A people under siege : the unionists of Northern Ireland, from partition to Brexit and beyond / Aaron Edwards.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Edwards, Aaron, author.

Contributor:

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Unionism (Irish politics)--History--20th century.

Unionism (Irish politics).

Unionism (Irish politics)--History--21st century.

Northern Ireland--Politics and government.

Northern Ireland.

Diplomatic relations.

Politics and government.

Protestants--Attitudes.

Religion and politics.

Great Britain.

Ireland.

Genre:

History

Physical Description:

xix, 332 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland : Merrion Press, 2023.

Summary:

"Since the Brexit referendum of 2016, extraordinary uncertainty has hung over the future of the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, creating a crisis for the unionist community. A referendum that began on the question of sovereignty quickly degenerated into cries of betrayal over a redrawn border in the Irish Sea, and has led to unionists becoming more insular again, resurrecting ethnic and nationalist notions of what constitutes the Union. In A People Under Siege, historian Aaron Edwards, a native of Belfast, explores the profound challenges facing the community and, in the process, articulates what is really meant by unionism. He explains key developments within unionism over the past turbulent century and examines how a people who believe themselves to be once again under siege are viewed by others beyond their community. In doing so he confronts the narrow, sectional beliefs and prejudices of unionists and loyalists, as well as outlining their more positive and forward-thinking aspects. By embracing these, Edwards explains how divisions could be healed and a position reached of mutual acceptance, tolerance and understanding that will benefit the entire population." -- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

A state born in violence

The people of independent thought

Masters of our own house

Whipping up the new recruits

Responsible members of the community

An Ulster divided against itself

A regime under fire

A very loyalist coup

Prisoners of the IRA's strategy

The Duisburg formula

An image problem

Lifting the siege

Ulster's answer to leaderless resistance

The changing of the guard

A people under siege (again)

Toppling the new tower of Babel

Circling the wagons

Political unionism and the greater good

Epilogue: Everyday patriotism.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 309-320) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

ISBN:

1785372998

9781785372995

OCLC:

1360287193

Publisher Number:

99996383883