Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Book Overall
Review: This is a valuable work, primarily because it puts faces and names to those being harmed in the Colombian conflict, and explores the many reasons for the strife the citizenry experiences currently. The sociological, economic, ideological, political, and personal reasons for the murder and terror are all shown. If you're interested in further reading on Colombia, US drug policy, and guerilla warfare in Colombia, "The Sixth Division" and "The Ties That Bind" are both published by Human Rights Watch (it looks as though Kirk probably worked on the HRW publications as well, some of the writing is nearly identical). They deal more with hard facts and are a more academic source of info. (The only reason I gave it only 4 stars was that I thought it was a bit long-winded at times)
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Perspective of Actual Conditions
Review: This is the best book that I have ever read regarding the atmosphere that pervades much of Colombia. It shows both the best and the worst of the populace of that beautiful nation. The heroism of people dealing with potential death in everyday life is difficult to believe. It truly represents the character of the Colombian people. When I was in Colombia I was amazed at the expression used in everyday life of "si le toca, le toca", literally " if it touches you, it touches you". You could translate this phrase better in English as "when your time comes, it comes". The book reflects this rationalization of living under such conditions. The title may be somewhat misleading for commercial purposes. As the author explains within the book, the meaning for the courageous people of Colombia is more akin to "To Not Try to Improve the Current Condition Would be More Terrible than Death".
Rating:
Summary: Robin Kirk Knows Colombia
Review: What Robin Kirk learned in her twelve years of covering Colombia for HUMAN Rights Watch, is delivered to us here. She does not give us an easy solution to drug or military issues. She gives us her experiences onsite.
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