Rich with detail, exciting and intense. It plunges the reader into a struggle for survival under a political power clash where friendship, love, betrayal and revenge highlight and intensify the human story. Captures a perfect pitch from his democratic centralist's perch and tilts his pen at the crooked windmills of both Left and Right . . . engaging and unforgiving . . . it follows the story even up until present . . . informative . . . a political chronicle that is also a page-turner; successfully develops characters who are caught in the whirlwind of a historical event; the settings, descriptions and issues from the first pages infatuate you, pull you in to the swirl of the people and places, so that your mind is transformed into a sort of sponge effortlessly absorbing the gripping narrative. You're going to enjoy the ride and be informed while you're getting to where it sends you: the Sandinista revolution and the Contra reaction studied under a magnifying glassThis work was enlightening in regards to the politics of Central America and equally critical of both sides of the conflict in a original way that I have never before seen. It educated but wasn't highbrow; it entertained, had a common vernacular and was funny. I felt miserable for both the Conservatives and the Liberals; the Somoza family were terrible despots and the Sandinistas were fanatics . . . as the author says, 'Poor Nicaragua.' Though the Central Americans are similar in their aspirations, they seem to change as soon as you cross a border. An enjoyable tale . . . not suited for those with narrow-minded political views . . . a suspenseful story while also incorporating intelligent humor.