David McKittrick, Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney

David McKittrick, Seamus Kelters, and Brian Feeney are journalists and authors who collaborated on documenting the human cost of the Northern Ireland conflict. McKittrick worked as a correspondent for The Independent and other publications, covering Irish affairs for decades. Kelters served as a journalist and researcher specializing in Irish political history. Feeney contributed expertise as a historian and political commentator on Northern Irish affairs. The three authors combined their knowledge to create comprehensive records of the Troubles period. Their collaborative work focuses on individual stories rather than political analysis. The authors approached their subject through extensive research and interviews with families affected by the conflict. They compiled detailed accounts of each death during the Troubles, creating what amounts to a historical record of the human casualties. Their work represents one of the most complete documentations of fatalities during this period in Irish history.

Readers praise "Lost Lives" for its thorough documentation and respectful treatment of victims from all sides of the conflict. Many reviewers describe the book as an important historical record that humanizes the statistics of the Troubles. Readers appreciate the authors' neutral approach, noting they avoided taking political sides while presenting each death with equal dignity. The comprehensive nature of the research receives frequent mention in reviews. Readers value the inclusion of personal details about victims, which one reviewer called "heart-wrenching but necessary." Many note the book serves as both a memorial and a historical document. Some readers find the catalog format emotionally difficult to read, describing it as overwhelming due to the sheer number of deaths documented. A few reviewers mention the book's length and density make it challenging to read in extended sessions. Critics note that while comprehensive, the format can feel repetitive. Some readers wanted more context about specific incidents beyond the basic facts presented.