I grimly stuck to this for a while out of a sense of duty, but... nope, I'm bailing.
The thing is, if you already know the topic, it's probably fine. I don't know the topic, that's why I'm reading the darn book, and I need some definitions and context. The book doesn't offer that, and is furthermore completely bone dry in tone and style.
If anyone's got a good rec for understanding partition in Ireland, the Troubles, etc, let me know...