God's Favorite is a novel that in part is fiction, non-fiction, and imagination. Initially I was under the impression that the author was biased; now, after reading the book, I have to admit that Mr. Wright is a fluid writer. I enjoyed the piece on Noriega and the fictional Panama setting. I also found in many sections a great deal of humor. I had to put the book down to laugh. I have read works on Panama and Noriega and found this book flowing; it was not boring, dry, or difficult to read and understand. On the contrary, the book was an enjoyable read.

For those who would like to look at Panama under fiction, this is the book. It does not highlight a detail history; it does include fictional/non-fictional parts that can very well be argued in a political science course.

I would recommend this book for leisure, escape, and for fluid reading which allows the reader to enjoy. Wright's Noriega is a complex, somewhat understood character. Afte reading several works on Noriega (non-fiction), I would highly agree with this book for humor, leisure, and for imagination. Readers should not take the whole book for fact; it is a work of fiction and imagination.

An utterly arresting blend of fact and fiction, "God's Favorite" thrusts the reader into the bloody maelstrom of Panama under Noriega. The book is incredibly accessible, even entertaining, but it never loses its intent to put you into the heart of the situation, sparing no one, revealing everything. Of course, one cannot know what a historical figure thinks, believes or desires. Even their own words are tainted by the unswerving gaze of history. Wright, however, does not let his book rest on his assumtions of thoughts and feeling. He brings a trained observers calculated analysis and the well known documented facts of the situation to frame his narrative.

This is a truly delightful experience, crisp in style, engaging in content and memorable in the final experience. Recommended.

A novel of the highest order, taking in religion, history, various world views, politics, and cultures while introducing the reader to modern times. Set in Panama in the late '80's it is a bottom's up view of the top of the hierarchy and how the way that world works from both the macro and microscopic view. The bloody view of personal and corrupted power will make the reader wince, laugh out loud, and possibly bring a tear to the eye. We find out how an ugly Mestizo can own a country and as the reader gets into Mr. Noriega's skin to see his view, we find that the writer has a good grasp on the ordinary things that bring meaning to one's life; however it is also the view of a mad man. We are given a look at the USA machinations into that region and the ultimate purposes involving new-old fashion terrorism, narco-terrorism, with a pinch of romance. Often I felt as if I were participating in the movie Casablanca. An enjoyable read from front to back. On the other hand, my wife put the book down after page 10.

Steve Albert has presented one of the most exhaustive and most interesting works on the Noriega trial. I have read other works by John Dinges, Frederick Kemp, David Harris, but, when it comes to events leading up to the actual trial, this has to be one of the most important contributions on the U.S.-Panama-Noriega case.

This book is for readers interested in searching, exploring, and in the end, understanding how key events, exchanges, testimonies, and ultimately an invasion took place to not only overthrow the general but also how the judicial process was able to ultimately imprisoned him in the United States.

How did the U.S., under the Bush administration, get away with it?

Why former traffickers served and assisted prosecutors?

What was the motive, the real motive, behind the invasion?

Did the average reader know or research the fact: "11 days from the invasion (January 1, 1990) the U.S. was to begin the Panama canal hand over process to a Panamanian administrator? This process would continue to December 31, 1999.

Why did Noriega participate in the Contadora Peace Process, and how did his views change U.S. foreign relations with Panama, in particular with his personal and close, with regards to intelligence services, relationship with the United States?

Why Noriega no longer expressed support for the School of the Americas in Panama, or no longer expressed a bilateral interest in maintaining such training facilities in Panama?

This book is thought-provoking. For readers interested in the U.S. role in Panama during the Noriega years, this is a must read.

I applaud Mr. Albert for being forthcoming in presenting this book to a wider audience. Many thanks.

I had the opportunity to meet with DR. Fabregat and learn about his books. He is a great author and teacher. All homes should have a copy of HIS Books. The stories motivate the readers to write with passion. I am teacher and my students loved the book.

DRIFT is the Robert Lomos' story as he travels through the journey that some of us refer to as "becoming a man." The product of a marriage that didn't last, Robert had to grow up when he should have been thinking of little kid stuff: carnivals instead of caring for his baby brother; Little League instead of worrying about his father's infidelity; homecoming instead of witnessing his mother's mental breakdown. Robert has sees his life take a downward spiral when his aunt takes his mother from San Antonio to Los Angeles, to aid her in her convalescence, and insists he stay behind.

