The Paraguayan War, Volume 1: Causes and Early Conduct (Studies in War, Society, and the Militar) [Hardcover]

Thomas L. Whigham (Author)

Book Description

Series: Studies in War, Society, and the Militar | Publication Date: July 1, 2002

The Paraguayan War (1864–70) was the deadliest and most extensive interstate war ever fought in Latin America. The conflict involving Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil killed hundreds of thousands of people and had dire consequences for the Paraguayan dictator Francisco Solano López and his nation. Though the Paraguayan War stirs the same emotions in South Americans as does the Civil War in the United States, there have been few significant investigations of the war available in English.

In this first of two volumes, Thomas L. Whigham provides an engrossing and comprehensive account of the war's origins and early campaigns, and he guides the reader through the complexities of South American nationalism, military development, and political intrigue. Whigham portrays the conflict as bloody and inexcusable, though it paved the way for more modern societies in the continent. The Paraguayan War fills an important gap in our understanding of Latin American history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Whigham deserves praise for his exhaustive archival research in several countries, lucid prose, and constant concern that readers understand the context of his narrative analysis. . . . The University of Nebraska Press, long committed to publishing important works in Latin American studies, should be commended for taking on this project and producing such a handsome, hardbound volume."-Choice (Choice )

"Whigham''s contribution is a detailed narrative that reveals a Lopez whose strategic and geopolitical instincts were sound but whose arrogance undercut his ability to lead. The description of the geographic setting and the vivid thumbnail sketches of many of the officers further elevate the account beyond that of one man''s blindness. The reader understands the full history of a tragic war, lengthened because of incompetence and errors on all sides."-Judith Ewell, Journal of Military History (Judith Ewell Journal of Military History )

"The longest and fullest ever written, destined to remain a standard text for decades. The author displays great command of his multiple sources."-David Rock, The Historian (David Rock The Historian )

"Whigham has produced a magnificent book. . . . A powerful and lucid narrative of the war''s developments, with all its complexities: its military manoeuvres, internal politics and diplomatic exchanges, and its horrors and cruelties on the battlefield."-Eduardo Posada-Carbo, The International History Review (Eduardo Posada-Carbo The International History Review )

"Thomas Whigham's new history is greatly to be welcomed."-Charles J. Esdaile, Hispanic American Historical Review (Charles J. Esdaile Hispanic American Historical Review )

"It is rare to come across a work of traditional diplomatic history among new books appearing on Latin American history. It is also most unusual to find that the same study will be spread out over tow volumes. The Paraguayan War is certainly a fitting topic for such extensive and in-depth treatment. Professor Whigham's first volume explores the causes and recounts in detail the early part of the conflict up to New Years Day 1866."-Joseph Smith, Journal of Latin American Studies (Joseph Smith Journal of Latin American Studies )

"A well-written traditional history based on extensive research. . . . Those interested in a military history of the Paraguayan War and gaining insight into the personality of Francisco Solano L�pez, will find Whigham a good storyteller."-Americas (Americas )

About the Author

Thomas L. Whigham is a professor of history at the University of Georgia. He is the author of The Politics of River Trade: Tradition and Development in the Upper Plata, 1780–1870.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 520 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press; First Edition edition (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803247869
• ISBN-13: 978-0803247864
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,534,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > History > Americas > South America > Paraguay

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on S. America's bloodiest war, December 11, 2002

By 

"albertce" (Clearfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paraguayan War, Volume 1: Causes and Early Conduct (Studies in War, Society, and the Militar) (Hardcover)

One of Latin America's bloodiest wars is the subject of this book. For most, the war is either obscure or unknown, which makes it a great buy for those who like to read about little known wars. As a student of South American history, I found the book very detailed in covering the early history of the region and the events that lead to the conflict. And, his coverage of the early military campaigns is excellent. I've read Kolinski's "Independence or Death", which is good for starters, but Whigham's book answered all the questions I had after reading Kolinski's work. The author's chapters on the Mato Grasso Campaign and the Battle of Riachuelo were of particular interest to me. As with the previous reviewer an appendix with orders-of-battle would be nice,and that is my only complaint. The maps help for those not familiar with the area. I highly recommend this book for those either interested in a little known war or for those who want the best English language book on the subject. I anxiously await volume 2.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Undeservedly obscure, April 11, 2005

By 

J. Tuohy (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Paraguayan War, Volume 1: Causes and Early Conduct (Studies in War, Society, and the Militar) (Hardcover)

The Paraguayan War (sometimes called the War of the Triple Alliance or the Lopez War)frequently appears as a line or two at most in military histories and is immediately dismissed as not worthy of note. Thom Wigham has rightly rescued this facinating and tragic story and given it its rightful place among the great wars of the 19th century. The story is placed in context with a thorough exploration of the politics of the Plata in the decades leading up to the war; politics which can be most generously be described as "byzantine". The early conduct of the war is also both described and dispassionatly analyzed.

I do wish there were more and better maps. Also as a hard-core military buff it would be nice to have more notes on uniforms, equipment and orders of battle (as an appendix, of course).

My other wish is for Dr. Whigham to finish the next volume, which I understand will be in a couple of years. Until then I will have to satisfy myself with "I die with my country".

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening study on a rather obscure subject, December 3, 2002

By 

Olivier Clementin (Paris France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paraguayan War, Volume 1: Causes and Early Conduct (Studies in War, Society, and the Militar) (Hardcover)

This history of the Paraguayan War is probably the only one available in English, and it reads very well. It starts with an in-depth analysis of the political background starting with the Spanish/Portuguese colonization and how it led to the formation of the different South American nations, which I found very interesting. The author obviously knows the history of the area very well and has conducted research in all involved countries. This volume ends on December 31, 1865, with the withdrawal of the Paraguayans from Argentinian territory.

Be aware that this book is not a military history: I found the military study a bit disappointing, and it was difficult to keep track of the size of the armies and navies involved. There is not much on armament, tactics, organization or equipment. It would have been nice to have an Order of Battle for the Paraguayan and Brazilian armies in particular. I understand from the author that this could appear in the second volume (to be published in a few years).