Garvin's greatest success in "Everybody had his own Gringo" is that he addresses the contra army neither as a puppet creation of the United States nor as Robin Hood-esque freedom fighters glavanting around in the jungle. Written with mordant wit, dead-on in focus and scope, this is an excellent text on the contras. Those looking for a complete history of the Nicaraguan civil war, however, will probably want to look elsewhere.

Glenn Garvin's book is a wonderful and highly readable account of the peasant army which made up the Contras. The author is sympathetic but clear-eyed, and he provides a fascinating account of the motivations of the Contra soldiers and leaders, as well as describing U.S. involvement with the Contras. "Everybody Had His Own Gringo" (a great title!) is a "must-read" for anyone interested in the history of the Nicaraguan civil war and the Contras.

one of the very few books that don't blindly praise the sandinistas. this book and shirley christian's 'nicaragua: revolution in the family' are essential to understanding the civil war in nicaragua.

When I started this book, I was hoping for some unique insight into the Cuban revolution, overthrowing Communism, or Cuban politics. Instead, I got an interesting look into third world prisons, and some graphic descriptions of unspeakable violence, but very little substance. I'm disappointed, but not sorry I read it.

I don't know how I stumbled upon this book but I couldn't put it down once I started. While this is a story of Cuba, prison, and women, it is most importantly an inspiring story of courage. Ana is a true inspiration to all women to never stop fighting for what you deserve. She has an enormous amount of self-respect and lived in inhumane conditions for 2 decades because of her beliefs. It was a book I looked foward to reading every day and truely make me feel inspired.

I am not quite sure how I stumbled upon this book, but I couldn't put it down once I began. This is a book about Cuba, prison, women, and most importantly - courage. Ana puts up a fight for 19 years and doesn't give in to anything she doesn't believe in no matter how desperately AWFUL the conditions. She goes through situations that I can not even imagine and has more self-respect than anyone I have ever known. You don't have to know anything about Cuba to read this story. It will inspire you, particularly the women, to be like Ana and always fight for what you deserve.