Robert lives with his Grams now at age seventeen, and his routine of partying hard, fighting, and cutting school has her at wit's end. So, she enrolls him in a private Christian school, where she believes he will be saved from the trouble that looms in his path. However, Robert ends up in even more scuffs and in even more bad situations than when he attended public school. Robert is tired of his ulcer causing him physical pain, and his mother and brother's absence causing him emotional pain. He decides to get a job, go to Los Angeles and try to convince them that he is now a man, a changed soul who is there to be their saving grace.

Manuel Martinez has carefully constructed his protagonist's voice. A strong, resonant narrator, Robert's spirit breathes new life into the first-person format of the novel. You could see Robert as clearly as if he were standing next to you, hear his voice as if he were whispering in your ear, and feel the heartache he feels, as if it were your own tribulation. A commendable novel, DRIFT foreshadows of more great things to come from Martinez.

Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Marc Simmons has done a wonderful job documenting the Southwest through many of his writings. In "The Little Lion of the Soutwest" he brings to life Manuel Antonio (Duran y) Chaves. Manuel lived through a drastically changing political environment of what he considered his homeland since when the Duran y Chaveses first found their way into what is now the American Southwest in the early 1600s. Simmons documents Manuel's childhood, military service, and livelihood through his son, Amado's collection, and other historical documentation. Mr. Simmons puts a face on some of the personalities that helped shape (what is now) New Mexico during the 1800s.

These are the tales of which my family grew up on. This story reminiscents to how well our great+ grandfathers lived compared to what resulted when many hispanic families were pushed off their lands. As a child, I remember hearing tales about the dealings with the Native Americans, having huge herds of cattle and sheep, and that there were a few in the family who fought in the old wars. During that time, I chalked these up as family "fish tales". In reading "The Little Lion", some of these myths come to life. Mr. Simmons helps in piecing together a history of what one great man of the Chavez family went through. For this I am grateful to read about because my fifth great grandfather was one of Manuel Antonio's uncles. Mr. Simmons writing's on Manuel Antonio Chavez makes many proud of the honor of being part of this "Distinctive American Clan".

This book is one I will always cherish, knowing someone took the time in giving a voice to a few lives of the Southwest. This is the stuff that should be taught in American History.

John Dinges, the author of the book, Our Man in Panama:The Shrewd Rise and Brutal Fall of Manuel Noriega, does justice in shedding light and illuminating the path to understanding the evolution to Noriega's involvement, as a foreign-policy actor, holding the highest military-government office in Panama and how the U.S. supported and politicially embraced Noriega as a key political figure.
The book evolves with Noriega's involvement with the CIA, his early years with the PDF, Central American involvement, electoral fraud in Panama in which the CIA funnels millions to destabilizes the opposition, and leads the reader to examine how the near, if not over, 30 years relationship between Noriega and the U.S.is breaking down.
More importantly, the book will intelligently raise questions, argue foreign policy issues, such as the canal bases-treaties, and how the media, as a shaper of opinion formulated and shaped opinion as well as cultivated a "non-responsive" mood in the U.S. It can be argued, in part, that the power of propaganda was instrumental in debilitating the average viewer with just enough information to keep the reader misinformed, confused, and as a non-participant voice during the U.S invasion of Panama.

Ambassador Juan Sosa's IN DEFIANCE depicts the process and the strategy to restore democracy to his native Panama, and his personal battle even from his office in Washington, against one of the last military dictatorships that characterized Latin American governments for many decades. As a Colombian, I am compelled to hold a special view of the history of the construction of the Canal that eventually led to Panama's separation (we don't call it independence) from Colombia. Also, as a former 0AS staff member, I cannot but agree with the author's frustration in his dealings with the Organization especially in that particular period when its Secretary General, Baena Soares, Brazilian former minister of foreign relations, was himself a product of the military regime of Brazil. Ambassador's Sosa's endurance in his quest form Panama's sovereignty is clearly shown in his book written in such a manner that it holds the reader's attention from cover to cover.

I found In Defiance to be a highly informative and at times exciting and inspiring book. Considering that I knew how the story ended before I began reading, the fact that I found it difficult to put it down is the mark of a good story teller. Even though I followed the Noriega crisis rather closely in the press as it unfolded ten years ago, the book provided many fascinating details that were told from an "insider" point of view. The close relationship between the Panamanian Embassy and the State Department was particularly interesting. Author Juan Sosa also intersperses the narration of the story with interesting information about Latin American politics (comments on the Organization of American States were especially interesting). I found this book to be of interest not only as an historical account, but also because of its relevance to U.S. foreign relations today -- for example, the ongoing debate about the U.S. obligation/right to intervene in the affairs of sovereign nations.

