Peadar O’Donnell joined the IRA and led Guerilla activities in Donegal and Derry during the Irish War of Independence. He was arrested and became involved in organizing a hunger strike among the anti-treaty Republicans which lasted 41 days.
This is a story of prison life in the midst of Civil War in Ireland that combines glimpses of humor with moments of tragic poignancy. The author describes games of handball and bridge with men who faced the firing squad within twenty-four hours.
O’Donnell was one of the last survivors of the Independence struggle in Ireland. He retained his radicalism and idealism right up to his death in 1986 at the age of 93.