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The Pinochet File: A Declassified Dossier on Atrocity and Accountability
When first published last year on the thirtieth anniversary of the Chilean coup, Peter Kornbluh’s Pinochet File was hailed on the editorial page of the New York Times —no doubt to the aggravation of Henry Kissinger and all those who would deny the U.S. role in undermining Chilean democracy and supporting the advent of General Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship. "Thanks to Peter Kornbluh," Marc Cooper wrote, "we have the first complete, almost day-to-day and fully documented record of this sordid chapter in Cold War American history."
Peter Kornbluh led the campaign for the declassification of some 24,000 secret CIA, White House, NSC, and Defense Department records on Chile. The paperback edition includes new information and documents released since the hardcover went to press. This material is incorporated into a powerful retelling of the events that Newsweek magazine calls "a remarkable reconstruction of the secret U.S. foreign policy that transformed Chile into a dictatorship."
Peter Kornbluh led the campaign for the declassification of some 24,000 secret CIA, White House, NSC, and Defense Department records on Chile. The paperback edition includes new information and documents released since the hardcover went to press. This material is incorporated into a powerful retelling of the events that Newsweek magazine calls "a remarkable reconstruction of the secret U.S. foreign policy that transformed Chile into a dictatorship."
587 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 2, 2019
Comprehensive recounting of the crimes of Augusto Pinochet, military dictator of Chile from 1973 through 1990, and the United States' role in his regime. Kornbluh presents a damning mixture of declassified documents and analysis, demonstrating American meddling in Chilean elections dating back at least to 1961, when Kennedy decided to make the country a test case for his Alliance for Progress - which meant blocking Salvador Allende's progressive alliance and undermining Chilean democracy in the name of freedom. The utter callousness and naked criminality of American officials, from CIA chiefs Richard Helms and William Colby ("Make economy scream"), to various businessmen hoping to plunder post-coup Chile, to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon's Cold War obsessions are striking; it's impossible to read this book and doubt that American intervention was instrumental in destroying Allende's government. Not that Pinochet is without blame or agency; as Kornbluh shows, despite massive American aid he became a loose cannon, unleashing death squads against dissenters at home and enemies abroad through Operation Condor, culminating in the murder of Orlando Letelier in Washington, DC. Accounts of torture, assassination and political chicanery make for painful reading, yet demonstrate a human cost beyond figures and abstract rhetoric. As a case study of amorality in American foreign policy the book's without peer, though it's valuable as well at showing how a reckless, evil client can exceed even the worst expectations.
December 6, 2022
My wife and I lived in Chile for three years arriving just a few months before the 40th anniversary of Augusto Pinochet’s September 11, 1973, military coup in Chile. I came to know many people who had family members that were tortured, murdered or disappeared. To this day many Chileans remain somewhat ambivalent about the military coup and in most cases when asked about Pinochet and the Golpe Militar (Coup) the response is that it is "complicado".
During the Clinton Administration, the secret files of the US Government began to be released. This book describes in detail the involvement of the US Government, the illegal acts, the terrorism and torture that the US Government knew about and tolerated at best or encouraged and orchestrated at worst. Peter Kornbluh spearheaded the effort to declassify some 24,000 secret CIA, White House, National Security Council, and Defense Department records on Chile. The book is almost day–to–day and fully documented record of this sordid chapter in Cold War American history.
Reading this history just makes me mad at my government! I try and view the Chilean experience as part of the Cold War mentality of the era but ultimately it is no excuse for the carnage that the US Government perpetrated throughout Latin America. I am particularly appalled at Kissinger and Nixon. I have talked to Chileans who described the hardships leading up to and during the Coup. Prior to the Coup the Chilean economy was in shambles and it was completely manufactured and it was Nixon who famously said: "Make the Chilean economy scream." Nixon, Kissinger, and others I can only hope will pay a high price for these and other atrocities before a higher tribunal.
During the Clinton Administration, the secret files of the US Government began to be released. This book describes in detail the involvement of the US Government, the illegal acts, the terrorism and torture that the US Government knew about and tolerated at best or encouraged and orchestrated at worst. Peter Kornbluh spearheaded the effort to declassify some 24,000 secret CIA, White House, National Security Council, and Defense Department records on Chile. The book is almost day–to–day and fully documented record of this sordid chapter in Cold War American history.
