There is a strange feeling I get whenever I read a book on the Troubles of Northern Ireland. I have still not traveled to the motherland (shame on me), but I grew up steeped in Irish culture around quite a few Irish people fresh off the boat like my grandparents. I've always been proud to be descended from people who have had to overcome quite a bit, to put it mildly. At the same time, I am grew up a middle class American and the Troubles often felt like something I didn't deserve to have an opinion on. All of this is to say, I did not go into Ali Watkins' book, The Next One is for You completely free of bias and complicated feelings. Based on Watkins' epilogue, I might hazard to say she felt the same way.

Watkins tells the story of the Philadelphia Five. These were men who were funneling weapons to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) otherwise known as the Provos. If you think the word "Provisional" seems weird and wonder why I didn't just say "IRA" then buckle up because the Troubles cannot be explained easily. In fact, I would venture to say anyone new to this subject will read this book and think Watkins could have simplified things. I can assure you that this is probably one of the more simplified stories of the Troubles. (Good luck trying to jump into a story of the Irish Civil War cold.)

Watkins digs into how the Philadelphia Five used an organization called the Irish Northern Aid Committee or NORAID as a front to purchase and ship the weapons to Northern Ireland for the Provos. (Fun fact: NORAID's current headquarters are in my hometown of Pearl River, NY. I told you I grew up around a hell of a lot of Irish people.) Watkins mainly tries to keep the overall story readable while explaining what is happening in the U.S. and Northern Ireland while explaining the rise of Sinn Féin. Yes, that is another organization born out of the IRA and yes, I told you it is really hard to explain all of this in a short review.

Ok, now I just explained the absolute basics. To try and wrap this thing up, I think Watkins does a great job looking at the interplay between American supporters of the Provos and how the guns made their way across the Atlantic. There are numerous side stories like a Catholic priest who administers to the political prisoners or an IRA member who has a VERY bad first night with a weapon. Watkins prose is easy to read and the various narratives feed into each other. I highly recommend it.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company.)

This is such an interesting look at the troubles. A look that we don’t often see- the American side. The juxtaposition of Geraldine’s story and the story of the gun smuggling in Philadelphia was so well done. I just wish we knew more.

While I think I’ve heard before that Americans were running guns to the IRA, this was a story I had never heard. Watkins does a fantastic job introducing the players and their stories. She also allows you to root for them, which I appreciate. These were real people fully believing in what they were doing. This comes across so clearly.

This is meticulously researched. Following the story of only ONE gun, but telling the story of many. This is a must read for anyone interested in Ireland and the troubles.

This was a really interesting concept for guns and their history in the world. Ali Watkins did a lot of research and worked with what I was expecting form this type of book. I really didn't know anything about this and can't wait to read more from Ali Watkins.