John Conroy performed a courageous feat of journalism with this book. As an American writer he put himself in the midst of the conflict and in incredible danger at times to capture the true picture of Belfast in the 80's. The stories of the people he encountered and the tough environment he experienced and witnessed is indispensible reading for anyone who wants to understand what the conflict was all about at the street level.
While Belfast seems to be enjoying more peaceful times at the moment this book is a reminder of just how volatile a political climate there is and provides the reader with a much fuller understanding of the how , the why and major developments in the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Not only do I admire John Conroy's writing, but I admire his courage to put himself right in the middle of 'the troubles' just to get the story right. It would one thing if Conroy was a Belfast resident and was just reporting on his day to day life, but he is not. He is an American who more or less stumbled upon this assignment and saw it through.

It struck me a few times in the book just how close Conroy was coming to being killed in a place where death is a way of life. He is to be commended for this and we owe a debt of gratitude for making this sacrifice just so we could get a look right from the belly of the beast.

Conroy rolls around in the grit and dirt of life in sectarian violence-shattered Belfast.
Everythings here-the horror stories,police violence, IRA knee-cappings, the tragic tales of getting involved with paramilitary groups, but what is most haunting is just how shatterd everyday life has become for everyone from Sandy Row to Shankhill.
I wouldn't call Conroy pro-Catholic or pro-nationalist be he does de-BBCize his storytelling for the reader giving them a look into the society and goings on of that large minority.
Conroy.
What the reader is ultimately left with is valuabe albiet painful insight into Western Europe's longest (and dirtiest) civil from an outsider's eye-witness view

Conroy rolls around in the grit and dirt of life in sectarian violence-shattered Belfast.
Everythings here-the horror stories,police violence, IRA knee-cappings, the tragic tales of getting involved with paramilitary groups, but what is most haunting is just how shatterd everyday life has become for everyone from Sandy Row to Shankhill.
I wouldn't call Conroy pro-Catholic or pro-nationalist be he does de-BBCize his storytelling for the reader giving them a look into the society and goings on of that large minority.
Conroy.
What the reader is ultimately left with is valuabe albiet painful insight into Western Europe's longest (and dirtiest) civil from an outsider's eye-witness view

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that Conroy did a great job putting the 'Troubles' in Belfast into perspective from an American living in the midst of it all. Having visted the area that he writes of brought back memories. I referred to his map at least 50 times during my reading of the book to recall the streets that I walked in relation to where he wrote the book and spent his time in Belfast. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that Conroy did a great job putting the 'Troubles' in Belfast into perspective from an American living in the midst of it all. Having visted the area that he writes of brought back memories. I referred to his map at least 50 times during my reading of the book to recall the streets that I walked in relation to where he wrote the book and spent his time in Belfast. I highly recommend this book.

of what it is like to live, work and experience the turmoil of "The Troubles." Conroy covered the Troubles the right way...he went in and lived among the people in Belfast instead of swooping in for drive-by interviews like too many journalists have done in the past. He also manages to convey what he experienced while maintaining objectivity...this skill when dealing with terrorist and paramilitary violence is something writers covering the "War on Terror" these days could learn from. Required reading for anybody interested in Northern Ireland, its history and how to possibly make a better future in that wartorn nation...

This book was recommended to me as excellent reading about the Troubles, particularly for Americans. I whole-heartedly agree; it is all that and more. Conroy does describe the daily workings of life in Northern Ireland but he also tackles the prejudices and ignorance of Americans (and the U.S. government) when it comes to the political climate in Northern Ireland. He pulls no punches and sugar-coats no issues. He explicates the situation as he sees it and is not afraid to indict those who turn blind eyes. The version I read was older so I have not yet seen the updated book that includes information on semi-recent IRA ceasefires. But I do think many of Conroy's observations are still applicable, changes in administration notwithstanding. He describes the intolerant view towards Sinn Fein taken by the American government in the 80s and the biased, oversimplified treatment of the Troubles by the American media. Indeed as Conroy notes it has not been hard to sell the British point-of-view to American audiences but what of the counterpoint? When do proponents of the other side get a chance? Conroy also concludes that for as long as Northern Ireland remains a British enclave, continued violence is guaranteed. For that reason alone, Americans owe it to themselves to read _Belfast Diary_.

