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North Belfast Blues: A journey from childhood to the front line of The Troubles
It’s the early 1970’s. A boy is growing up at a terrifying sectarian interface in North Beflast during The Troubles, where bombs, bullets, death and murder are a daily occurrence. After one-too-many bodies is dumped outside his family’s front door they finally flee the violence in search of a quieter, more peaceful rural life.
He returns to the same streets a decade later, this time as a paramedic, dealing with the same horrors that denied him a childhood; events which still carry on, and will continue to do so for another decade before the ceasefires and the Good Friday Agreement.
He returns to the same streets a decade later, this time as a paramedic, dealing with the same horrors that denied him a childhood; events which still carry on, and will continue to do so for another decade before the ceasefires and the Good Friday Agreement.
This is a true story of survival, of finding a purpose and identity that eluded him as a child. And of compassion for all ages and all sides in the terrible conflict. A testimony to the people who survived the conflict, and an acknowledgement of the dedication of the front line medical staff.
Death was everywhere, but so was humanity.
North Belfast Blues is not a story of blood or of gore; it’s a story of real people.
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by Carol
Growing up in Belfast through the troubles was hard enough but being a wee catholic boy and your dad a British soldier! Then going on to be a paramedic to be in the thick of it all.
I take my hat off to you Brendan Magill, great read, tears of sadness, laughter, respect and full of compassion, A real insight into what wearing a uniform involves ❤️well worth a read folks!
by Ruth
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, couldn’t put it down. Written with great depth, humour & compassion, it had me laughing one minute & in tears the next.
A true story of growing up & working through the worst of times, but with the best of people.
by VICTORIA Crawford
I couldn’t put it down and read it in 1 day!!!! Such an emotional rollercoaster which had me chuckling out loud one minute and in tears the next. Such a compelling read and comes highly recommended!!!
by M Tohill
I have read one of Brendan’s book before but I absolutely loved this one. You definitely need a sense of humour doing that job.
I have been reiterating various points to my children on the way to school and they find it very entertaining.
When is the next one??
by mrs rosemary bennett
Fantastic read, funny at times but also very sad.
Very emotional reading what we all went through as children.
What we went through,what we witnessed should never be forgotten.
What the emergency services went through was even worse.
How they did what they did day and night is beyond words.
Really enjoyed this book even though it was very emotional at times.
Well done, would definitely recommend.
by Jordan McNeill
I have to say the memoirs from Brendan prove to be an inspiring tale of service to the people of Belfast & N.Ireland during the darkest of times; as a north Belfast boy & Paramedic myself I can only imagine what working throughout that time might have been like; an awe inspiring tale of service, compassion,comradre and dedication to colleagues and patients.
by Phil lewis
Enjoyed the book. So many ordinary people doing extraordinary jobs through the best and worst of times. A brilliant, humorous , and compassionate read. 👏🏼👏🏼
by Amazon Customer
Being familiar with the area the author writes about makes this a particularly compelling read. The ever-present undercurrent of fear, tension, and unspoken rules. The way conflict was normalised allows it to resonate on a much deeper level. It’s a beautiful reflection on how his formatihve years helped shape an adult driven by empathy and compassion. An honest and heartfelt memoir. A balance of heartbreak and warmth, sprinkled with humour, that had me both laughing and crying.