Allende's Chile

by Edward Boorstein

Book Overview

This book seeks to shed light on the revolutionary process that unfolded under the Popular Unity government in Chile and will also seek to clarify some of the lessons of it. The book also discusses certain of the mistakes made by the government and its supporters. The Chilean's themselves would not have it otherwise.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0717804887
• ISBN13: 9780717804887
• Release Date: June 1977
• Publisher: International Publishers
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Interesting, but not for an introduction

Considering the writer's background, I was hoping that Allende's Chile would be sort of the end-all be-all for books on Pinochet, Chile and the coup. After finishing, I'd say that it's not even close. But the story is still worth looking at. What this book truly is, is just what it says: an inside view. There are significant passages on America's involvement, Pinochet and Chilean society at the time, but Boorstein really concentrates on political and economic conditions five to ten years prior to the coup as a subordinate of the Allende government. Some of the economic details get excruciatingly boring, but some of the historical background and personal experiences are what make Allende's Chile worthwhile. For a more detailed look at American involvement, I'd look to someone like Christopher Hitchens and his book on Henry Kissnger.

Best source on Allende's Chile

Boorstein's book, Allende's Chile, is far and away the best source on the Allende government, 1970-73. Boorstein was there, and has the kind of detailed account only an eyewitness can provide. His narrative of the increasing economic and political difficulties faced by the Allende government, and the drama of the struggle, is engaging, crystal clear, chronological, and illuminating of the economic and political forces at work. He is realistic, acknowledging the weaknesses in the decision-making processes and in the government's strategy, and at the same time bringing to light the ways in which the government was undermined, and the economy sabotaged, by opposition groups and the CIA.This is an exceptionally valuable piece of history; every library and every Latin Americanist should own it.

Let me read it!

A great book full of information. I couldn't put the damn thing down. HIGHLY recommended.

An exellent, passionate analysis of the Allende/U.P. period

Boorstein offers a very much needed Leftist account of the Allende/Unidad Popular government and their foes. It explains the economics and social-political constraints put upon the ruling Socialist government by several inter-related players such as the reactionary Chilean Nationalists, the moderate Christian Democrats, the Chilean Armed Forces, and--of course--the C.I.A. and several U.S. multi-national corporations. The important fact is that Boorstein worked FOR the Chilean government and he lived in Santiago during the massive demonstrations for and against Unidad Popular. He wasn't writing from the outside looking in (see, Chile's Marxist Experiment by Robert Moss for a conservative critique of Allende and Unidad Popular). All in all, an under-appreciated and important book for those interested in the role of mega-corporations and how the U.S. can inflict serious economic anarchy on a really defenseless nation, as well as how Leftist coalitions should break away from orthodox Marxist policies.