Reading this history just makes me mad at my government! I try and view the Chilean experience as part of the Cold War mentality of the era but ultimately it is no excuse for the carnage that the US Government perpetrated throughout Latin America. I am particularly appalled at Kissinger and Nixon. I have talked to Chileans who described the hardships leading up to and during the Coup. Prior to the Coup the Chilean economy was in shambles and it was completely manufactured and it was Nixon who famously said: "Make the Chilean economy scream." Nixon, Kissinger, and others I can only hope will pay a high price for these and other atrocities before a higher tribunal.
May 31, 2009
In this astonishingly well-written and comprehensive book, one may find, in part, THE answer. Why did the "CIA obstruct" the declassification of various intelligence documents prior to release by the NARA. I don't know probably because the USG forty committee was attempting to "foster a military coup" and otherwise aiming to prevent, by any means necessary, the election and potential positive achievements of the first democratically elected Marxist/socialist president in the western hemisphere, Salvador Allende.
This book not only provided interesting facts especially about the corrupt actions of Nixon, Kissinger, and many others, it also inspired commitment to freedom of information and investigative research; increased interest and sympathy for/in Marx and his writing and living as well as incorporeal figures who carry/carried the Marxist legacy, i.e. Neruda, Castro, Trotsky and quite a few others I cannot think of; and finally enhanced lyrics to a song I'm writing called 'the other side of propaganda:' "Economic strangulation brought about by ethical disintegration, linked to the people's exacerbation through covert defamation for the purpose of radical inflammation..."
This book not only provided interesting facts especially about the corrupt actions of Nixon, Kissinger, and many others, it also inspired commitment to freedom of information and investigative research; increased interest and sympathy for/in Marx and his writing and living as well as incorporeal figures who carry/carried the Marxist legacy, i.e. Neruda, Castro, Trotsky and quite a few others I cannot think of; and finally enhanced lyrics to a song I'm writing called 'the other side of propaganda:' "Economic strangulation brought about by ethical disintegration, linked to the people's exacerbation through covert defamation for the purpose of radical inflammation..."
October 6, 2022
I can't recommend this enough. It's a detailed account of US history in Chilean, and really, an account of what is happening right now.
The US involvement in undermining democracy and taking lives all in the name of politics and economics is still happening. The US/Chilean history isn't unique. And the people that still deny US wrongdoing all around the world are victims of US propaganda - the same propaganda that was developed for Chilean exploits; fund right wing terrorist groups, fund corrupt media groups, cause economic shocks to a system and blame the leftists, say that leftists stole the election, murder leftists and say that leftists murdered their own to make it look like republicans did it.... This is what the US and Chile did in the 70s-90s. Does that ring a bell to what's happening in 2020s?? Stolen election? Media corruption? Economic shocks? Blame the other side?
Part of this history tells the story of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Moffitt - both of whom were killed in a terrorist attack on US soil by the Pinochet regime. Many people in the US gov did whatever they could to STOP investigations for this attack, while in the same breath saying "we need to go after international terrorists! vote for me and i'll take care of them!". They prevented investigations because they knew the US had involvement and knowledge of the attack, let alone major involvement in the Pinochet regime.
This is happening. right. fucking. now. Remember Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist that was murdered by the Saudi gov? Remember the evidence coming out about Saudi involvement in 9/11?? The US wants NOTHING to do with investigating Saudi regime atrocities, even if they have attacked us and killed journalists working with us, all because we most certainly have major involvement in their regime, just like with Chile 1970s.
If you're still denying that the US creates monsters and instability all around the world and in its own country, you need to read history.
The US involvement in undermining democracy and taking lives all in the name of politics and economics is still happening. The US/Chilean history isn't unique. And the people that still deny US wrongdoing all around the world are victims of US propaganda - the same propaganda that was developed for Chilean exploits; fund right wing terrorist groups, fund corrupt media groups, cause economic shocks to a system and blame the leftists, say that leftists stole the election, murder leftists and say that leftists murdered their own to make it look like republicans did it.... This is what the US and Chile did in the 70s-90s. Does that ring a bell to what's happening in 2020s?? Stolen election? Media corruption? Economic shocks? Blame the other side?
