Rebel Heart

At the age of 20, George Lennon became the youngest commander of a flying column during the Irish War of Independence, leading the West Waterford column in ambushes and actions in the face of heavy odds against British forces across the county. When Civil War followed the War of Independence Lennon chose to oppose the pro-Treaty government and fought in the battle for Waterford city. However, he laid down his arms when it became clear that the anti-Treaty cause was lost and that continuing the fight would lead to further suffering amongst the civilian population. In 1927, Lennon emigrated to America, returning to Ireland ten years later where he made earnest attempts to develop the national economy of the new state through the Irish Tourist Board and the National Planning Conference. However, he became disillusioned with these efforts and returned to the United States in 1946, later becoming a dedicated pacifist and even a practitioner of Zen Buddhism. Lennon is a figure who deserves to be remembered. In this new and revealing biography, Terence OReilly brings to life the story of an intriguing and talented man using previously unpublished memoirs, Lennons own letters and statements, and the recollections and statements of his family and comrades.