Making Peace: The Inside Story of the Making of the Good Friday Agreement

by George Mitchell

Former United States senator George Mitchell tells the inside story of how he maneuvered the warring factions of Northern Ireland into signing the Good Friday peace agreement in 1998. This was no small task, requiring him to bring together Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, Catholic moderate John Hume, Protestant politico David Trimble, unionist Ian Paisley, Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern, and British prime minister Tony Blair. Mitchell's prose is a model of clarity--a surprising quality coming from the pen of a politician, especially one of the most partisan Senate majority leaders of all time. There is plenty of detail about the negotiations and all of their turns, but never so much as to become tedious. Along the way, Mitchell offers interesting asides on achieving success in politics and "As majority leader of the United States Senate, I had learned that when you've got the votes, you vote. Delay can only hurt." It's too soon to know the ultimate outcome of Mitchell's labors, but initial signs are hopeful, suggesting that this memoir might have real staying power. --John J. Miller

Genres: Nonfiction, Ireland, Politics, History, World History, Biography

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[George Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly phenomenal read. While the writing itself was incredible dense to get through (just getting through the different political party abbreviations was a mental nightmare), the information and content was wonderful. When I started this book, I had a very basic and shallow understanding of these peace accords and their historical backdrop and significance. However, the seer amount of material covered in this (arguably) brief book completely changed that. I gained an appreciation for the history of the conflict when briefly touched upon, the political scene of the time, the variety and skill of the individuals involved, and the incredible work of George Mitchell and his team. As someone who is very interested in pursuing a career in politics and/or foreign diplomacy and other policy, I found this both fascinating and informative: a clear and personal insight into the inner-workings of international peace-building and negotiation at work.
Mitchell addressed 4 main groups throughout this book: the people of North Ireland, the Irish and UK press, the politicians he interacted with for hundreds of hours, and his own personal experiences. These three fronts helped establish a solid view of his experiences, in addition to grasping the overarching issues of the conflict and agreements. Not only was this an amazing work of political and historical non-fiction, but it was a wonderfully written view into the life of an extremely talented politician and diplomatic weathering the trials of political turmoil, senseless violence, and intense personal loss and pain. I would say that I haven't read a book of this type I enjoyed nearly as much since I read "Five Presidents", by Clint Hill. This will definitely be a book I recommend to my friends, and I will plan on rereading in the future.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completed 140119: Very enjoyable. My first reading of the Irish peace process. A bit tedious at times, but nonetheless informative. I am particularly intrigued with the role of "timing" in a negotiation process. Speeding up and slowing down are as important to the outcome as are the substantive issues.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This week’s headline? Peace in Ulster

Why this book? executive, harmonizing, consultative

Which book format? UC Press paperback

Primary reading environment? all day Saturday

Any preconceived notions? written by politician

Identify most with? sadly, Ian Paisley

Three little words? “democracy and non-violence”

Goes well with? coffee and protein

Recommend this to? Mitchell Scholarship applicants

"This conflict was made and sustained by men and women. It could be ended by men and women. And I knew those men and women."

This insight comes fairly late in the two-year Northern Ireland peace talks, and it's incredibly optimistic, given the slow pace of everything that had happened beforehand.

In the story, Mitchell takes detours into the Clinton-Dole debates and a typically libelous encounter with the Daily Mail, and when he returns to the Northern Ireland peace talks, they are still in the "agenda-setting" phase. The pace of the book, if off-kilter, accurately reflects the talks themselves: two years of organizational procedures capped off by two whirlwind weeks of actual policy. It's amazing politicians get anything done at all.

I mean it. How do people spend their entire lives slogging through the doldrums of public service? At one point, Mitchell admits something about leaving "these contentious people" to work things out on their own, and I don't blame him.

Parties refuse to address each other directly or take responsibility for their paramilitary groups. Ian Paisley walks out not once but twice, calls people names, and demands a press conference during the eleventh hour. These are all the strategies of high school mean girls. You expect matters of life and death and civil rights to more staid. Of course, they never are, especially when the warring factions can't even agree to recognize the authority of the peace process itself.

Mitchell describes the Northern Ireland situation in terms of three concentric realms: peace among the people within the province of Northern Ireland; peace between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; and peace between the Irish government and the British government.

Add to that 10 different political parties representing the 1.5 million people in Northern Ireland, and things get complicated very quickly.

Other cultural accompaniments: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/...

Grade: A-

I leave you with this: "For most human beings, I said, life is essentially an endless quest for respect – first, self-respect, and then the respect of others. There is no surer or more meaningful way to earn respect than through service to other people."

[Sanjeev Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times dry yet fascinating account of how the Good Friday Agreement came about. The main lessons I learnt from his insights were 1. The need to fix a timetable - this created a point of crisis forcing the numerous parties to work together to reach agreement or risk very real failure 2. To keep the door open to constant dialogue which is essential to accommodate compromise from all parties.

[Judah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look at Mitchell's experience helping start the peace process in Northern Ireland. A must read for budding diplomats and people interested in the Emerald Isle.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the process from his perspective.

[Greg Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in foreign policy, Irish history, or how to make peace. It is a dense read and I wish it would’ve included more of the history of the Troubles to provide context. I

[Karen Brophy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary story of patience .

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very readable account of the peace process from Mitchell's point of view, and has a good summery of the groups involved which I found helpful. Whatever you think of the details it's amazing that they managed to achieve agreement at all, and at least made a basis to build on. Worth reading.

[Briynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senator George Mitchell's account of his role mediating the Belfast Accord. Amazing, amazing book for anyone who is at all interested in international diplomacy, Irish history, or anything of the sort. The man sat down with Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley at the same time - he's officially a hero.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably would have given it a higher rating before the Mitchell Report came out. . . his view point of the peace process in Northern Ireland. . . Gerry Adams' books are must better (more of the Irish humor!)

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting recount of efforts to bring two long warring sects/peoples, though it remains inexplicable how the hatred can/could become so entrenched in the first place. An enjoyable read from an accomplished mediator.