Part of this history tells the story of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Moffitt - both of whom were killed in a terrorist attack on US soil by the Pinochet regime. Many people in the US gov did whatever they could to STOP investigations for this attack, while in the same breath saying "we need to go after international terrorists! vote for me and i'll take care of them!". They prevented investigations because they knew the US had involvement and knowledge of the attack, let alone major involvement in the Pinochet regime.
This is happening. right. fucking. now. Remember Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist that was murdered by the Saudi gov? Remember the evidence coming out about Saudi involvement in 9/11?? The US wants NOTHING to do with investigating Saudi regime atrocities, even if they have attacked us and killed journalists working with us, all because we most certainly have major involvement in their regime, just like with Chile 1970s.
If you're still denying that the US creates monsters and instability all around the world and in its own country, you need to read history.
September 9, 2024
*Pinochet Desclasificado: Los archivos secretos de Estados Unidos sobre Chile*, escrito por Peter Kornbluh, es un exhaustivo trabajo de investigación que revela la influencia de Estados Unidos en la política chilena antes, durante y después del golpe de Estado de 1973. Publicado originalmente en 2003 y actualizado con nuevos documentos, este libro ofrece una visión detallada de la intervención estadounidense para desestabilizar al gobierno de Salvador Allende y su apoyo a la dictadura de Augusto Pinochet. Kornbluh, experto en la historia de Chile y director del Proyecto de Documentación sobre Chile en el National Security Archive, ha logrado desclasificar miles de documentos oficiales del gobierno de los Estados Unidos que revelan la magnitud de esta intervención.
La obra expone cómo el gobierno de Richard Nixon, bajo la influencia de su asesor de seguridad nacional, Henry Kissinger, decidió que el gobierno socialista de Allende representaba una amenaza inaceptable para los intereses de Estados Unidos en América Latina. A través de planes secretos coordinados por la CIA, se intentó evitar que Allende asumiera la presidencia tras ganar las elecciones de 1970. Posteriormente, una vez en el poder, el gobierno de Estados Unidos desplegó diversas tácticas para desestabilizar su administración, promoviendo finalmente el golpe militar que derrocó a Allende en septiembre de 1973.
Uno de los aspectos más importantes que Kornbluh revela es la activa participación de la CIA en el financiamiento de sectores opositores, especialmente los medios de comunicación, para crear un clima de polarización y descontento que favoreciera la intervención militar. Destaca la colaboración entre la agencia de inteligencia y Agustín Edwards, dueño del influyente diario *El Mercurio*, quien jugó un papel clave en la articulación de la oposición a Allende y en la promoción del golpe militar. A través de documentos desclasificados, Kornbluh demuestra cómo *El Mercurio* recibió fondos secretos de la CIA para apoyar la campaña mediática en contra del gobierno de la Unidad Popular.
El libro también documenta el rol que jugó Estados Unidos después del golpe, cuando la dictadura de Pinochet estableció un régimen de represión brutal contra sus opositores. Kornbluh presenta evidencia de cómo la administración de Nixon y luego la de Gerald Ford respaldaron a Pinochet, a pesar de conocer las violaciones masivas de derechos humanos que ocurrían bajo su régimen. La política de Washington estaba motivada por el interés de mantener a Chile como un aliado estratégico en la Guerra Fría, independientemente de las atrocidades que se cometían en el país.
Uno de los capítulos más impactantes de *Pinochet Desclasificado* es el que detalla la implicación de la dictadura chilena en actos de terrorismo internacional, como los asesinatos del general Carlos Prats en Buenos Aires y del exministro Orlando Letelier en Washington, D.C. Kornbluh ofrece pruebas contundentes de que estos crímenes fueron orquestados por la Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional (DINA), la policía secreta chilena, con la aprobación tácita o explícita del régimen de Pinochet. El asesinato de Letelier, que ocurrió en pleno centro de la capital estadounidense, fue un punto de inflexión en la percepción internacional sobre el carácter represivo del régimen chileno.
