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Blanketmen

By: Richard O’Rawe, Richard English - foreword
Narrated by: Roger Clark
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Summary

"I was told in 1991 that I could be shot for opening my mouth. But I am convinced that the truth should be told and that I have a duty to the dead hunger strikers to explain fully the events that led to their deaths."

Richard O'Rawe was a senior IRA prisoner in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh Prison. One of the "Blanketmen," he took part in the dirty protests that led to the hunger strikes of the early 1980s.

In Blanketmen, O'Rawe gives his personal account of those turbulent times that saw British and Irish governments entering unprecedented negotiations with the IRA Army Council and the prisoners themselves. Passionate, disturbing, and controversial, this remains a landmark book in the cruel history of Northern Ireland.

After 10 years, and the release of historical state and personal papers, Richard O'Rawe's assertions in Blanketmen have been vindicated. He has been married to Bernadette for 40 years, has three grown-up children, and still lives in west Belfast.

©2005 Richard O’Rawe (P)2021 Tantor
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What listeners say about Blanketmen

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Very enjoyable

A very honest account of a horrific period in Irish history. The author brings a first hand experience of the times. The narration should have been done by a Belfast actor tho.

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Brilliant

This is the brilliant story of those terrible events at the hands of the tyrannical english.

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Well told and a great insight

A well told account of what life was like for the Blanket men, Unimaginable hell.

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A well written book,

well read and a thought provoking insight into the inner workings of the provisional IRA and British State.

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great read

really enjoyed this read . what these poor men had to go through. it's great to hear the truth about everything happened at that horrible time

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Interesting listen

A truest brilliant book that shows up failings on both sides to protect the inmates by the uk and the IRA

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what an insight into the H Blocks

what an insight into the H Blocks during the blanket protest and Hunger strikes. i still remember it like it was yesterday. I was 15 when Bobby Sands died. Richard O Rawe after having to live through it really brings the reader into the H block'. one small criticism is that it should of been read by someone from the North of Ireland who could pronounce the place names and a few other things properly. it was a bit irritating at times. I would of given 5 stars for all aspects if this had of been the case.

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Enthralling

Great detail and insight to the struggle these brave men endured. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

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The honesty

I have watch a few documentaries with Richard in them and didn’t know he wrote books I found this book amazing and I hope we as people of the north of Ireland learn from it

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Brother, comrades, friends

" A half truth is a half lie" Power in Honesty, when people have nothing else left.

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