A new book on Martin McGuinness, by the columnist and retired academic Jude Collins [pictured], is to be launched in Derry next week to mark the first anniversary of the republican leader's death.
Through a series of interviews with some of the people who knew him best, the Derry-born writer offers the reader a range of perspectives on a man who helped shape Ireland's recent history.
Included in the 27 chapters are contributions from old friends and IRA comrades, political opponents and former enemies, and representatives from the British, Irish and US governments.
Former UU lecturer Collins said he was delighted with the reception he got from those he asked to interview.
He said: "I had spoken to Martin about writing his biography about two years before he died, but because of his commitments to work, and in Stormont, we never got a chance to carry out the series of interviews I would have needed.
"After he died, I still felt a real hankering to write a book about him. So I spoke to a number of people and asked them if they would be interested in talking to me about him, and I was delighted with the people who said they would."
Among those Collins successful approached were US envoy Senator George Mitchell, British government advisor Jonathon Powell and Ian Paisley's widow Eileen.
Mrs Paisley speaks fondly of the influence she believes her husband, Ian, had on Mr McGuinness.
"She spoke with such warmth and enthusiasm," said Collins. "And while I mightn't necessarily agree with her analysis of Martin's journey from IRA man to politician, I am very grateful to her for her contributions."
Collins himself first met Mr McGuinness when he was doing a number of short research interviews with people involved in education.
"As I was travelling up to Stormont, my sound man, a thorough unionist - when he learned who we were going to meet - said, 'Well, I won't be shaking hands with him'," recalls the writer.
"But when we arrived Martin bounced in full of charm and shook hands with me, the cameraman and of course the sound man ended up shaking hands with him as well. Within seconds the McGuinness charm had flattened him.
"I then got to know Martin, and he came to two of my book launches. The first one in Belfast, while I was up speaking, every head there was turning away to look at him.
"The second launch he spoke at for me was in Derry, at St Columb's College, along with John Hume. At first he said he had never crossed the threshold of the building - actually Lumen Christi - despite having been educated next door at the Brow of the Hill. But he then corrected himself and revealed that he had actually been sent up to the school once in 1969 by Eamonn McCann to break into the chemistry lab to get some materials for the riots!"
Personal friend
McCann, a friend and neighbour of Martin for much of his life, is also featured in the book: "He speaks of the friendliness and decency that was always shown to him by Martin - they always had a very good personal relationship - sentiments that wouldn't always have been echoed by others in Sinn Fein."
And Collins spoke also to the former Journal editor, Pat McArt, who now writes a column for the Derry News.
"McArt gave me a wonderful interview," said the writer. "In the 1980s there would have been considerable pressure on the press not to give republicans any voice at all. But McArt refused to be bullied and spoke regularly to Mr McGuinness.
"The newspaper man also tells a story about being with someone in his office, when Martin rang through to try and get something in the following day's paper. But it was late so McArt couldn't oblige. A few minutes later, Martin rang through again, saying it was important. But McArt said he couldn't help and, in his familiar fashion, told Martin to eff off.
"McArt's guest said he really admired his bravery - but he wasn't sure he'd want to be walking behind him on a dark night."
Policeman
Other Derry interviewees include Mitchel McLaughlin, Martina Anderson, Dennis Bradley, David Latimer and Eamonn MacDermott. Peter Sheridan, who was police commander in Foyle (earning himself a place on an IRA death-list,) also give his thoughts on Mr McGuinness.
"Mitchel McLaughlin was wonderful at taking small specific incidents and showing how they spoke to Martin's character or broader political thinking," says Collins. "He spoke about his poetry and his informed intelligence.
"Because I started writing the book just two months after Martin died, I was a little fearful when I started writing that some people might be over-affectionate in their memories - that I would get emotional one-way traffic. But that certainly wasn't the case - people were very straightforward and forthcoming in their views."
"There are 27 interviews - all had to be boiled down, and it took a lot of work. I'm a hopeless organiser, and poor and taking stuff off tape, so I am particularly pleased that the book is ready be launched in Derry on his anniversary."
'The Man I Knew' by Jude Collins (Mercier Press) will be launched next Wednesday, March 21, at Eason's Derry by Fr Michael Canny and Rev. David Latimer. Joe Brolly will host the Belfast launch the following night, while Bertie Ahern will preside at the Dublin event on Friday March 23.
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