"On 22 August 1922, Michael Collins was shot dead by the anti-Treaty IRA in an ambush at Béalnabláth, in his home county of Cork. His death ended all hope for a quick end to the [civil war] and cut short the life of one of Ireland's most charismatic leaders. [This book] sheds new light on Collins' role in the critical period of the run-up to the [civil war]. While carrying out his ministerial duties and negotiations with the British, he was secretly supporting the IRA's campaign to destabilise Northern Ireland through kidnappings and assassinations, and attempting to reconcile the anti-Treaty IRA with the new Provisional government and the terms of the Treaty. However, this last proved to be too great a challenge, even for a man of Collins' stature, and on 28 June [1922] the first shots in the [civil war] were fired. ... "--Back cover.