FATHER AND SON
by Peter Maas
Simon & Schuster; 316 pages; $18.95
The Guinness Book of World Records does not have to look further than the sponsor's backyard to find a candidate for the oldest struggle for independence. One character in Peter Maas' richly layered novel of Paddys and Provos says the Irish have been going at it since the 12th century. Tragedies tend to turn into romances over that length of time. Rough madness is temporized by art.
Or at least good craft. Maas, who has skillfully dovetailed law-and-disorder in best sellers like Serpico and The Valachi Papers, proves adept...