This work investigates the 1981 Irish hunger strike, examining the political motivations and personal sacrifices of the ten men who died in the Maze Prison. David Beresford, a veteran journalist, utilizes extensive primary source material, including secret communications smuggled out of the prison on toilet paper, to reconstruct the internal dynamics of the strike. The book provides a detailed account of the standoff between the prisoners and the British government, analyzing the broader implications for the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

This text is regarded as a definitive, primary-source-heavy account of a pivotal moment in modern Irish history. The subject matter points to a dense, meticulously researched study that remains essential for understanding the political landscape of the era.