There really could only be one choice for this week's BOOK OF THE WEEK. We were thrilled beyond thrilled, joyed beyond joyed, to hear that Douglas Murray's Bloody Sunday has been longlisted for The Orwell Prize! Can I get a woo and also a hoo? WOOHOO.
The book is the story of the Saville Inquiry, which looked into the events of Bloody Sunday. In 1972, what was supposed to be a peaceful march ended with 14 dead, and an equal number wounded, as the army went in to control a riot in the City of Derry.
We are very proud of Douglas, who is a brilliant writer, bestselling author and award-winning journalist. I'll leave you with the words of the late, great Christopher Hitchens:
‘[Murray writes with] a nice combination of reason and irony ... a very cool but devastating analysis. This is a period when tough-mindedness and clarity are at a discount, and it is highly encouraging to find someone youthful, defiant and principled who can both write and think at the same time.’
Boom-ting.