The history of The Troubles is full of big important dominating characters: Ian Paisley, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuiness, John Hume. The bespectacled, rather cerebral journalist Peter Taylor should be up there too. Arriving in the wake of Bloody Sunday, his TV reports, documentaries and books provide some of the most accessible and comprehensive explanations of what happened and why. Operation Chiffon - probably Taylor's last on Northern Ireland - represents a rounding out of the story. The tying up of loose ends, but also Taylor's acknowledgement of the role of people who, although their names are less well-known, nevertheless made an outsized contribution to paving the way for peace. Chief among these is Brendan Duddy, the sociable Derry businessman who formed the 'link' between the British Government and the IRA over decades. It's no surprise that Taylor would eventually identify and get to know Mr Duddy. Also that they would become firm friends. So there is an undeniable personal element to Taylor setting the record straight and giving full credit to the important - and dangerous - role that Mr Duddy played over many years. In addition to Brendan Duddy are the spooks: Frank Steele, Michael Oatley and the still shadowy 'Robert'. They make up a cast of sensible, intelligent, capable people working with the best of intentions to try to resolve the conflict. As ever, Peter Taylor's writing is clear, concise and highly readable. Even though many aspects of the story are well known, the book has the unmistakeable stamp of something written by someone who was actually there and who knew and spoke to the people involved. That gives it a unique authority and gravitas. Well worth reading.