Making Peace

March 1, 1999
Politics, according to Bismarck, is the art of the possible. Mitchell, the former Senate majority leader, used his mastery of this art to achieve the seemingly impossible: a peace settlement in Northern Ireland. This is his account of his role as chairman of the interparty negotiations and of how the major nationalist and unionist political parties--and the British and Irish governments--managed to forge the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. Recruited by President Clinton to serve as an intermediary in the peace process, Mitchell spent nearly three years trying to create the conditions that made the final agreement possible. It wasn't easy. The IRA temporarily abandoned its ceasefire in the middle of the process, and extremist unionist and nationalist paramilitary groups tried their utmost to thwart the process by continuing to conduct bombings and shootings. Mitchell describes the twists and turns of the peace process in comprehensive detail, and his overview of the conflict provides a concise introduction to the turbulent history of Northern Ireland. He came to know all of the major protagonists very well, and his shrewd assessments of Gerry Adams ("sincerely trying hard, in difficult and dangerous circumstances, to bring his supporters into the grand tent of democracy"), David Trimble ("he saw the opportunity to end a long and bitter conflict, and he did not want to go down in the history books as the man who let it pass") and other political leaders enrich the book. In discussing the crucial final negotiating session, the narrative becomes as fast-paced as any thriller. While noting that the peace remains fragile, Mitchell provides solid evidence for believing the Good Friday agreement will hold and that the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland have finally come to an end.

April 15, 1999
The landmark 1998 Good Friday Agreement of Northern Ireland still holds, however threatened. That agreement was the result of several years of intense, difficult negotiations led by former senate majority leader Mitchell (Not for America Alone: The Triumph of Democracy and the Fall of Communism, LJ 4/15/97). Here he presents a readable, illuminating portrait of the negotiation process, offering vivid snapshots of the key players and the high and low points of the whole affair. His understanding and observations are characterized by the same good sense and fairness that have long been regarded as hallmarks of his character and key elements in his successful senate career. Mitchells unusual family backgroundhis orphaned Irish American father was raised by Lebanese Americans, and his mother is Lebanesemay account for some of his understanding of and obvious patience with ethnic and religious tensions and differences. Highly recommended for larger public and academic libraries where such political fare is of interest.Charles V. Cowling, Drake Memorial Lib., Brockport, NY

March 1, 1999
After 15 years in the U.S. Senate (and 6 as that body's majority leader), Mitchell retired January 2, 1995. Seven days later, he took on a temporary position planning a conference on trade and investment in Northern Ireland, an appointment that led to his chairing (with Canadian General John de Chastelain and former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri) talks between Britain, Ireland, and eight Northern Ireland political parties, which by Easter 1998 produced an agreement that may mark the end of that nation's "troubles." "Making Peace" is Mitchell's personal account of this work, from his first explorations of a deeply polarized society through the snags and snarls of years of negotiations to the intense wrangling in 1998 as the Easter deadline approached. Two significant, sometimes countervailing contexts affected the talks--political developments in Britain and Ireland and violence by paramilitary groups allied with one or another of the Northern Ireland parties. There was, too, the occasional, generally positive intervention by U.S. President Clinton. Mitchell and his cochairs served as honest brokers, pushing the parties to respect ordinary citizens' hopes for peace. A fascinating inside story of vital negotiations. ((Reviewed March 1, 1999))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1999, American Library Association.)