Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1110308 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Among recent books on U.S. policy in Nicaragua, this one stands out for its combination of fact, historical analysis and open disgust over American arrogance. Sklar ( Trilateralism ) maintains that fear of "another Cuba" is an illusion fostered by the Reagan administration's propaganda-lobbying effort and argues that "another Vietnam" is a more likely parallel. She warns that a Central American invasion will remain a prospect even after Reagan leaves office. Both liberals and conservatives claim the unilateral, self-ordained right of the United States to define Latin American destiny by interference, the author contends, finding this attitude nowhere more blatant than in U.S. policy toward Nicaragua. Sklar advocates ending all efforts to manipulate, destabilize or overthrow the Sandinistas, and the payment of reparations, the signing of a nonaggression pact between Washington and Managua, and cancelation of all U.S. military maneuvers in the region.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
This is a severe critique of the basis for U.S. foreign policy in Latin America in general, and Nicaragua specifically, which fully documents the underlying assumptions and actions of the Carter and Reagan administrations toward that country. The author contends that the United States has pursued an interventionist policy, and that instead of debating how much we should involve ourselves, politicians need to examine the antidemocratic and immoral assumptions of U.S. policy. Sklar makes an excellent case, which surely will call up the old question: If other countries don't pursue such morally consistent policies, why should we? Recommended for most libraries. Roderic A. Camp, Central Coll., Pella, Ia.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Washington's War on Nicaragua is a thorough investigation into the contemporary involvement of the American government's attempt to disrupt-overtly and covertly-the Nicaraguan revolution and destabilize the Sandinista government. Following a brief historical outline of United States military intervention into Nicaragua, the background to this government's current policy is set out with a description of the Carter administration's role during the period in which the opposition to the Somoza family rule was developing. Synthesized from a number of published sources and gleaned from interviews are the intricacies of intelligence operations and diplomatic efforts first to moderate Somoza's domestic policies and then to combat the leftist elements in the country that succeeded in deposing Somoza and running the country. The arguments and evidence presented, while not specifically stated, are put forth in a manner whose purpose is to indict the American foreign policy toward Nicaragua and Central America. The materials are geared to appeal to the readers' emotions. Thus, there is a wealth of information but little analysis, and the framework is not especially clear except for the obvious intent of the author. All the vignettes tend to cast either an evil light on American governmental intentions or at least a strong sense of incompetence, especially when a covert action fails and comes to public light. Overall, this is one of the better studies on the United States involvement in the undercover war with Nicaragua. It is strongly recommended to a wide audience ranging from the general reader and the public library to the specialist in an academic setting. -- From Independent Publisher

Customer Reviews

The truth about this undeclared war.
I read this book in the early 1990's. There was considerable interest in the subject back then. There were numerous other books about the U.S. war on Nicaragua at the time. I believe that this book will endure as the best book about that era. Ms. Sklar paints the picture, entirely documented with exacting precision of the U.S. undeclared war against this tiny state, population of 3.5 million. The U.S started it and maintained it. How many Americans know that the World Court in the Hague found the U.S. guilty of war crimes in Nicaragua in 11/84. What was the U.S. response-we walked out of the World Court, rather than obey it's verdict. Read about it in this book-p.170. Only three countries ever walked out of the world court in it's entire history, Iran,Iceland and Albania. I don't know about Iceland but the other two put us in pretty undistinguished company. In this latter day, when Iconization of Ronald Reagan is the mode people should read this book to see just how obsessive the man was on the subject of Nicaragua and the Contras. Ms. Sklar shows how illegal and ruthless that obsession was.

Dangerous to remember...
The war against Nicaragua is staring into the same memory hole that other unpleasant chapters of American history get dropped into by politicians, much of the media, and ultimately the people.

Way, way back in the 80s, the US launched an illegal war OF terror against the mighty Central American empire of Nicaragua, which was threatening to destroy the United States and our very way of life. So evil was this nation, so dangerous, that they had to be crushed, to the point that it's easily one of the most dirt-poor nations in the hemisphere. Starting up their own Reich, eliciting the support of the Evil Empire (since no one else would help), Nicaragua is a classic example of what happens when puppets no longer follow orders and want to go off on their own.

Holly Sklar has written an in-depth, meticulously researched book that betrays little bias, since the well-known and easily verifiable facts speak for themselves. The story is very ugly, indeed. So egregious was the US that we were condemned by the World Court for 'unlawful use of force', a nice euphamism for, well, aggression, terrorism, etc. After hearing this unacceptable verdict, the US responded by walking out of the World Court, and escalating the war. The contempt for international law continues unabated.

The book is very detailed, and well-indexed. You can focus on certain chapters without losing the overall story, and indeed many Americans will recall all the hoopla, nicely spun by the media then and now. Of course, some of the very players are still on the scene today, with Oliver North now a respectable Fox News employee, and John Negroponte displaying his characteristic dedication to the Third World in his new role in Iraq.

Highly recommended reading for any American, this book will not be found next to your latest fashionable pundit's 'book'. It does, however, give an insight into how world powers behave, then and certainly now.