[close] The legendary Irish revolutionary Michael Collins (the subject of the film starring Liam Neeson) was known to be an avid reader. And during his brief career he set up a few underground newspapers. Before his violent death at the age of 31, he also found time to write essays, which are collected here. There is a lively and informative introductory essay by Tim Pat Coogan, a prominent Irish journalist and author of the definitive biography on Collins, Michael Collins. In his essays, Collins distills his political thoughts and offers his unique insights into Ireland's troubled history. [close]