Allende's Chile: An Inside View

Rating:
Summary: Let me read it!
Review: A great book full of information. I couldn't put the damn thing down. HIGHLY recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Best source on Allende's Chile
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but not for an introduction
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Intersting parts, boring as a whole.
Review: The author worked for the Allende government and the best part of the book is the 'inside' perspective he adds. The highlight is his narration of the efforts made by him and other advisers in the US to protect Chilean interests from American Multinationals lawsuits, embargos, etc..that could come as a result of Allende's aggresive programs against them .
However, most of the book goes back to the same old boring common-place of how Imperialists Americans and Pinochet's "Bad Boys" are responsible for Allende's failure. Even the horrible economic situation is blamed on them. (Because Communism worked everywhere else!!!).
Anyway, the book was written in 1975 and at that time that speech was believed. Today, we know almost half of the chileans support Pinochet until today, and that although Americans played a role, the economic chaos was Allende's fault... for his irresponsible and un-professional programs.