'This is an important contribution to the study of post-World War I Ireland. The author argues strongly that the returning ex-servicemen did not face violence, persecution and social exclusion because of their service, and counters the previously accepted view about the treatment of these men. In so doing Taylor presents a more nuanced understanding of how these men were treated, and his book is a substantial contribution to the debate. It is difficult to argue with his conclusion - they were neither heroes nor traitors.' Patrick McCarthy, Irish Sword 'It has become commonplace to suggest that Irishmen who fought in that war were forgotten and that on return to Ireland many of them were persecuted. Paul Taylor's Heroes or Traitors is a welcome corrective to that narrative.' Irish Economic and Social History 'Taylor's study is to be congratulated for bringing this timely topic to light, and it is no criticism to suggest that his work brings many more questions to the fore. Taylor's work will be considered as the foundation for this future research to build upon.' Michael Robinson, Liverpool Postgraduate Journal of Irish Studies '[Taylor] poses important questions about the role historians and journalists can play in creating a false public consciousness, even a guilt complex, about the past.' Padraig Yeates, Dublin Review of Books 'Paul Taylor'sHeroes or Traitors?is an incredibly important book. In the scale of his research he has gone very far beyond the scope and depth of previous studies to produce a volume which will change our view of how First World War veterans fared in the south of Ireland.' Richard Grayson Reviews 'A very timely subject for study based on extremely impressive archival research.' Marie Coleman, Queen's University Belfast