This is volume 34 of the Latin America at War Series and the second volume dealing with the conflagration in El Salvador. The book describes the conflagration between 1984 through 1992. The book is divided into 7 chapters, which in turn are divided into sections with an Introduction, conclusion, as well as two sections for abbreviations and selected bibliography.

The introduction is a recap of the situation in El Salvador during those years from the early 1980's through 1992 at which time a peace agreement was signed by both parties. The first section/chapter is called the FAES makeover. We are introduced to the position of strength the rebels held as they had joined forces to fight the common enemy. In this case, it was the Salvadorean military. The introduction of US military aid, starting with the creation of the counter-insurgency units in 1984 is the beginning of change in the conflict. The American aid was not only given to the Salvadorean Army but to the Salvadorean Air Force as well.

Chapter 2 provides us with the turning point during 1984 and describes several battles between the insurgents and the military. The battles described in the section include those at Villa Dolores, San Gerardo Ciudad barrios, and others which made the insurgent forces go on the defensive. The elections of 1984 are touched on as well.

The next chapter- Chapter 3- is about the failure of the low-intensity warfare between the years of 1985-1986. Although the Salvadorean army had successes during this time they were not sufficient to break the insurgents’ forces. The insurgent forces changed strategy and returned to guerrilla warfare which in turn debilitated the morale of the Salvadorean military. During this time the insurgents used all means to debilitate the government forces by undermining the legitimacy of the government. The chapter ends by describing Operation Fenix. This operation was not successful.

Chapter 4 describes the failure of the insurgents’ forces in maintaining the upper hand and forcing them to a strategy of dispersing their forces, as well as spectacular raids and economic sabotage. The insurgents were on the defensive at this time. Finally, in 1988 they started to concentrate their forces in order to carry out a major attack on the government forces. The chapter ends with the attempt for negotiations and the rearmament of the insurgents. Chapter 5 describes the year of 1989 which is considered the decisive year in this conflict. The end of the Duarte Presidency is described, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Salvadorean Army. The 1989 presidential elections are described, as well as the Bush Administration's view of the conflict.

Chapter 7 is about the strategy of the insurgents to bring about the fall of the government by a decisive battle and a massive uprising. The insurgent plan is described, as well as the battle for the capital of El Salvador. The retreat of the insurgent, as well as their continued harassment of the Salvadorean forces is described. The chapter ends with a description of the consequences of the offensive. The last chapter is about the path to peace Both parties decided to return to the negotiation table in November 1989 with the introduction of the United Nations as mediator. The peace was formalized in February and the conflict ended.

The last chapter is the conclusion. Here the authors express their conclusions of why the situation in El Salvador has not changed. This is due to the failure of the insurgents, after winning an election and having insurgent leaders as presidents. They could not implement their policies.

I would like to thank Casemate Publishers for the opportunity to review the book.