Jack Lynch: Hero in Crisis

This masterful biography of Jack Lynch is an extraordinary portrait of a man who governed Ireland through the most significant crisis in the history of the Irish government. It unfolds the riveting story of Jack Lynch's life and depicts him as a natural, relaxed, gregarious sportsman who had a will of steel and unyielding views and beliefs. As Ireland's prime minister from 1966 to 1979, Lynch was the first leader forced to dismiss senior government colleagues on the suspicion of a conspiracy to subvert the state. His transformational thinking about Northern Ireland and Britain and his advocacy of nonviolent negotiations laid the foundations for reconciliation and progress. Whether in a seat of power or as a member of the opposition, his natural dignity and his innate leadership qualities gave him an authority that transcended party politics. In tracing Lynch's life from childhood through his remarkable career as a politician, the full scope of Lynch's lasting influence as one of Ireland's most popular and highly regarded leaders is revealed.