Clearly and accessibly written and based on original research, Paul Dixon's book provides a lively introduction to the nature and politics of the Northern Ireland conflict and of successive attempts to resolve it. The comprehensively revised second edition has been updated to take account of new information throughout and an entirely new chapter has been added on implementing the Good Friday Agreement.

The conflict in Northern Ireland since 1969 has cost over 3,600 lives and about 100,000 people in Northern Ireland live in a household where someone has been injured in a troubles-related incident. This has been a key issue in British and Irish politics and the recent peace process in Northern Ireland and the current War on Terrorism has stimulated international involvement and a desire to learn the lessons of the troubles. Although Northern Ireland has a population of just 1.5 million people it is one of the most researched territories of the world. There is considerable controversy over the interpretation of the history of Northern Ireland, not least since 1969. This new addition to the Seminar Studies in History Series provides a comprehensive introduction to the difficult topic, reviewing different perspectives on the recent history of the conflict in Northern Ireland while at the same time providing an authoritative overview. Each book in the Seminar Studies in History series provides a concise and reliable introduction to complex events and debates. Written by acknowledged experts and supported by extracts from historical Documents, a Chronology, Glossary, Whos Who of key figures and Guide to Further Reading, Seminar Studies in History are the essential guides to understanding a topic.

The conflict in Northern Ireland since 1969 has cost over 3,600 lives and about 100,000 people in Northern Ireland live in a household where someone has been injured in a troubles-related incident. This has been a key issue in British and Irish politics and the recent peace process in Northern Ireland and the current 'War on Terrorism' has stimulated international involvement and a desire to 'learn the lessons' of 'the troubles'.

Although Northern Ireland has a population of just 1.5 million people it is one of the most researched territories of the world. There is considerable controversy over the interpretation of the history of Northern Ireland, not least since 1969. This new addition to the Seminar Studies in History Series provides a comprehensive introduction to the difficult topic, reviewing different perspectives on the recent history of the conflict in Northern Ireland while at the same time providing an authoritative overview.

Each book in the "Seminar Studies in History" series provides a concise and reliable introduction to complex events and debates. Written by acknowledged experts and supported by extracts from historical Documents, a Chronology, Glossary, Who's Who of key figures and Guide to Further Reading, "Seminar Studies in History" are the essential guides to understanding a topic.

"Performing the Northern Ireland Peace Process offers a nuanced and stimulating analysis which goes beyond standard explanations by exploring the motives and means used by those who made peace in Northern Ireland." (Professor Timothy White, Xavier University, USA) "Paul Dixon has produced an impressive and challenging book. Dixon defends the Northern Ireland peace process as a carefully-crafted, drawn-out episode in realist, pragmatic politics. However, he pulls few punches in highlighting the moral deceptions which have kept the process in play. Provocatively, Dixon also challenges a wide range of academic interpretations of the processes and their associated political prescriptions. Thoughtful and well-researched throughout, Performing the Northern Ireland Peace Process is an essential read for anyone interested in conflict management." (Professor Jon Tonge, University of Liverpool) "In this outstanding book, Dixon shows yet again the importance of the theatrical metaphor for Northern Ireland. More importantly still, he demonstrates that the adoption of a critically realist outlook actually enhances our capacity to think creatively about the political choices we face in international politics and the alternative policies and institutions we might construct." (Professor Adrian Little, The University of Melbourne) This book is exceptional in defending the 'dirty politics' of the Northern Ireland peace process. Political actors in Britain, Ireland and the United States performed the peace process and used 'political skills', often including deception and hypocrisy, in order to wind down the conflict and achieve accommodation. These political skills, it is argued, are often morally justifiable even as they are popularly condemned. The Northern Ireland peace process has been highly successful in reducing violence and an accurate understanding of its politics is an important contribution to international debates about managing conflict.

"Performing the Northern Ireland Peace Process offers a nuanced and stimulating analysis which goes beyond standard explanations by exploring the motives and means used by those who made peace in Northern Ireland." (Professor Timothy White, Xavier University, USA) "Paul Dixon has produced an impressive and challenging book. Dixon defends the Northern Ireland peace process as a carefully-crafted, drawn-out episode in realist, pragmatic politics. However, he pulls few punches in highlighting the moral deceptions which have kept the process in play. Provocatively, Dixon also challenges a wide range of academic interpretations of the processes and their associated political prescriptions. Thoughtful and well-researched throughout, Performing the Northern Ireland Peace Process is an essential read for anyone interested in conflict management." (Professor Jon Tonge, University of Liverpool) "In this outstanding book, Dixon shows yet again the importance of the theatrical metaphor for Northern Ireland. More importantly still, he demonstrates that the adoption of a critically realist outlook actually enhances our capacity to think creatively about the political choices we face in international politics and the alternative policies and institutions we might construct." (Professor Adrian Little, The University of Melbourne) This book is exceptional in defending the 'dirty politics' of the Northern Ireland peace process. Political actors in Britain, Ireland and the United States performed the peace process and used 'political skills', often including deception and hypocrisy, in order to wind down the conflict and achieve accommodation. These political skills, it is argued, are often morally justifiable even as they are popularly condemned. The Northern Ireland peace process has been highly successful in reducing violence and an accurate understanding of its politics is an important contribution to international debates about managing conflict.

'If something is calling you, an urge that overrides everything else, then you have to go with your heart, otherwise you might just spend the rest of your days wondering "what if ? " Remember what I've always said to you, son: follow your dreams.' It is the summer of 1982 in a small County Durham town. Eighteen year old Dom Blackburn, inspired by the words of his dying grandfather, unexpectedly turns his back on a career in the navy to pursue his ambition of becoming a pop singer. As he begins his journey, Dom finds the road to fame and fortune to be a rocky one littered with countless obstacles: a disapproving father, rival bands, a local gangster, and warring bandmates all prove problematic and threaten to derail his dream. A Solid Bond In Your Heart, with its themes of love, friendship, loyalty, hope and desire is an emotional rollercoaster ride packed with laughter, drama, humour and pathos.

This is the comprehensively revised and updated 2nd edition of a lively introduction to the nature and politics of the Northern Ireland conflict and of successive attempts to resolve it.It offers an original and balanced interpretation of 'the troubles' and of the Northern Ireland peace process. It presents complex debates in a clear and accessible manner.Clearly and accessibly written, Dixon provides a lively introduction to the nature and politics of the Northern Ireland conflict and of successive attempts to resolve it. The comprehensively revised 2nd edition has been updated to take account of new information and an entirely new chapter has been added on implementing the Good Friday Agreement.