The Shining Path: A History of the Millenarian War in Peru(Latin America in Translation)

First published in Peru in 1990, The Shining Path was immediately hailed as one of the finest works on the insurgency that plagued that nation for over fifteen years. A richly detailed and absorbing account, it covers the dramatic years between the guerrillas' opening attack in 1980 and President Fernando Belaunde's reluctant decision to send in the military to contain the growing rebellion in late 1982. Covering the strategy, actions, successes, and setbacks of both the government and the rebels, the book shows how the tightly organized insurgency forced itself upon an unwilling society just after the transition from an authoritarian to a democratic regime. One of Peru's most distinguished journalists, Gustavo Gorriti first covered the Shining Path movement for the leading Peruvian newsweekly, Caretas . Drawing on hundreds of interviews and an impressive array of government and Shining Path documents, he weaves his careful research into a vivid portrait of the now-jailed Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman, Belaunde and his generals, and the unfolding drama of the fiercest war fought on Peruvian soil since the Chilean invasion a century before. |A gripping account of Peru's guerrilla insurgency, known as the Shining Path, which plagued the nation for over fifteen years.

About the Author :
In addition to his work for Caretas, Gustavo Gorriti has been a frequent contributor to the New York Times, the New Republic, and the Los Angeles Times. Currently, he is deputy editor of Panama's La Prensa. Robin Kirk is author of The Monkey's Paw: New Chronicles from Peru and coeditor of The Peru Reader: History, Culture, Politics.

Review :
Gorriti reminds us of the forceful impact of serious investigative reporting and the risk journalists face to reveal the truth.Jose Miguel Vivanco, executive director, Americas division, Human Rights Watch One of the most informative accounts of the first phase of the insurrection launched by the Partido Comunista del Peru ."Latin American Studies" Gorriti's classic account of the Sendero Luminoso retains all its immediacy and explanatory power in this fine translation."Foreign Affairs" Gorriti_s classic account of the Sendero Luminoso retains all its immediacy and explanatory power in this fine translation."Foreign Affairs" Gorritia[s classic account of the Sendero Luminoso retains all its immediacy and explanatory power in this fine translation."Foreign Affairs" ÝO¨ne of the most informative accounts of the first phase of the insurrection launched by the Partido Comunista del Peru ."Latin American Studies" Gorriti skillfully relates the story of Sendero members, victims, and targets, weaving together a coherent description of the movement."Latin American Research Review" Gorritis classic account of the Sendero Luminoso retains all its immediacy and explanatory power in this fine translation."Foreign Affairs" "Gorriti reminds us of the forceful impact of serious investigative reporting and the risk journalists face to reveal the truth.Jose Miguel Vivanco, executive director, Americas division, Human Rights Watch" "Gorriti skillfully relates the story of Sendero members, victims, and targets, weaving together a coherent description of the movement."Latin American Research Review"" [O]ne of the most informative accounts of the first phase of the insurrection launched by the Partido Comunista del Peru ."Latin American Studies" GorritiUs classic account of the Sendero Luminoso retains all its immediacy and explanatory power in this fine translation."Foreign Affairs" Provides a brilliant indictment of the ineffective and corrupt police and intelligence services."Times Literary Supplement"