This book investigates the core question of how the Ulster loyalist political vision and identity have shaped the trajectory of the Northern Ireland conflict. Steve Bruce, a sociologist specializing in religion and political violence, utilizes extensive interviews and historical analysis to examine the world-view of loyalist paramilitaries and evangelical supporters of Ian Paisley. He argues that the conflict is fundamentally an ethnic struggle and that peace initiatives often fail because they ignore the deeply entrenched nature of loyalist identity. By centering the perspectives of those often marginalized in peace negotiations, Bruce provides a framework for understanding the resistance to political change in the region.

Experts frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the internal logic of the loyalist movement during the Troubles. Readers often note the academic rigor and the author's commitment to presenting the internal perspective of a group frequently misunderstood by external observers.