Say Nothing by Patrick Keefe Summary
Overview of Say Nothing
In "Say Nothing," Patrick Radden Keefe unravels Northern Ireland's darkest chapter through a haunting murder investigation. This National Book Award finalist - soon a Disney series despite victims' families' protests - exposes how political violence transforms ordinary people into revolutionaries. What terrible secrets still hide behind Belfast's Peace Wall?
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Key takeaways
The Disappeared: When History Swallows People Whole
In December 1972, Jean McConville was taking a bath in her Belfast apartment when masked intruders burst through her door. The 38-year-old widow, raising ten children alone since her husband's death from cancer, was ordered to put on her coat. As her terrified children clung to her legs, sixteen-year-old Archie tried to accompany his mother but was stopped at gunpoint. Through concrete wall openings, he watched helplessly as she was bundled into a blue Volkswagen van. Her last words - "Watch the children until I come back" - would haunt him for decades. Jean McConville never returned home, becoming one of the "disappeared" - people abducted, killed, and secretly buried by the IRA during Northern Ireland's Troubles. The trauma rippled outward: her children were separated into various institutions where some endured systematic abuse. Most shocking was the near-complete lack of police investigation, as if Jean had simply ceased to exist.
Revolutionary Sisters and the Path to Violence
Bodies as Weapons: The Price Sisters' Resistance
The Search for Truth and Bodies
The Boston Tapes: When History Becomes Evidence
Living with Ghosts: The Aftermath of Violence
The Unfinished Business of Peace
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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