New book paints a vivid picture of the late Martin McGuinness

OUR MARTIN: IRISH REPUBLICAN MARTIN McGUINNESS

Written by Jim McVeigh

Published by Beyond The Pale Press

Price: £24.99

THE Columba Club in Coatbridge gave a warm welcome to Jim McVeigh for the launch of his recent publication Our Martin.

The book is a detailed account the life and career Martin McGuinness. McVeigh’s work covers McGuinness’s life from his early years as Bogside teenager in the 1960s, to his decision to join the IRA, to his later role as Deputy First Minister.

McVeigh chronicles the Derry’s man’s rapid rise through the ranks of Sinn Féin to become—at the age of just 22—one of its leaders who was flown to London to meet with the British Government officials’ to talk about ways of ending the conflict.

The book blends photo-history and a strong sense of written historical narrative on the key events of ‘The Troubles.’ So, the iconic photograph of McGuinness holding the handgun is accompanied with a thorough grasp of the reason that the organisation moved to a ballot-box strategy after the Hunger Strikes of 1981.

The writer’s portrayal of the Republican leader is one that emphasises McGuinness’s quiet charisma, courage and love of his family and his wife Bernie.

The question-and-answer session at the book launch displayed McVeigh’s deep knowledge of the Republican leader gained through personal contact with McGuinness. The author’s in-depth insight into McGuinness displayed a thorough grasp of Irish history and the current issues that are involved in any future cross border poll on unification.

In this fascinating event, McVeigh showed that he is not only an accomplished writer, but an excellent public speaker.

The author successfully blends a personal portrait of McGuinness, whilst painting the Republican leader into the wider historical landscape of Ireland.