Searching for Everardo : A Story of Love, War, and the CIA in Guatemala

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Summary: I found this book to be haunting.
Review: ... and was left with a deep gratitude to Jennifer Harbury for so vividly and compellingly giving us Everardo, for so intimately letting us into their intimacies and love, for revealing to us a Guatemala few know, for having the courage to go there, deep into the mountains, and to bring out so vibrantly all these people who live precipitously on the edge in their quest for freedom - and for daring to love so deeply in such a dangerous situation, for holding fast to that love in her search for Everardo. Her speaking to him throughout the book reminds me, the reader, over and over, that this is not simply story, but real life. I found Jennifer's language to be utterly absorbing and her telling of this real life to be striking, commanding. It's a book I can't push away from, it keeps following me around weeks after I've finished reading.

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Summary: If only people knew the WHOLE truth
Review: Harbury's book is magnificent. It allows readers to glimpse the truth, the agony, behind civil war in Central and South America; and it explores every inch of the tear-stained emotions of the author. It has eyes that see the entire circle of human affairs, exploding into a grisly flow of blood that allows for no escape. The author paints a world of pain and joy, and of irrevocable loss; I cried at its conclusion. The book lodged itself into my soul and has not ever left.

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Summary: A Very Human Story
Review: Harbury's book tells a griping and human story about a woman's search for the truth. A "Reader" who left a negative review is mistaken in his/her accusation that Harbury and Bamaca were never married, sadly this is one of the lies that the Guatemalan Government has spread in a attempt to discredit Harbury. As to attrocities committed by the Guerillas, its true 3% of all human rights abuses were committed by the Guerillas (this figure is from the UN truth commission the Committee for Historical Clarification). And while there is no excuse for these violations of human rights it must be put into the perspective and compared to the 93% of human rights violations committed by the Guatemalan Army. Harbury's story puts a human face to this effects of a very violent and tragic civil war. However if you want to know more I would recommend " Guatemala: Never Again" by
the archdioses of Guatemala.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Human Story
Review: Harbury's book tells a griping and human story about a woman's search for the truth. A "Reader" who left a negative review is mistaken in his/her accusation that Harbury and Bamaca were never married, sadly this is one of the lies that the Guatemalan Government has spread in a attempt to discredit Harbury. As to attrocities committed by the Guerillas, its true 3% of all human rights abuses were committed by the Guerillas (this figure is from the UN truth commission the Committee for Historical Clarification). And while there is no excuse for these violations of human rights it must be put into the perspective and compared to the 93% of human rights violations committed by the Guatemalan Army. Harbury's story puts a human face to this effects of a very violent and tragic civil war. However if you want to know more I would recommend " Guatemala: Never Again" by
the archdioses of Guatemala.

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Summary: tale of love and war
Review: I must confess that I was haunted after reading the book. The level of inhumanity on the part of the guatamalan military/police/whatever is unfortunately that seems to repeating itself almost daily all around the world. it is only through stories like this, that people can truly register what is happening around them--and develop enough outrage to try and stop these needless inhuman acts (she provides a good example of what everyday citizens can do). That said, I agreed with much of the Kirkus review--the overflowery language detracted from the power of her book. Her insistance that the guerrillas had never ("not one instance") tortured or massacred people is just as unbelievable as the Guatamalan military's insistance. Likewise her continual refusal to believe that her husband was dead despite all the evidence was also somewhat maddening to me. The conduct of our government and the inhumanity of the Guatamalan military (and by inference, all acts of torture) are the two greatest and most powerful lessons learned from this book. after reading this book, I visited Guatamal and many of the social problems, discrimination, and political problems (and basic US policy) remain as they were before the peace treaty was signed. The question is when--and not if--guatamala will return to an armed uprising as the means to bring about change. We know what will happen and we know how the US Government will act.

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Summary: Eloquent and heartbreaking....
Review: Searching for Everardo is an emotionally moving book that tells the story of not just one man - but an entire race of people during a very violent period for their country. The Kirkus Review condemns the author for not acknowledging that her husband was a commander of the guerilla forces and therefore,they imply, somehow deserving of his capture, torture and death. Harbury clearly recognizes her husband's position in the war throughout the book and the Kirkus Review makes one see how necessary his struggle, the struggle of class and race, has been throughout history. We still have a long way to go in ending racism - the world over.

Rating:
Summary: Eloquent and heartbreaking....
Review: Searching for Everardo is an emotionally moving book that tells the story of not just one man - but an entire race of people during a very violent period for their country. The Kirkus Review condemns the author for not acknowledging that her husband was a commander of the guerilla forces and therefore,they imply, somehow deserving of his capture, torture and death. Harbury clearly recognizes her husband's position in the war throughout the book and the Kirkus Review makes one see how necessary his struggle, the struggle of class and race, has been throughout history. We still have a long way to go in ending racism - the world over.

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Summary: This book gives me hope
Review: Searching for Everardo is one of the most touching books I've read in awhile. This book truly opened my eyes to a world I've never really seen. Harbury's writing is eloquent, natural, and most of all honest. Not only do you learn about a history that isn't told in school books, but you also learn about human nature -- both good and bad. I would highly recommend Searching for Everardo to anyone who wants his/her eyes opened a little bit. This book might not change the world or its politics, but it will change the reader, and we can only cause change to happen one step at a time.

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Summary: A book also about a great woman.
Review: Whether Commander Everardo was an innocent civilian or a military leader is besides the point! No human should be tortured like he was.