“The Twelve Apostles: Michael Collins, the Squad, and Ireland’s Fight for Freedom” by Tim Pat Coogan [BOOK REVIEW]
“The Twelve Apostles” by Tim Pat Coogan is an historical account about the story of Michael Collins and the Irish Republican Army’s Squad during Ireland’s fight for independence. Coogan’s research and storytelling bring to life the turbulent era and the key figures who played crucial roles in the quest for freedom.
About the Author:
Tim Pat Coogan was born on 22 April 1935 in County Dublin, Ireland. He is an Irish historian, journalist, and author. Coogan is known for his extensive research and writing on Irish history, particularly the struggle for independence. His works often challenge conventional narratives and shed light on lesser-known aspects of Irish history. Some of his other notable books include “Michael Collins: A Biography,” “The IRA,” and “The Troubles: Ireland’s Ordeal 1966-1996.”
“The Twelve Apostles” Book Summary:
“The Twelve Apostles” is a captivating historical book that sheds light on the events surrounding Ireland’s struggle for independence, focusing on the remarkable figure of Michael Collins and the Irish Republican Army’s Squad. Tim Pat Coogan, a renowned Irish historian and author, presents a thorough and engaging narrative that unveils the complexities of the fight for freedom.
Coogan’s research takes readers back to early 20th-century Ireland, exploring the political, social, and cultural factors that fueled the desire for independence. He delves into the formation of the Squad, an elite unit within the IRA tasked with carrying out covert operations against British forces and intelligence agents.
“Ireland’s best-known historical writer.”
The Irish Times
Through meticulous detail and firsthand accounts, Coogan paints a vivid picture of the Squad’s activities and the daring individuals who comprised it. Led by the charismatic and influential Michael Collins, the Squad operated in the shadows, targeting British intelligence agents and informers, instilling fear in their ranks.
“The Twelve Apostles” goes beyond the actions of the Squad, delving into the complex relationships and power dynamics within the IRA and the wider struggle for independence. Coogan explores the tensions between different factions, the role of Collins as a strategist and negotiator, and the challenges faced by the Irish revolutionaries in balancing military operations with political aspirations.
“The unofficial voice of modern Irish history.”
The Economist
The book also delves into the broader historical context, including the impact of the Easter Rising of 1916 and the subsequent guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the IRA. Coogan provides insights into the negotiations that led to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 and its aftermath, which ultimately resulted in the partition of Ireland.
Coogan’s narrative is both informative and engaging, offering readers a deeper understanding of the individuals, events, and ideologies that shaped Ireland’s fight for freedom. He humanizes the key figures, including Collins and his comrades, allowing readers to connect with the personal sacrifices and motivations that drove them in their pursuit of independence.
“A worthy contribution to the historical literature of the period.”
Irish Central
In conclusion, “The Twelve Apostles: Michael Collins, the Squad, and Ireland’s Fight for Freedom” by Tim Pat Coogan offers a compelling and insightful account of the Irish War of Independence and the role played by Michael Collins and his team. Coogan’s meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for those interested in understanding the complexities of Ireland’s struggle for independence. The main takeaways from the book include the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare and intelligence operations, the leadership and strategic thinking of Michael Collins, and the sacrifices made by those involved in the fight for freedom. “The Twelve Apostles” has received high praise from both readers and prominent figures, solidifying its place as a definitive work on the subject. For those looking to delve deeper into the topic, books such as “Michael Collins: A Biography” and “The Irish War of Independence” offer further insights, while works like “The British Campaign in Ireland, 1919-1921” provide alternative perspectives. Overall, “The Twelve Apostles” is a captivating and illuminating book that sheds light on a crucial period in Irish history.
Related Books:
- “Michael Collins: A Biography” by Tim Pat Coogan
- “The Irish War of Independence” by Michael Hopkinson
- “The Squad: And the Intelligence Operations of Michael Collins” by T.Ryle Dwyer
- “The British Campaign in Ireland, 1919-1921: The Development of Political and Military Policies” by Charles Townshend
- “The Black and Tans: British Police and Auxiliaries in the Irish War of Independence, 1920-1921” by David Leeson
- “The Anglo-Irish War: The Troubles of 1913-1922” by Peter Cottrell
“The Twelve Apostles: Michael Collins, the Squad, and Ireland’s Fight for Freedom” by Tim Pat Coogan [BOOK DETAILS]
FROM AMAZON: Ireland, 1919: When Sinn Féin proclaims Dáil Éireann the parliament of the independent Irish republic, London declares the new assembly to be illegal, and a vicious guerrilla war breaks out between republican and crown forces. Michael Collins, intelligence chief of the Irish Republican Army, creates an elite squad whose role is to assassinate British agents and undercover police.
The so-called ‘Twelve Apostles’ will create violent mayhem, culminating in the events of ‘Bloody Sunday’ in November 1920.
Bestselling historian Tim Pat Coogan not only tells the story of Collins’ squad, he also examines the remarkable intelligence network of which it formed a part, and which helped to bring the British government to the negotiating table.
“It is my contention that Michael Collins was one of the most extraordinary men ever to have been born in Ireland. Collins’s remarkable qualities – as a man, a citizen, a commander and strategist – shine through the years; and to me, they gleam all the more brightly in this centenary year of the 1916 Rising. Almost thirty years ago, I wrote my biography of Collins – and he stands at the heart of this book too, because now I want to examine in detail one of his most extraordinary, and certainly most controversial, creations. This was the Squad, or the Twelve Apostles: the names given to a small undercover unit controlled by Collins which operated in Ireland during the final era of British rule from Dublin Castle.”
My Goodreads Review:
The Twelve Apostles: Michael Collins, the Squad, and Ireland’s Fight for Freedom by Tim Pat CooganMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Interesting read about how terrorism was used to gain independence. I have read somewhere that this was the same model employed by the Allies over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II.
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