A lo largo de la obra, Kornbluh subraya la importancia de la transparencia y la desclasificación de documentos para entender la historia contemporánea de Chile. Los archivos desclasificados no solo arrojan luz sobre la intervención extranjera en los asuntos internos del país, sino que también son fundamentales para la búsqueda de justicia para las víctimas de la dictadura. El acceso a estos documentos ha permitido a activistas y abogados de derechos humanos construir casos legales contra los responsables de crímenes cometidos durante el régimen de Pinochet.
*Pinochet Desclasificado* es una obra esencial para quienes buscan entender la complejidad del golpe de Estado en Chile y las consecuencias de la dictadura militar. El trabajo meticuloso de Peter Kornbluh no solo ofrece un relato detallado de la intervención estadounidense en Chile, sino que también destaca la importancia de la memoria histórica y la justicia en los procesos de reconciliación nacional.
La obra expone cómo el gobierno de Richard Nixon, bajo la influencia de su asesor de seguridad nacional, Henry Kissinger, decidió que el gobierno socialista de Allende representaba una amenaza inaceptable para los intereses de Estados Unidos en América Latina. A través de planes secretos coordinados por la CIA, se intentó evitar que Allende asumiera la presidencia tras ganar las elecciones de 1970. Posteriormente, una vez en el poder, el gobierno de Estados Unidos desplegó diversas tácticas para desestabilizar su administración, promoviendo finalmente el golpe militar que derrocó a Allende en septiembre de 1973.
Uno de los aspectos más importantes que Kornbluh revela es la activa participación de la CIA en el financiamiento de sectores opositores, especialmente los medios de comunicación, para crear un clima de polarización y descontento que favoreciera la intervención militar. Destaca la colaboración entre la agencia de inteligencia y Agustín Edwards, dueño del influyente diario *El Mercurio*, quien jugó un papel clave en la articulación de la oposición a Allende y en la promoción del golpe militar. A través de documentos desclasificados, Kornbluh demuestra cómo *El Mercurio* recibió fondos secretos de la CIA para apoyar la campaña mediática en contra del gobierno de la Unidad Popular.
El libro también documenta el rol que jugó Estados Unidos después del golpe, cuando la dictadura de Pinochet estableció un régimen de represión brutal contra sus opositores. Kornbluh presenta evidencia de cómo la administración de Nixon y luego la de Gerald Ford respaldaron a Pinochet, a pesar de conocer las violaciones masivas de derechos humanos que ocurrían bajo su régimen. La política de Washington estaba motivada por el interés de mantener a Chile como un aliado estratégico en la Guerra Fría, independientemente de las atrocidades que se cometían en el país.
Uno de los capítulos más impactantes de *Pinochet Desclasificado* es el que detalla la implicación de la dictadura chilena en actos de terrorismo internacional, como los asesinatos del general Carlos Prats en Buenos Aires y del exministro Orlando Letelier en Washington, D.C. Kornbluh ofrece pruebas contundentes de que estos crímenes fueron orquestados por la Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional (DINA), la policía secreta chilena, con la aprobación tácita o explícita del régimen de Pinochet. El asesinato de Letelier, que ocurrió en pleno centro de la capital estadounidense, fue un punto de inflexión en la percepción internacional sobre el carácter represivo del régimen chileno.
A lo largo de la obra, Kornbluh subraya la importancia de la transparencia y la desclasificación de documentos para entender la historia contemporánea de Chile. Los archivos desclasificados no solo arrojan luz sobre la intervención extranjera en los asuntos internos del país, sino que también son fundamentales para la búsqueda de justicia para las víctimas de la dictadura. El acceso a estos documentos ha permitido a activistas y abogados de derechos humanos construir casos legales contra los responsables de crímenes cometidos durante el régimen de Pinochet.
*Pinochet Desclasificado* es una obra esencial para quienes buscan entender la complejidad del golpe de Estado en Chile y las consecuencias de la dictadura militar. El trabajo meticuloso de Peter Kornbluh no solo ofrece un relato detallado de la intervención estadounidense en Chile, sino que también destaca la importancia de la memoria histórica y la justicia en los procesos de reconciliación nacional.
