Customer Reviews

The Dictator's Shadow: Life Under Augusto Pinochet

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This is a serene , well written and easy to read annalysis of a cruel period in the history of Chile. A must for those who want to learn from the mistakes of the past and to learn that repression, hate, absence of the rule of law and of political freedom are not the only possible ways to accomplish economic prosperity and stability for the nations.

Mr. Munioz has provided a detailed, interesting account of President Pinochet's rule and the concerted effort to re-establish democracy in Chile. I was particularly interested in the steps taken to pry Pinochet from power. For those of us with great fondness for Chile and her people, this was a wonderful story of how Chileans reinstated democratic rule which had so long been their birthright. Chile vencera', indeed.

Heraldo Munoz, a former leader in the left movements of Chile, provides a look at the dictator Augusto Pinochet who ruled with an iron fist in Chile throughout the 1970's and early 80's. Munoz provides what he terms as a political memoir to look at the changes surrounding the regime from those who opposed it throughout the time of Pinochet. One point that has to be appreciated from this book is that while it captures the horrors of Pinochet's time it does not go through a categorical list of atrocities as most Pinochet books do. Munoz focuses instead on what was changing in Chile and how it fit into a wider global context vis a vis communism an d the west. While clearly gloating over the fall of Pinochet and outright mocking Pinochet's defense at trial this book gives one sides account of the story and it is a side that has not been told in this much detail from one on the ground yet. For those who are starting out in this subject I would not recommend this book as it assumes a decent knowledge of Chile and does not give a balanced look at the sides. For those who have read more this is an excellent addition to the literature on the topic and a wonderful primary source for those looking into the history of Chile.

Book written by a typical left winger who details facts of life under Pinochet but also naively longs for rise of Allende without realizing that he was even more dogmatic and fanatical than Castro. This is not a definitive end-all tell-all biography, merely an attempt to reinforce widely held expatriate stereotype and without crediting Pinochet with legacy for which he is thanked for by most Chileans living in Chile.

Mr. Muñoz should thank Pinochet for providing his otherwise lackluster career a reason for existence. If not writing about Pinochet what else could he write about? How about the Left's successes in Chile or anywhere else? Pinochet is the father of the modern Chile, and the free world and Chileans today owe him enormous gratitude for his accomplishments. They are there for everyone to see. If Mr. Muñoz had fled to Eastern Europe, Cuba, or North Korea, then maybe I could digest his narrow beliefs. Unfortunately, finding refuge in Colorado is not actually a representation of a left-leaning ideology.