Dirty Secrets, Dirty War

by David Cox, Robert J. Cox (Foreword)

From 1976-1983, an estimated 30,000 people disappeared in Argentina. They were victims of the “Dirty War” – a brutal campaign designed by the government to root out possible subversives. Those suspected of being dissidents were kidnapped and taken to secret detention centers. Most were tortured and then killed – never seen again.

Robert J. Cox, editor of the Buenos Aires Herald, did what few others were willing to do – he told the truth about what was happening. Every day his newspaper reported on the kidnappings and killings. He challenged those in power – asking questions and demanding answers. Cox's commitment to reporting the truth made him a hero to the families of the disappeared, but an enemy of the state.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Research

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

David Cox has been a reporter for numerous international publications, including the Miami Herald, the Sunday Times, Clarin, La Nacion, and Perfil. He has also worked for the Buenos Aires Herald and the International Herald Tribune. His first book, coauthored in Spanish with Damian Nabot about the robbery of Juan Peron’s severed hands, won international acclaim.

David is a graduate of the College of Charleston and holds an M.A. in mass communications from the University of South Carolina. He is currently a journalist with CNN in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Chip · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Robert Cox, the courageous editor of the Buenos Aires Herald during the era of Argentina's "Dirty War", as written by Cox's son David. Focused on Cox and his family, rather than a more general and authoritative history of that time or place, but certainly illuminating and saddening. Worth the read.

[Tamarindo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, I would rather give this flawed but interesting book 3.5 stars. It is a very detailed account of the ordeal of an editor and his family during the infamous Argentinean dictatorship. It is written by the editor's son and includes much fascinating information about the inner power struggles of the junta. There are other shocking details of who betrays, who helps, who closes their eyes to the terror.

However, David Cox is a clunky, pedestrian writer; he could have made so much more of this dramatic, compelling material. The book also is too long, in need of a skilled editor. Despite these shortcomings, though, if you are interested in this dark period of Argentinean history, which still greatly influences the country today, I would recommend this book. It is certainly a sincere tribute from a son to a brave journalist.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of journalist Cox and his family living in a state of impending doom, told straight with the only movie-style drama being that the family's years of existence under Argentina's reign of military terrorism in the 70s actually totaled nine. Cox's bravery by some may seem like foolishness to others, for the constant threat he placed his family in--and there are a lot of threats; ominous men in Ford Falcons with no license plates dog the family for years. Regardless, the family's love for the country and its people, and Cox's devotion to exposing Argentinian injustice is noble.

[Karl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bit of a bait and switch, I thought it was going to be about the Dirty War period of Argentina’s history. It was kind of - but it was actually more of a family written memoir about the editor of the Buenos Aires Herald. There was plenty of insight into some of the events of the Dirty War that the editor witnessed up close but the book was more about Robert Cox and his family. The writing was also a bit jumbled and clumsy which seemed all the more glaring considering the main subject was a wordsmith and news editor that made his living writing.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book on Argentina's "Dirty War" with several jaw dropping moments of some of the horrors that went on during that time. Quick read, though the Kindle version formatting is a little wonky.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of a difficult time in Argentinian history.

[Vincent Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book consists of an account of institutionalized terrorism on part of the Argentinian military government through the eyes of a family that was lucky enough to afford its publication. To those who would argue against its reading for reasons editorial, I would put it to them that this book contains mountains of substance that merits reading for any who are concerned with the history of human-rights. David Cox's book is a riveting account of Argentinian human-rights violations and the newspaper editor that fought to end them the only way he knew how.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative memoir dealing with a newspaper editor's career in Buenos Aires reporting on the human rights abuses of the junta government. Tends to veer towards hagiography at times, but nonetheless succeeds in giving a good general introduction to the politics of the country during troubled times.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat disorganized but interesting story of a very brave family and their experiences during the "dirty war" in Argentina

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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