March 9, 2025
Toda la parte previa al Golpe de Estado me pareció increíble! Tiene mucha información importante para entender la historia y cómo funcionan los juegos de poder político a nivel internacional.
Después de eso solo me pareció interesante la parte de la Operación Cóndor y el último capítulo. Todos lo otro se me hizo aburrido.
Le cambiaría el nombre al libro ya que le da mucha relevancia a Pinochet cuando trata sobre mucho más que su figura.
Después de eso solo me pareció interesante la parte de la Operación Cóndor y el último capítulo. Todos lo otro se me hizo aburrido.
Le cambiaría el nombre al libro ya que le da mucha relevancia a Pinochet cuando trata sobre mucho más que su figura.
September 5, 2025
Thank you Jake Ray for gifting me this book. I love learning about Salvador Allende, so this, as long as it was, was very enjoyable to read. Lots of sourcing and I love the inclusion of real documents
January 30, 2021
"The Pinochet File" is hands down one of the best historical investigations ever published. There are few, if any, books I have read that constitute such a powerful and relevant indictment of political atrocity.
It's not without flaws. Anyone who says the writing is gripping either hasn't read most of the book or is a history junky. The middle part drags especially, as historical reconstruction takes precedence over engagement. Most often, you'll be reading details of who wrote what document sent to whom to do what, and if, like me, all you're interested in is insight into the Pinochet regime's atrocities and US complacency, most of these details will feel like overkill.
But I don't think anybody could fault the book for that. Despite being well-written overall, the purpose is not to provide a thrilling narrative, but to reconstruct events that for decades have been occluded from view. More than just being a historical retelling, the book is the physical embodiment of historical indictment. It is the answer to what thousands of grieving victims have sought for years. These claims make sense once the book reaches its climax, the epilogue.
It's not without flaws. Anyone who says the writing is gripping either hasn't read most of the book or is a history junky. The middle part drags especially, as historical reconstruction takes precedence over engagement. Most often, you'll be reading details of who wrote what document sent to whom to do what, and if, like me, all you're interested in is insight into the Pinochet regime's atrocities and US complacency, most of these details will feel like overkill.
But I don't think anybody could fault the book for that. Despite being well-written overall, the purpose is not to provide a thrilling narrative, but to reconstruct events that for decades have been occluded from view. More than just being a historical retelling, the book is the physical embodiment of historical indictment. It is the answer to what thousands of grieving victims have sought for years. These claims make sense once the book reaches its climax, the epilogue.
November 23, 2013
This comprehensive, controversial and enlightening volume from Peter Kornbluh unveils one of history's greatest obstructions of democracy, perpetrated by an organization supposedly renowned for its democratic ideals--the United States government. The hundreds of declassified and redacted CIA, DoD, FBI, and other USG documents, and accompanying commentary, unveil the troubling covert and overt influence of the United States in installing and upholding one of the world's most notorious dictators and his regime of atrocity. What more appropriate time to consider the original 9/11 (coincidentally the date of the U.S.-supported Chilean military coup in 1973), than amidst the Snowden-leaked NSA spying revelations currently embroiling the U.S. government? See if your mistrust and skepticism recovers after this read! Also, thank your local archivist: without archivists at the National Archives/NARA, no such call to accountability would exist.
February 21, 2023
“CIA pursued a basic three-step plan: (1) identify, contact, and collect intelligence on coup-minded officers; (2) inform them that the U.S. was committed to “full support in coup” short of sending the marines; and (3) foster the creation of “a coup climate by propaganda, disinformation and terrorist activities” to provide a stimulus and pretext for the military to move.”
I had always heard about how the US has meddled in the affairs of Central and South America, and more or less shrugged it off as some sort of conspiratorial exaggeration. But, nope it’s not exaggerated at all, in fact what you’ve heard is likely underselling the facts. The US really did(/does? I would expect so) manipulate the economy and well-being of millions of South Americans. Our elected officials and our shady agencies really do turn a blind eye to human rights violations at best and tactically support them at worst.
