Customer Reviews

El Salvador's Civil War: A Study of Revolution

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Based on more than 12.000 declassified U.S. documents, documents of the FMLN insurgents, and interviews with leading participants in the Salvadoran civil war (1980-1992), Hugh Byrne provides the reader with solid and very interesting information about the conflict that cost between 75.000 and 100.000 lives. Citing CIA cables, he displays the role of the United States in prolonging the war, but also shows how the US changed its policy in favor of a negotiated settlement when Bush replaced Reagan as president. It is also one of very few books that doesn't treat the FMLN as a unitary actor, but distinguishes between the 5 guerrilla groups and their respective origins and strategies. Having read some dozen books on the Salvadoran conflict, this book is highly recommended. The reader interested in detailed information on the role of the UN as mediator/peacemaker, however, should read other books, such as "Negotiating Peace in El Salvador" by Tricia Juhn, "Keeping the Peace" edited by Doyle/Johnstone/Orr or read the first hand account of Mr. Alvaro de Soto himself, chief UN negotiator and personal representative of the UN's Secretary General, in "Herding Cats" (1999).

A comprehensive examination of the factors leading up to the civil war, the war itself, and the negotiated peace. Byrne provides an unbiased view that concentrates on both the political and military strategies adopted by the Salvadoran government and by the FMLN. Additionally, the extent to which other actors influence the course of the war, such as the Catholic Church and the U.S. government is examined. Overall an excellent account.