Books by John Maguire

Charlie J, a boy from Liverpool, is bright for his age. "Too clever for his own good," his dad would say. He is the type of child who would rather escape to his imagination or read a book than play or watch sports.Grandma Bailey encourages his cleverness, teaching him all about the history of his city. He is particularly fascinated by the local folklore about the Liver Birds.When things get difficult at school, and just when he needs it most, Charlie J is visited by a very special creature.What if the Liver Bird really did exist?The Liver Bird is a contemporary fairy tale. A full short-story collection, Urban Fairy Tales, Handle with Caution, will follow.

Using a range of current and historical sources, John Maguire contributes to the on-going debate on Ireland's participation in a European peace-keeping force, the Nice Treaty, and wider issues concerning democracy and the price of peace.