Pinochet is responsible for the death of some 3,000 Chileans and the torture of some 30,000. And yet, I’ve had conversations with Chileans while living down here who, when I tell them I went to a museum to memorialize the victims, they tell me to remember that there’s “two sides to every story”. Yeah, sure. That “other side” of the story sucks ass.
I had always heard about how the US has meddled in the affairs of Central and South America, and more or less shrugged it off as some sort of conspiratorial exaggeration. But, nope it’s not exaggerated at all, in fact what you’ve heard is likely underselling the facts. The US really did(/does? I would expect so) manipulate the economy and well-being of millions of South Americans. Our elected officials and our shady agencies really do turn a blind eye to human rights violations at best and tactically support them at worst.
Pinochet is responsible for the death of some 3,000 Chileans and the torture of some 30,000. And yet, I’ve had conversations with Chileans while living down here who, when I tell them I went to a museum to memorialize the victims, they tell me to remember that there’s “two sides to every story”. Yeah, sure. That “other side” of the story sucks ass.
January 17, 2022
I lived in Chile for two years as a missionary for the LDS church. On multiple occasions, I would hear Chileans whispering around me, “CIA, look they are CIA”. I thought this was a joke at first, until my companion informed me that it wasn’t a joke to them. That many Chileans were wary of Americans because the CIA had helped over throw their democratic process and keep Augusto Pinochet in power. I heard first hand accounts of individuals telling me about how their neighbors had disappeared. I did a research project on Boris Weisfeiler, and I took a class on Chilean history, which I found less than helpful when it came to the topic of the US involvement in Chile. This book really tied together all of this different pieces of information which I’ve picked up during my time in school and in Santiago. This book illustrates that we need more transparency from the intelligence organizations. Hopefully, these agencies learn from their erroneous decisions and makes better decision about other countries in the future.
June 27, 2025
This is a fully comprehensive timeline of the CIA’s involvement in overthrowing Allende as the democratically elected leader of Chile. American history focuses on Vietnam when discussing the US’s attempts in stopping the spread of communism, but the damage they did to Chile’s economy, politics, and its people should not be forgotten.
This is an eye opening book that every American should read to understand how our government causes suffering in so many parts of the world and is at the root cause of many unnecessary conflicts and destabilizing democracies.
The book equally focuses on the years leading to the military coup, as it does on the Pinochet years post the coup. If your are interested in only Pinochet’s time as dictator, the first half of the book will probably not interest you.
This is an eye opening book that every American should read to understand how our government causes suffering in so many parts of the world and is at the root cause of many unnecessary conflicts and destabilizing democracies.
The book equally focuses on the years leading to the military coup, as it does on the Pinochet years post the coup. If your are interested in only Pinochet’s time as dictator, the first half of the book will probably not interest you.
October 11, 2017
While I knew that the US worked to bring down Chilean president Allende in the early 1970s (he'd committed the unpardonable crime of getting elected while socialist) and supported the Pinochet dictatorship that followed, the details still make horrifying reading. Despite Pinochet's brutal repression of dissenters, leftists and rivals among his own people, his anticommunism washed away all sins as far as the US government was concerned; even when the regime murdered US citizens in Chile or took out a Chilean anti-regime activist in DC, the government still wanted him to be our buddy. Depressing and sobering.
August 6, 2022
The book is extremely comprehensive. That’s great in terms of high quality information and a clear picture, but it also means there are some times where it feels tedious. Overall the author does a great job of selecting the right amount of information to give. This is a very important read for US history, but also for the world.
From reading this I know I need to now read up on Kissinger as well as the Church Committee.
From reading this I know I need to now read up on Kissinger as well as the Church Committee.
September 30, 2018
This was a very well-written, detailed account of the atrocities committed in Chile and how the U.S. influenced and actively changed the course of history in this country--all in the name of supposed anti-communism. Our role in ousting a democratically-elected president will forever be a stain among many others of our supposed desire to spread freedom and democracy in the world.
May 2, 2021
I didn't know much about the subject before starting the book and it was very well presented - a huge number of details but all laid out in such an order that nothing gets lost due to unnecessary complicated storytelling.
