prisoners from the formation of the Northern Ireland state to the release of the last Border Campaign prisoners in 1962. It shows how punishment came to embody and shape the consciousness of a nation. McConville masterly weaves human stories and key historical events into political and legal analysis in the text. In showing that the imprisonment of violent political offenders actually helped consolidate their cause, turning them into heroes and martyrs in the eyes of those well beyond the circles of activists, he shows us a lesson that is universally applicable to all political prisoners. With a roll-call to rival the Roman Senate, the author summons major political characters like Michael Collins and James Craig to Eamon de Valera, Seán MacBride, Moss Twomey and other leaders of the IRA ; he also doesn’t forget to make room for an intriguing cast of prisoners and staff, as well as those who recoiled against all authority, such as the youthful Brendan Behan and, in doing so, McConville reminds us that at the core of any historical investigation always and indisputably lies the human element. "Sean McConville graphically recounts both sides of this story - and does so with an even- handedness and objectivity that must command the respect of all his readers, whatever side of the Irish Sea they may be on." - Dr Garret FitzGerald, The Guardian Visit the book website here: http://www.routledge.com/u/irishpoliticalprisoners2/ 978-0-415-35096-9 | $240.00 in hardback | November 2013 Available for interviews and media features – contact Harriet Connor for a review copy (details below). – ENDS – NOTES TO EDITORS For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Harriet Connor, Partnership Marketing Assistant, Routledge Humanities Tel: +44 (0)207 011 9921 | Email: [email protected] ----------------------------------------- About Taylor & Francis Group ----------------------------------------- Taylor & Francis Group partners with researchers, scholarly societies, universities and libraries worldwide to bring knowledge to life. As one of the world’s leading publishers of scholarly journals, books, ebooks and reference works our content spans all areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Science, and Technology and Medicine. From our network of offices in Oxford, New York, Philadelphia, Boca Raton, Boston, Melbourne, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, Stockholm, New Delhi and Johannesburg, Taylor & Francis staff provide local expertise and support to our editors, societies and authors and tailored, efficient customer service to our library colleagues..