The Yank

The True Story of a Former US Marine in the Irish Republican Army

By: John Crawley

Narrated by: David de Vries

1975: A young Irish-American man joins an elite US Marine unit to get the most intensive military training possible—then joins the Irish Republican Army, during the days of some of the bloodiest fighting ever in the Irish-British conflict.

In a powerful, brutally honest recounting of his experience, John Crawley details, first, the grueling challenges of his Marine Corps training, then how he put his hard-earned skills to use back in Ireland in service of the Provos. It is a story that will see him running guns with notorious American mobster—and secret IRA fundraiser—Whitey Bulger; running, under cover of night, from safe house to safe house in the Irish countryside, one step ahead of British troops; being captured, imprisoned, and being part of a mass escape attempt; fending off a recruitment offer from the CIA; and being one of the masterminds behind a campaign to take out London's electrical system.

Along the way, Crawley is blisteringly candid about the memorable people he worked with, including behind-the-scenes portrayals of revered IRA leader Martin McGuinness, and of the psychopathic Whitey Bulger, as well as others in the Boston IRA support network. There are vivid portraits of colleagues and enemies, and Crawley is unflinching in his commentary on IRA leadership and their tactics, both military and political.

©2022 John Crawley (P)2022 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Great Book

I really enjoyed listening to this book. As an Irish-American myself, I found the author’s insights ver interesting.

A must read!

John’s book is more than just a riveting, page turning story. The issues and perspectives raised in this wonderful book will inspire many hours of further reading and research into the Irish struggle for true independence from english rule.

Great book

Growing up Irish American in Charlestown, MA with American military and IRA family members, I can identify with a lot of the author’s points of view. The book does a very good job of keeping you interested and engaged. Great story and well told.

Very insightful

Great read. John does a great job of framing the actual reason for the conflict in Ireland - the pursuit of a 32 county democratic republic. I love the contrast with our war of independence, the parallels are very compelling. If you want to cut through the centuries old British narrative this is a must read.

Very well written and gripping story

Forgive the cover. This is a well written book by an intelligent author that was an on the ground member of the Provisional IRA. If you’re at all interested in the armed struggle of the Irish republican volunteers during what’s known as the Troubles, give this a listen!