February 4, 2022
A window to the consequences of a US foreign policy that installed a Nationalist Dictator in Chile and the pain and suffering caused to thousands of Chilean citizens. A cover up of Kissinger’s failures. Parallels to US politics currently inaction over the past few years is truly scary.
September 23, 2024
Would like to make it clear that i did not read this cover to cover. i must return it to the library now. i do think its an amazing collection of documents with great commentary/ summary and its EXTREMELY eye opening in terms of what intelligence agencies are able to accomplish.
December 14, 2025
intenso, de multiples complejidades, documentado y profundamente serio y profesional. Creo que todo chileno debiese leerlo, independiente de su pensamiento politico. una leccion de realidad, que permite conocer de mejor manera nuestro pasado, entender el.presente y poder cuidar.nuestro futuro
January 29, 2019
A must-read for every American, unfortunately. A history of US support and involvement in the Chilean coup of 1973, with receipts.
September 3, 2019
Boring
December 14, 2022
This is probably my favorite book of all time--definitely at least my favorite nonfiction/history book.
November 8, 2023
Sin duda un aporte veraz y objetivo para una época terrible de nuestro país.
December 5, 2024
I read this book in my early 20s and it really changed my perspective about politics and how the world works.
December 28, 2024
Buen libro. Todo respaldado, y nada al azar. Es parte de la historia no contada..recomendado 100 por ciento.
April 29, 2025
Peter Kornbluh padre, falta que más gente lea este libro independiente de su tendencia política
May 27, 2025
Un libro de gran interés para quienes buscan entender los procesos polícito militares de américa y la fuerte influencia de USA en ellos
September 15, 2013
September 11th not only resonates for Americans. On September 11, 1973 the presidential palace in Santiago, Chile was bombed killing the democratically elected president, Salvador Allende. An attack conducted by the Chilean armed forces led by Augusto Pinochet.
But The Pinochet Files is not so much a history of Allende or Pinochet. It’s a U.S. history book. It’s a history of U.S. involvement in inciting, enabling and ultimately supporting the brutal military junta which replaced a democratically elected president. It’s a story of the CIA’s involvement and America’s realpolitik justification. It’s another chapter in the duplicitous history of U.S. foreign affairs which undermines our repeated empty rhetoric of moral action. It’s another reason why we earned the world’s contempt.
The full extent of CIA involvement is still debated which, since it’s an organization defined by obfuscation, must make it a difficult opponent. However, Kornbluh does an admirable job sifting through declassified, though redacted, documents to support his claims. Dozens of pages after each chapter shows his photocopied original sources. It makes for compelling arguments and distressing truths.
But The Pinochet Files is not so much a history of Allende or Pinochet. It’s a U.S. history book. It’s a history of U.S. involvement in inciting, enabling and ultimately supporting the brutal military junta which replaced a democratically elected president. It’s a story of the CIA’s involvement and America’s realpolitik justification. It’s another chapter in the duplicitous history of U.S. foreign affairs which undermines our repeated empty rhetoric of moral action. It’s another reason why we earned the world’s contempt.
The full extent of CIA involvement is still debated which, since it’s an organization defined by obfuscation, must make it a difficult opponent. However, Kornbluh does an admirable job sifting through declassified, though redacted, documents to support his claims. Dozens of pages after each chapter shows his photocopied original sources. It makes for compelling arguments and distressing truths.
July 7, 2011
As I read this book, I kept thinking that it was both frightening and fascinating. Kornbluh does a fantastic job of sifting through thousands of documents to present a complex story that spans decades and dozens of characters from a variety of political persuasions in the US and Chile. Not an easy read, but I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in US-Chilean relations or US-Latin American relations in general. Above all, to me it demonstrated the power and importance, as well as the limitations, of open government/records. The inclusion of primary source documents, including many in redacted form, is a nice touch and gives extra weight to the narrative.
September 28, 2021
Kornbluh exposes the US role in the Chilean coup that places Pinochet in power. Mostly focuses on the primary source documents, which are inconveniently all located at the end of the chapter. His analysis mostly deals with high-ranking US officials and only briefly discusses the scene on the ground in Chile. Paired with la Batalla de Chile, The Battle of Chile, a 1975 documentary filmed by Patricio Guzmán.
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