The CIA in Guatemala: The Foreign Policy of Intervention

by Richard H. Immerman

Using documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, recently opened archival collections, and interviews with the actual participants, Immerman provides us with a definitive, powerfully written, and tension-packed account of the United States' clandestine operations in Guatemala and their consequences in Latin America today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Latin American History, American History, War, Political Science

302 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Richard H. Immerman is Marvin Wachman Director Emeritus at the Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy at Temple University.

Reviews

[Thomas Ray]

Library-of-Congress E183.8 G9 I45 1982
Memorial Library; College Library rm. 1191.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely thorough analysis of the CIA-backed overthrow of the Arbenz government in 1954.

The strength of the this account is in the exhaustive detail and the balanced academic approach. If you are looking for a light pop-history read, this certainly isn't it.

But the amount of archival material, interviews and academic analysis referenced in this work is substantial. For this reason, it ought to be considered the definitive account of one of the most important events in Latin American history.

The only missing piece is this: originally published in 1982, this account could not include the most serious consequences of the CIA-backed coup - the Guatemalan civil war and genocide of the 1980's and 1990's, which continues to reverberate in Guatemala today (to say the very least).

But if there is anyone who doubts whether the United States has some of that blood on their hands, this book is a must-read. While Immerman is careful to frame American attitudes and actions in the proper Cold War context, it remains a damning indictment of a failed foreign policy of direct intervention.

[Millie Nevelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

for class but good analysis i think tho

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched and documented account of the 1954 overthrow of the Arbenz government, this book is a damning indictment of the US foreign policy during the Cold War in regards to its Latin American neighbours. The interference and intervention in Guatemala's internal struggle for agrarian and social reform undoubtedly led to the horrific events of the 80's and 90's.

An excellent read.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really depressing but extremely thorough and interesting!

[Justino]

a fact-filled disappointment: this is a useful book. it is very well researched, extraordinarily documented and tells you essentially anything you need to know about the cia's plot to overthrow the arbenz government in guatemala. unfortunately, the writing is so turgid and dull it's difficult not to nod off in the middle of a particularly gritty section of history. i applaud immerman's effort and the completeness of his overall work, but he really should have taken on a jounrnalist to help him get through the rough spots and make the book actually readable.

[Lillian]

An eye-opening account of how U.S. Cold War foreign policy was sometimes implemented.