First published in 1971, Margery Forester's life of Michael Collins quickly established itself as the most authoritative account available. Based on an extensive examination of historical sources, interviews with Collins' surviving contemporaries and unrestricted access to personal material relating to him, it has retained its position as the standard biograpy of the 'Big Fellow'. 'Illuminating new personal material on Collins...Miss Forester has researched widely and intelligently.' Robert Kee, the Observer 'This excellent biography, much the best life of Collins that has appeared. Miss Forester is a first-class historian.' Times Literary Supplement 'An honest, fair-minded work containing a mass of information not generally known.' Francis Carty, the Sunday Press.