This unique book gives a clear and often shocking insight into the history of the Loyalist paramilitaries. Written by Ian S Wood, a leading authority on Ulster Loyalism, the book begins with a brief look at the early history of Ulster. It traces its rich and varied evolution as a famously rebellious part of Ireland and the emergence of secret agrarian societies. It explains the significance and iconography of figures such as King William of Orange and events like the Battle of the Boyne and shows how these events have shaped and formed a collective Loyalist mentality. The book explores the turbulent years before Irish independence, the 1912 Crisis and emergence of Edward Carson's Ulster Volunteer Force as a resistance force to Irish Home Rule. It goes on to look at the emergence, after the partition of Ireland, of Protestant and Loyalist vigilante groups in 1920s and 1950s as a means of maintaining Protestant hegemony over an increasingly bitter Catholic minority and the re-emergence of a new and increasingly invigorated and violent UVF in the 1960s. By 1970 a new group, the Ulster Defence Association had emerged as the largest Loyalist paramilitary organisation involved in a violent and bitter struggle with the forces of Irish Republicanism. The political aspirations of the various groups are also discussed and looked at within the context of fierce opposition to any perceived changes to the status quo in Northern Ireland. Ian S Woods takes an objective look at the current situation within the various Loyalist paramilitary groups in the light of the highly divisive and bitter feud that has rocked the UDA. He investigates the rise and fall of Johnny Adair and the murder of John Gregg, allegedly at the hands of Adair's supporters. Woods also asks the question of where the Loyalist paramilitaries can go from here? This work is illustrated with many powerful colour and black and white images of Loyalist paramilitaries, their marches, murals and leading personalities. Book jacket.