The Tupamaro guerrillas

by María Esther Gilio, Anne Edmondson (Translator)

English, Spanish (translation)

Genres: Nonfiction

204 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[E Money The Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is a collection of interviews organized by subject. First let me say that Maria is an amazing journalist. Top notch. Shes asks wonderful questions and followups and really tries to understand the situation as clearly as possible. Great translation too and Anne adds some extra context of events that occurred between the original publication and its English translation at the end.

Of course it seems this book got Maria kicked out of Uruguay for some years after this text was published. How dare she tell the other side to the story?

Anyways idk what to say other than fantastic, inspiring, gripping. Also congratulations on another recent electoral victory to the Broad Front!

**another thought: like so often, the US-backed regime seems far more willing to engage in the worst crimes against humanity possible. Sure the Guerrillas kidnapped people for political leverage, usually to try to trade with kidnapped (“arrested”) members. But the people in their care were always treated well (by their own accounts!). Meanwhile the US-backed dictatorship engaged in lots of torture. Often against civilians who just got caught up in repressive sweeps.

Reminds me of a current “conflict” where kidnapping “victims” have been returned well and would shake hands with their captors (this is documented in video) while the other side is documented as R**EING people to DEATH in concentration camps. Who are the bad guys again?

One difference, I guess, is that the Uruguay dictatorship didn’t have a policy to murder its own citizens if they were going to be captured… or bomb them after they are captured.

[Carmilla Voiez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was published in 1973, so it is dated, but it's a fascinating and powerful account of a turbulent time in Uruguay. Composed from interviews with workers, farmers and students, we get a background picture of the extreme poverty and repression the previously prosperous country endures. This is followed up with interviews from witnesses and activists involved in the taking of Pando, and concluded with interviews that detail the torture and finally the escape of the guerrillas. From a historical and a political activism stance this is a useful text, and invaluable research material for the dystopian book I am currently writing.

[Ian Chinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is really interesting to reading a book about the Tupamaros written during their highest point and before their organization was brutally repressed.

It starts off a little slow with descriptors of social and economic decay, but then includes a number of interviews with Tupamaros including the most detailed description of the operation in Pando that I have ever read. It is really intense and interesting and also gives you a very in depth array of experiences with the police/army and torture.

[Guillaume · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good historical record. However, the interview format of the book makes for tedious reading and overwhelming repetition.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a different idea of what this book was going to be. Nonetheless, I read it figuring that I could learn something. Instead, I experienced one of the worst translations I have ever read. I learned nothing about the Tupamaros but instead was subjected to numerous redundant and pointless interviews. I could have said in one comprehensive paper what she said in 200 pages.