My wife and I returned from a trip to Northern Ireland in SEP02 and purchased a copy of Belfast Diary. Simply, Belfast Diary is a book about a journalist from Chicago who rents a room in a home in Belfast to learn more about the Troubles. As mentioned by the other people who submitted reviews about this book, I couldn't put it down. However, I couldn't give this book five stars because I thought it painted a picture of the Troubles as seen from one side of the street. The author traveled to Belfast from Chicago (where each year they turn the river green on St. Patrick's Day), he worked on this book in a rented room in a home located in a Catholic section of Belfast, and he mentions that he is married to a Catholic woman from Northern Ireland. In my opinion, this book would have been much better had it been balanced. There are two sides to every conflict.

Thankfully a lot has changed in Belfast since Mr. Conroy wrote this book about what he experienced while living in the British province. Things have clearly changed for Ulster, which has become one of the up and coming destinations for tourists (as mentioned in Travel Weekly magazine in FEB03). A trip to Northern Ireland is a fascinating educational experience.

My wife and I returned from a trip to Northern Ireland in SEP02 and purchased a copy of Belfast Diary. Simply, Belfast Diary is a book about a journalist from Chicago who rents a room in a home in Belfast to learn more about the Troubles. As mentioned by the other people who submitted reviews about this book, I couldn't put it down. However, I couldn't give this book five stars because I thought it painted a picture of the Troubles as seen from one side of the street. The author traveled to Belfast from Chicago (where each year they turn the river green on St. Patrick's Day), he worked on this book in a rented room in a home located in a Catholic section of Belfast, and he mentions that he is married to a Catholic woman from Northern Ireland. In my opinion, this book would have been much better had it been balanced. There are two sides to every conflict.

Thankfully a lot has changed in Belfast since Mr. Conroy wrote this book about what he experienced while living in the British province. Things have clearly changed for Ulster, which has become one of the up and coming destinations for tourists (as mentioned in Travel Weekly magazine in FEB03). A trip to Northern Ireland is a fascinating educational experience.

I could not put this book down! I just returned from Belfast (a truly wonderful city) and this filled in the blanks for me. I finally understand why so many events that that we know of came about, and it his writing provided me with a more sympathetic understanding of their terrible situation. As hard as it is for an person raised in America to really understand the troubles on a heart felt level, Conroy facilitates that.

I could not put this book down! I just returned from Belfast (a truly wonderful city) and this filled in the blanks for me. I finally understand why so many events that that we know of came about, and it his writing provided me with a more sympathetic understanding of their terrible situation. As hard as it is for an person raised in America to really understand the troubles on a heart felt level, Conroy facilitates that.

Excellent! I enjoyed reading this book and found it hard to put down. I didn't know a great deal about the situation in Northern Ireland and wanted to learn more. I felt this book gave a clear and unbiased view. John Conroy does an outstanding job of telling his story while continually mixing in the historical background. I don't think anyone with an interest in this subject will be disappointed.

Great book.The first one I've read that really describes the situation here

This book answered a lot of my questions about the conflict in Ireland. The history of why Protestants and Catholics don't get along and how the Protestants got there by the British sheds a lot of light on the current day conflict. I found myself furious with the British government many, many times for the way they made the situation worse. John Conroy was fortunate to be in Ireland in the early 80's, a time period I find very interesting with the Hunger Strikes. I would recommend this book to any person wishing to understand the conflict over there.

My first visit to Ireland was in the '80s ...my aunt was living in Belfast at the time, and she always downplayed the troubles. I went up to Belfast like the dumb Yank that I was, looking for a little excitement with my cousins who lived in Cork. My first day in the city, a British paramilitary trooper pointed a gun at me. Reading John Conroy's book made me feel as I did at that moment-frightened and angry, as well as able to see the fear in the soldier's eyes...it is a moment that will always stay with me. Mr. Conroy's book captures the essence of what it is like to try to live an ordinary life in the midst of chaos. I was back to Belfast last year for a few days, and things were different. There is still obviously a lot of work to be done, but there are some hopeful and positive changes there.

Ya the truth is scarry. My parents are both from Belfast and imigrated when I was an infant, as we still have many relatives over there I have heard about the troubles all my life but I have come to a new understanding of what they have been saying all these years. This is not a text book, it is a book that anyone can read and understand.

John Conroy, in writing this book, has succeeded in opening my eyes about the Troubles in Northern Ireland in a way that I never thought possible. It is an incredibly well presented look into a situation that has been allowed to exist for far too long at the expense of innocent lives. Despite the rather pro-Catholic stance the author takes, it does not diminish in any way the devastation this conflict has caused. I do not for one minute regret my decision to purchase this book, for it definitely needed to be written and the story of this issue told.

