In the pages of this book, Francis Costello allows Michael Collins to speak in his own words. He traces Collins's career from his school days to his tragic death at the age of 31, through a series of edited extracts from Collins's writings, speeches, letters and memoranda. Using a chronological narrative, Costello provides linking text to set the context for each extract from Collins. He draws his material from sources as diverse as printed books, the Collins papers in the National Library of Ireland, the Military History Bureau of the Department of Defence, Dail Reports, contemporary newspaper accounts and the private papers of many who came into contact with Collins. The Michael Collins revealed in these pages is a complex, multi-faced man: politician; head of intelligence; Minister for Finance; friend and lover. Getting behind the myth, this book shows us the real Collins - in his own words.