All Hell Will Break Loose

'All Hell will break loose,and by God I will lead it'The fascinating story of the life and work of a man who was a force for change in Irish and Northern Irish politics. Here, Currie pieces together the complex and dramatic machinations that brought Northern Ireland to its current political incarnation, giving a behind-the-scenes account of the people and the events that changed history. Alongside this tale of politics and politicians is the story of the private man, and the violence visited upon his own family because of his career.

About the Author :
AUSTIN CURRIE first came to prominence as one of the most articulate and powerful Civil Rights activists in the Northern Ireland of the 1960s, where his most famous stand was the unheard-of occupation of a council house in Caledon, County Tyrone, in a protest against the sectarian bias in social housing allocations. Later, he was to become one of the founders of the SDLP, a key negotiator of the Sunningdale Agreement, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government in the NI Power Sharing government of 1974, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly of 1982 and of the New Ireland Forum. Uniquely, he was also elected to Dublin's Dail Eireann in 1989, and served as a Minister. He has withstood personal attack and violence and continued his political work in the face of many threats. His career has spanned the worst troubles of Northern Ireland's history, and the most dramatic positive developments of recent years.

Review :
'Remarkably candid in his judgement of his former colleagues. ... Currie's autobiography is suffused with humour and anecdote, and informed with the sort of telling detail of time and place that only comes from a daily journal. Future historiena of the bad times will find it indispensible.' -- Eric Waugh - Belfast Telegraph Belfast Telegraph The Belfast Telegraph 'The fascinating story of the list and work of a man who was a force for change in Irish and Northern Irish politics. Currie ... Pieces together the complex and dramatic machinations that brought Northern Ireland to its current political incarnation, giving a behind-the-scenes arrount of the people and the events that changed history. Alongside this tale of politics and politicians is the story of the private man, and the violence visited upon his own familiy because of his commitment to non-violent politics.' -- Dungannon Observer 'There is much to savour in this milestone publication. His legacy, one feels, led indirectly to Sinn Fein's ascendency but carries he 'Currie' brand nonetheless. For that reason, his book is right up there with the best.' -- Fermanagh Herald 'If this were not autobiography, or if the author was not relatively less vain than some of his political comtemporaries, an appropriate alternative title might well be Profiles in Courage. This is a story of raw courage, physical, moral and political, shown by those Northern Ireland politicians over the past four decades who stoof for justice and human rights, an end to discrimination and oppression, fair play for Catholics and nationalists, for a commitment to democratic politics and an implacable opposition to violence and terrorism. This is a brave book, by a brave man, with a very supportive and courageous wife.' -- Maurice Hayes - Sunday Independent The Sunday Independent 'This is a book for those who believe in the values of courage and steadfastness in politics, and in the value of democratic politics as a force for peaceful change. This matter-of-fact autobiography is not always an easy read. But then Austin Currie was never an easy man. Easiness is not what survival in the cauldrom of Northern politics requires. It demands toughness, cuteness and a refusal to lie down and diw, and he has all those qualities in spades.' -- Andy Pollock - The Irish Times The Irish Times 'The book successfully goes behind the scenes of an important time in our history. It is well worth adding to any collection of Troubles writing.' -- Austin Hunter - Newsletter The Newsletter 'In this outstanding autobiography, Currie recalls describiing Paisley way back in 1966 as "a bigoted hangover from the seventeenth century". One of the best books on the north written by a major participant.' -- John Cooney - Evening Herald Evening Herald 'insightful, witty, balances, free of score-settling, a mine of rich ore for future historians.' -- Rory Brennan - Books Ireland Books Ireland