The Green Hell: A Concise History of the Chaco War Between Bolivia and Paraguay 1932-35 (Spellmount Military Studies) [Paperback]

Adrian J. English (Author)

Book Description

Series: Spellmount Military Studies | Publication Date: October 1, 2008

Second in the Spellmount Military Studies series is one of few works in English on this largely forgotten war. It reveals the unconventional tactics that allowed the poorly equipped Paraguayans to overcome Bolivia’s European-style standing army, which fought with tanks and bomber planes. The conflict embodied the changes that would take place in 20th-century warfare and hastened the demise of the League of Nations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew Hilton is a Chartered Surveyor who travels extensively, especially within Africa, in connection with his work with international economic development programmes. He is a graduate of Birkbeck College, London, in Field Archaeology, and has a keen interest in military and oral history. He has been researching this remarkable story for the past decade.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: The History Press; aFirst Edition First Printing edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862274452
• ISBN-13: 978-1862274457
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,379,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > History > Americas > South America > Paraguay
  • #100 in Books > History > Americas > South America > Bolivia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The "Bland" Green Hell, October 14, 2010

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Nestor - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Green Hell: A Concise History of the Chaco War Between Bolivia and Paraguay 1932-35 (Spellmount Military Studies) (Paperback)

What an interesting subject and what a bland book. The well designed cover and the great photos created excitement to read a good history of this little known, but important part of history. It's just that the writer did not know how to write it. The chapters concerning the actual conflict are simply filled with units types, numbers and movements. It is like reading an unending telegram. There is barely any meat to the subject and literally no fat. What a disappointment!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointingly One-Sided, August 9, 2010

By 

William Reynolds - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Green Hell: A Concise History of the Chaco War Between Bolivia and Paraguay 1932-35 (Spellmount Military Studies) (Paperback)

I have lived in the region, and also read the many books on the Bolivian and Paraguayan side. I met with some of the veterans and listened to their stories, so I had high hopes for this book.
It became obvious that most of the story came from the Paraguayan side...the names of the places in Bolivia had the Paraguayan Guarani spelling in them, from the start to the finish. The coverage of the Air War was also disappointing...the Bolivian Air Force mounted a much bigger campaign and had the only "ace" of the war, yet his only mention is when he was shot down, other than that, it is all about Paraguay's Air Force.
The book could have done with more than the original hand written maps given to the author...I could follow it because I have been to the region, but anybody else would not have a clue what the movements meant nor the significance of it.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very in depth military-diplomatic study., January 2, 2010

By 

History Major (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Green Hell: A Concise History of the Chaco War Between Bolivia and Paraguay 1932-35 (Spellmount Military Studies) (Paperback)

This book is not a broad general study of the Chaco War. Rather it is a detailed two pronged study. The first is an analysis of the diplomacy leading up to and continuing during the war. Particularly, the war's impact on the League of Nations. The second prong is a very detailed tactical analysis of the war. This portion of the book will only appeal to those readers with a strong interest in how battles are fought. Therefore, I strongly recommend this book to only serious students of military history, war gamers and or anyone with a deep interest in the diplomacy of the inter-war period.