Book Review - Abril: Historia Gráfica de la Guerra de Abril
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Book Review
Despradel, Fidelio. Abril: Historia Gráfica de la Guerra de Abril. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Secretaría de Estado de Cultura. Pages: 248. ISBN 9945-404-05-9
Every library should have this book, at the very least every one with a Spanish language or Latino collection. Published on the 40th anniversary of the 1965 Guerra de Abril in the Dominican Republic and of the United States’ invasion of the country, the book not only gives important historical information about an important era for Dominicans, but it also gives context for interpreting today’s historical events. Specifically, today’s invasion of Iraq and the claims make by the current administration that the invasion is tied to promoting democracy contrasts with the actions of the U.S. government in the 1960s in the Dominican Republic, where an amazing democratic movement was squelched. The book is a beautiful photo documentary with over 500 images of the events and the millions of people that participated in them. There are also numerous interviews and first hand accounts. This is a powerful book. As a Dominican American born one year before the Guerra de Abril, looking at the pictures and reading of my fellow country men and women sent chills through my body. Amazing that until this year I had not had access to this information. I picked up the book on a recent trip to the D.R. at the famous bookstore La Trinitaria. I don’t know how easy it will be to find in the U.S. but do everything you can to get it for yourself, your library and your community. The Spanish language book vendors might be able to get it and I know that La Trinitaria does ship overseas.
Book Review
Despradel, Fidelio. Abril: Historia Gráfica de la Guerra de Abril. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Secretaría de Estado de Cultura. Pages: 248. ISBN 9945-404-05-9
Every library should have this book, at the very least every one with a Spanish language or Latino collection. Published on the 40th anniversary of the 1965 Guerra de Abril in the Dominican Republic and of the United States’ invasion of the country, the book not only gives important historical information about an important era for Dominicans, but it also gives context for interpreting today’s historical events. Specifically, today’s invasion of Iraq and the claims make by the current administration that the invasion is tied to promoting democracy contrasts with the actions of the U.S. government in the 1960s in the Dominican Republic, where an amazing democratic movement was squelched. The book is a beautiful photo documentary with over 500 images of the events and the millions of people that participated in them. There are also numerous interviews and first hand accounts. This is a powerful book. As a Dominican American born one year before the Guerra de Abril, looking at the pictures and reading of my fellow country men and women sent chills through my body. Amazing that until this year I had not had access to this information. I picked up the book on a recent trip to the D.R. at the famous bookstore La Trinitaria. I don’t know how easy it will be to find in the U.S. but do everything you can to get it for yourself, your library and your community. The Spanish language book vendors might be able to get it and I know that La Trinitaria does ship overseas.