For anyone interested in or ignorant of "The Troubles" this book is a must read. Written in a clear, concise and straight forward manner this book gives a brief background of the conflict in Northern Ireland, then provides a "snapshot" of life in the war torn city of Belfast from the a first person point of view/reference. Mr. Conroy must be applauded for having the courage and determination to immerse himself in a part of the world and into a subject, which it seems most (American and British, especially) journalists are unaware...by choice. One can only hope that the concept of "equal justice under law" will be the next permanent "fad" to invade Northern Ireland.

I have done a lot of reading on Belfast and the IRA during my work on a novel about a musician who grows up in Belfast and moves to Minnesota. During the course of my own writing I have had many many questions about what his childhood would be like and if I am being realistic in my portrayal of this character. This book was an excellent resource for me, and based on the information in it, I have made some revisions to my character.

Belfast Diary gives the reader not only a "factual" picture of life in the war-torn city, but also evokes the spirit of the place. Many times, as I read, I found myself with tears in my eyes at the extreme conditions Belfast natives accept as "normal."

Conroy lived with Catholics in a Catholic neighbourhood as he wrote this book, so I have to admit it has a republican slant to it. I admire Conroy for putting himself into the poorest parts of the city and experiencing life there for himself. This is an excellent book.

Are you the average American completely confused with the subject on Northern Ireland and "The Troubles"? This is THE book for you. John Conroy writes in easy to understand language with an underlining compassion for the people he is writing about. This book is moving and reads like a novel. I couldn't put it down. If you are interested in this subject, please read it. You will not be disappointed.

I found this book to be very profound.It gave me an understanding of what the problems are through an American eyes.Mr.Conroy did an excellent job of telling about the past and the present without dragging the story along.I would like to know what happened to the people he encountered on his mission.

I recently came back from Ireland, just 2 weeks ago. I decided to go to the North. Reading this book helped me to understand what was going on. Catholic communities are still blocked in, and not only in Belfast! It was heart retching to see the way the Catholics are still being treated. Even with the cease fire in effect, we happed to accidently drive through villiages that had been bombed that day. I can only pray for peace once and for all in the North, and I commend the author for his courage of living there in the had times, and even more for having the courage to write this book! Every bit of it seems to be sadly true. I wish to thank the suthor for opening my eyes even more to the troubles in the North!

I'm grateful for this book. I've read several books about the Troubles, but this was the first told both from an American point of view and a man-on-the-street perspective. _Belfast Diary_ is an important contribution to historical writing. I only wish that some photos had been included. But through this book Americans can begin to understand the motives behind a never-ending civil war.

I loved this book. It was a very interesting story of an American journalist who placed himself on the front line of the conflict in Belfast. While attempting to blend in, he finds himself being questioned by both sides of the "peace wall." He even has an interesting run-in with the IRA. This book is a good read as well as very informative.

I was assigned Conroy's "Belfast Diary" my junior year in college for a course in Western European Politics. However, Conroy's book was a far cry from my usual stack of dry texts. "Belfast Diary" captivated me. I couldn't put the book down. This book is a rarity, in that the author paints a poignant, while succinct, account of the contemporary struggle in Northern Ireland. I have not found another author that has done so with such detail and grace. A must read.

Conroy recounts his experiences as an American journalist living in Belfast. He masterfully intertwines his spellbinding experiences with the history of "the troubles" in Northern Ireland. This is a superior book for the history reluctant or adversed. Engaging, gripping and intelligent, it is hard to put this book down. This is a "must read" for those preparing to travel to Northern Ireland or those who want to develop a better understanding of the complexities, emotions, history and politics of this divided people. Conroy's insights will expand the readers appreciation of current events in Northern, Ireland.

I found this book at the library in 1993, and have never forgotten it. I had just met an Irish man with a limp, and became interested in learning more about his homeland. I wish I'd read this book before hand, I would have had so many questions for him.

Before reading the book, I had no knowledge of Ireland, the "troubles", the land, or the people and their suffering. I probably wouldn't have finished reading if I had checked out a stale text book or history book. The author's style made all the difference.

All the facts I was hoping to learn were here-woven throughout first-hand accounts from people born and raised in Ireland.

I couldn't stop reading; amazing, since I usually find only fiction this captivating.

Belfast Diary is a moving, eye opening experience. John Conroy takes you from the viewpoint of a questioning American to an insiders look at life in Northern Ireland. As a part of the Belfast community he takes you through important events with insight and understanding. He helps you understand how a community learns to accept violence as a way of life and how they survive it. This is a MUST read for anyone who is interested in understanding the "troubles", and anyone who cares about the people of Northern Ireland