Dead Man Running - Martin McGartland

Having read the other reviews I felt the need to give a straight forward honest opinion. I found some of the reviews miss the point and are confusing, misleading, and sadly biased. First things first, the front cover states; "The true story of a secret agent`s escape from the IRA and MI5"....and that is what it is. Not "Irelands political situation" nor does it promote "a heroes story". The book describes how a courageous young catholic man placed his own life on the line to make a difference and to save the lives of innocent people. He describes his thoughts and emotions through simplistic terms, and tells ...  Read the complete review

the book well written for an autobigraphy. i believe it was not meant to showcase Mc Gartland's literally prowess but to highlight the small day to day things that people do that change the lives and course of things. it is people like McGartland who move this world. had there been many like him, probably not only 50 lives would have been saved but more. by telling his story even though he is just but a "small man" in the bigger picture, we appreciate the efforts that were made to end the war. for someone who has never been to Ireland, now i appreciate more what people from Ireland went through...of course, i also believe that the IRA had its reasons for waging ...  Read the complete review

Having trawled through the pages of this dreadful book I have to conclude it is the work of a small insignificant man who is trying to create meaning for his very existence. I would have to question much of it's content, as to whether some of the 'meetings' he says took place, actually did take place. Why would 'Mike' even bother to go to Birmingham to meet this guy. He doesnt seem to like the idea much that he was nothing more than a device used by the SB to get what they wanted. He finds himself in Newcastle where, even had he used his real name, no one would still have ever heard of him. The English have no interest what goes on in N Ireland. His personality will not ...  Read the complete review

Martin Magartland was apparently a supergrass bedded deep in the IRA during the late 1980s gives a no holes bared tale of betrayal and hatred.He claims in the book that he was given up to the IRA by his secret MI6 handlers to tidy up a grubby lose end. Martin Ashe as he’s now known in his main land safehouse claims to have betrayed the republican cause to save people lives. But judging by the amount of books he has tried to bring out, I would say it was more about hard cash then anything idealist. I presume he was paid well for his treachery by his British government agents and when he was finally let down by his SBS handlers (Northern Ireland ...  Read the complete review