The longest war : Northern Ireland's troubled history

"The Troubles" in Northern Ireland have proved one of the most intractable conflicts in Europe since World War II, consistently attracting international attention, particularly from the United States.

This exploration of the central issues and debates about Northern Ireland sets them in the historical context of hundreds of years of conflict.

It tackles many questions, such as: What accounts for the perpetuation of ethnic and religious conflict in Ireland?

Why has armed violence proven so hard to control? Who are the major figures and issues in the conflict?

Can we expect more "Northern Irelands" in the future?