This classic text, first published in 1964, opens with an account of the victory of Count Plunkett, father of the executed 1916 leader, Joseph Plunkett, in the February 1917 bye-election in North Roscommon. This was the first opportunity the Irish people had to show their support for the ideals of the 1916 leaders electorally. The book concludes with an account of the asassination of Seargent King of the "Castlerea Murder Gang" of the Black and Tans on the morning of the truce in July 1921. In between it details raids, ambushes, reprisals and escapes at Rockingham, Ballymote, Knockcroghery, Ballaghadrreen, Teevnacreeva, Ballinlough, Frenchpark, Fouremilehouse, Carrick-on-Shannon, Elphin, Keadue, Scramogue, Loughglynn, Athlone and Boyle. It tells the story of key figures in the area such as Fr. Michael O'Flanagan, Paddy Moran, Fr. Malachy Brennan, Joe Tormey and the many brigades and companies of the North and South Roscommon Volunteer battalions and the neighbouring counties with which they worked. It also looks back to the county's Fenian heritage in the figure of Ned Duffy.

Micheal O'Callaghan (1923-86) was editor of the Roscommon Herald for over 30 years. He was also county chairman of the GAA for 13 years and was a founding member of Comhltas Ceoltoirí Éireann in the county. He knew practically everyone in Roscommon and it's diaspora, and practically everyone in Roscommon was familiar with him!Gabriel Doherty teaches in the Department of History, University College Cork. He received his BA in Modern History from Oxford University, having studied at Magdalen College between 1986 and 1989.