Peru: Time of Fear

by Deborah Poole

Since 1980, Peru has been the scene of an escalating civil war. On the one hand, the Sendero Luminoso ("Shining Path") maoists determined to destroy existing society. On the other, the Peruvian military, acknowledged as South America's worst human rights violators. Caught in the middle, and dying in their thousands each year, are the poor peasants and slum-dwellers of Peru. Victims also of a collapsing economy and radical austerity programme, the great majority of Peruvians are living a time of fear. This work looks at the astonishing success of Sendero Luminoso, examines the party's bizarre ideology and describes how its violence reaches every corner of Peruvian society. It also explains why "non-politician" President Fujimori has assumed dictatorial powers in a deal with the military

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Michael Boyte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ostensibly a ‘left’ take on Peru and the Sendero, but one that fundamentally upholds the existing order, in all in grotesqueness.
Written in the early 90’s, this book mostly recycles other analyses of the Sendero, and fills it in with a larger history of Peruvian politics, with a particular in debth history of the ARPA movement. Theres little insight here, and the anti-communism jumps off the page.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers the 1980's, mainly, and the repression of the government as it faces the Maoist Shining Path and indigenous resistance groups. Does a good job of separating those latter two, placingg conflicts in context of history and current power, wealth, and oppression.

A little dated now, but a good historical look at Peru--none of these issues have gone away.