Nicaragua 1961-1990 - Volume 1, Latin America@War No 10, Helion

NICARAGUA 1961-1990 - VOLUME 1: The Downfall of the Somoza Dictatorship

In the wake of the US invasion of Nicaragua in 1912, the country came under the rule of the Somoza family, which imposed a brutal and corrupt military dictatorship. A low-scale insurgency of students, supported by peasants and other anti-Somoza elements of the society developed already in the 1960s. By the 1970s, the country became embroiled in a brutal insurgency. Supported by Cuba, a coalition of students, farmers, businessmen, clergy and a small group of Marxist launched a major war in 1978, which resulted in the downfall of the Somozas, a year later. The Sandinista government established in Managua of 1979 found the country ruined by the long war and natural disasters, and nearly half of the population either homeless or living in exile. Attempting to restructure and recover the underdeveloped economy, Sandinisas introduced a wide range of reforms and a cultural revolution. Considering the Sandinistas for ‘Cuban-supported Marxists’ and therefore a major threat for the US domination of Latin America, in 1980-1981 the USA began supporting the creation of the Contrarevolutionary forces (better known as ‘Contras’), and thus helped provoke a new war that was to rage through Nicaragua for most of that decade, and is going to be covered in Volume 2 of this mini-series. Leaning upon extensive studies of involved armed groups, and their insurgencies in the 1960s and 1970s, ‘Nicaragua, 1961-1990, Volume 1’ is providing an in-depth coverage of military history during the first phase of one of major armed conflicts of Latin America in modern times. Guiding the reader meticulously through the details of involved forces, their ideologies, organisation and equipment, this book is offering a uniquely accurate, blow-by-blow account of the Nicaraguan War and profusely illustrated with more than 120 photos, maps, and colour artworks.

Reviews:

"The history covered in this volume, from 1961 to 1979, provides an amazing recital of a multitude of squabbling guerilla groups that came and went even without government action and repression." The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"In all, it is a superbly researched and well written book. There are a considerable number of photos from that time and that all adds up to a book that those with an interest in the region should have on their shelves." ModellingMadness.com

"A lavishly photo-illustrated and detailed chronological account of the Somoza military dictatorship in Nicaragua and its overthrow in 1979 by the Sandinista insurgents...In addition to the black and white and colour photos, the book includes illustrations of the military forces and equipment used in the conflict, including fighter aircraft, armor, and battlefield maps." Perspectives on Terrorism

Author: David Francois

Publisher: Helion & Company

Description: 72 pages, Paperback, Format A4, 96 b/w photos, 12 colour profiles, 1 b/w map & 2 colour maps, 4 tables.

Condition: NEW COPY.

Shipping weight: 0.46 Kg.