You may disagree with this book. But whether you believe that the FARC are terrorists, drug traffickers, the armed poor, freedom fighters, or just a group that has lost its way, Garry Leech's history of the guerrillas will make you view them differently - and may change your view of Colombia's long conflict and how it can be brought to an end. The FARC acknowledges and addresses the many deserved criticisms levelled at Latin America's oldest insurgent group, and seeks to explain what continues to motivate it today. Whether you think the FARC should be fought, negotiated with, or both, Leech's book is an essential text. There's nothing like it in English. * Adam Isacson, Director of the Regional Security Policy Program at the Washington Office on Latin America *
Provides an excellent account of the insurgent group and cogently challenges many of the simplistic * assumptions inherent to mainstream narratives of the FARC.' *
Using original sources and key interviews, this book serves as an invaluable guide that places the FARC, Latin America's oldest and largest insurgency movement, in its political, economic and strategic context. * Doug Stokes, University of Kent at Canterbury *
A predominant characteristic that separates a strong investigative journalist from someone who simply reports already existing information is the distinction of integrity to acknowledge that which is not so readily or openly supported by popular discourse. Such a description fits well when concerning the work of Garry Leech, as shown within The FARC: The Longest Insurgency. Not only does Leech put into context the historical importance of this movement, and its response to Colombia's political-economic inequalities, but he provides a detailed analysis of what the guerrilla have done in an attempt to create a more socially respectable environment for the betterment of the majority rather than a continuity of enrichment for a select few. It is for these reasons that this work is essential reading for a wide variety of scholars, social activists, concerned citizens, and social justice advocates, as Leech is able to shed light on the important events and issues facing Colombian(s) society. A reality that is sorely unaddressed or, even worse, structurally misinformed through instruments of the popular media and so-called academic scholarship. * James J. Brittain, Associate Professor within the Department of Sociology, Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada *
