After a chapter of background on the period from 1921 to 1963, this text on the Troubles in Northern Ireland covers the ensuing period - the descent into violence, the hunger strikes, the Anglo-Irish accord and the bombers in England - to the contemporary, shaky peace process. Behind the deluge of information and opinion about the conflict, there is a straightforward and gripping story. This text aims to tell that story, it describes and explains a lethal but fascinating time in Northen Ireland’s history, which brought not only death, injury and destruction, but enormous political and social change. It closes on an optimistic note, convinced that while peace - if it comes - will always be imperfect, a corner has now been decisively turned.