Passion and Cunning

Conor Cruise O'Brien's brilliant and hugely controversial 1965 essay on the political convictions of W. B. Yeats is the title-piece for this superb 1988 collection of pieces on politics, religion, nationalism and terrorism. 'O'Brien is a man of strong views, and he writes with verve and wit. Agree with him or not, one reads him with enjoyment.' Foreign Affairs '[ Passion and Cunning ] displays once again [O'Brien's] wonderful range of talents: a beautiful command of the language, gentle wit and