Alex Maskey book signing

Alex Maskey is pictured signing copies of Man and Mayor at the Art Shop, Falls Road on Thursday 6 November. The book charts the remarkable development of Alex Maskey's career, from his days as a young idealist regularly arrested for his part in the confrontational street politics in the early days of the conflict, through internment and escape attempts from Long Kesh, to the lonely and intimidating "bear garden" of Belfast City Council chamber, where he was the sole Sinn Féin representative.

Journalist Barry McCaffrey reveals the intriguing story of Maskey's secret peace talks with loyalist killers, the extraordinary lengths to which the Sinn Fein Mayor went to reach out to political opponents, and the high risk break with republican tradition in honouring British war dead.

Copies of the book are available at the Art Shop, Falls Road and other good bookstores.

An Phoblacht has a number of signed copies of the Alex Maskey book to give away. Just answer this question. What year was Alex first elected to Belfast City Council? Send your answer to An Phoblacht, 535e Falls Road, Belfast.

On Saturday 15 November Maskey will be signing copies of the book at 1pm in Easons Bookshop in the Westwood Centre, Andersonstown.