On Bloody Sunday

 If you read only ONE book on the Troubles, one of the worst moments Europe has ever witnessed in its History, let it be THIS one. It's impossible to put into words the impact Campbell's chronicle had on me, even though I have read several books on the subject and have visited Belfast and Derry numerous times.

I have nothing more to say. Let me leave these quotes here, showcasing the ‘‘justice'' of the British Government...

From a press conference held by seven Derry priests on 31 January 1972:''We accuse the Colonel of the Parachute Regiment of wilful murder. We accuse the Commander of Land Forces of being an accessory before the fact. We accuse the soldiers of shooting indiscriminately into a fleeing crowd, of gloating over casualties, of preventing medical and spiritual aid reaching some of the dying. It is untrue that shots were fired at the troops in Rossville Street before they attacked. It is untrue that any of the dead or wounded that we attended were armed.We make this statement in view of the distorted and indeed conflicting reports put out by army officers. We deplore the action of the army and government in employing a unit such as the paratroopers who were in Derry yesterday. These men are trained criminals. They differ from terrorists only in the veneer of respectability that a uniform gives them.''

Many thanks to Octopus Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The author did a masterful job of presenting her topic and not straying off-topic. Telling the story through interviews of those who were actually there or were related to the deceased, is how I think as much of history as it can be, should be told.

The designer of the book's pages did a fantastic job of helping you keep track of who was speaking! Each speaker is called out before their words and the author's voice is distinguished in the text with italics. As well as providing an index at the back of each of the deceased and wounded for quick reference. A big applause for letting you know that exists on the very first page and not discovering after you'd struggled thru the entire book!

There are areas related to the IRA, Provisional IRA, Sinn Féin, and several other subjects that I would have liked to know more about but applaud the author for not sidetracking the story she wanted the reader to understand, which is all said in the subtitle of her book.