My Life In Pieces-Writers, Rogues, The Road and The Rock

Ireland, where Clancy became a professional writer, plays a significant role in this collection of journalism spanning four decades. Clancy has the eye. He froze a moment that captured The Troubles. This was a long time ago in Belfast. He watched a young boy, half a brick clutched in his hand, edge out of an alley, then pitch it through the window of the buffet car of a passing train.

He is a splendid travel writer, from Florence to the Finger Lakes, but never better than when he is in Irela...