Ambassador Juan Sosa has in-depth knowledge of his country and is able to present it in an objective fair manner. He is a stickler for detail and a master of diplomacy in describing US-Panama relations and in analyzing the players' motives and inspirations which ultimately caused events culminating in the US military action, Just Cause. Juan Sosa is proud of his nation and of his role in preserving the integrity of the Embassy in Washington under enormous pressure. For those of us Americans who lived in this amazing little country, "In Defiance" makes the intricacies of very complex issues most understandable. I think even General Noriega might approve.

Before Saddam, there was Noriega. Both were the creations and eventual tormentors of the United States and the West.

Author Frederick Kempe's Divorcing The Dictator vacillates between traditional reportage and polemics about a foreign policy that accepted a tyrant and his excesses. The result is an often riveting account of a dictator who played all sides in the waning days of the Cold War. Kempe's tirades avoid repetitious thoughts, sentences, and even whole paragraphs that appear verbatim at several points in his straight reporting. Nonetheless, Kempe's righteous indignation sometimes can be just as cloying.

One laudable burst of anger is the author's account of the American betrayal of failed coup leader Maj. Moises Giroldi. This tragicomedy is reminiscent of President John F. Kennedy's cynical sellout of the American-backed troops at the Bay of Pigs. Like JFK, the first President George Bush sat on his hands as Giroldi and those who supported him futilely awaited limited U.S. assistance. Another editorial highlight is the expose of President Jimmy Carter's blatant cover-up of Noriega's criminality. The book's best passages are to be found in the last chapter, where the author ruminates eloquently about the coddling of dictators and how this bastardized United States foreign policy.

The Noriega presented here was far more complex than the media-portrayed monster. A man of strange sexual habits, weird spiritual beliefs, and keen insight, Noriega used a sociopathic and brilliant mind to loot a country, betray his friends, and cling to power. From his impoverished and sad childhood in the slums of Panama City to his eventual arrest and conviction, the biographical information contains some new details as well as material that has been previously reported.

As the second President Bush prepares to topple another dictator, Kempe reminds us that previously friendly tyrants can become, as the title to one chapter suggests, very dangerous tar babies.

Chilling expose of CIA involvement in Noreiga's rise to power. Author cites documented sources of instances of US complicity and collusion in order to get intelligence data on Cuba, Nicaragua, etc.-while knowing full well Noreiga was playing both ends against the middle. Why the situation should not have gotten so far out of hand a full-scale invasion had to be launced to oust the former Panamanian strongman. Will cause conservatives and liberals alike to rethink the Bush administration and his time as Director of Central Intelligence, and wonder if Congress would ever have the guts to look into this

I Lived in panama when I was growing up & this book really confirmed many suspicions, filled in many gaps & showed how things were 10 times worst than I imagined. Scarry Stuff!
Everyone always joked & talked about this stuff
but truth is ... you know. It was facinating to find out what went on in places I remember. Its like finding out your hometown you grew up in was crawling with spies. The Book is full of information & History. But there were a couple of things that were off track. The 470th was a detachment(a small group)not a whole Brigade. The book painted Puertoricans as easily turned traitors(Most served Honorably in the face preasure & Temptation)
Bad apples came in all flavores & nationalities. It also painted their"Gringo" Superiors & Zonians as a bunch of rednecks(well mabey). My Dad says the author is a CIA agent putting their spin on the whole thing. After reading this book anything is possible! Interesting Book.

I found a copy of the Time for Tyrants in Panama in 1999, and read it in total fascination. I had my own background having visited the country periodically since the period of Torrijos in the 70s, and was a frequent visitor in the period 1986 to 1989, while my firm was trying to complete a contract there.

The book provides a no holds barred detailed account of how the systematic corruption developed under Torrijos and how the torch or key to the cash box was passed to Norriega.

The book records the initial visits by Torrijos to Sweden in the 70s related to major power projects which started the cash flowing, and thereby established the rewards for those that controlled the government. Torrijos and then Norriega set up and maintained the system of total control by non elected individuals.

An important element of this book by Koster and Sanchez is their description of how the US government supported the various tyrants as part of their Canal policy throughout this period until the last year of so of Norriega's reign.

During the last two years of Norriega up to the American invasion the book details the murder, torture, kidnapping and destruction of democracy that were directly orchestrated by Norriega, and the failure of the half hearted attempts by the US government to control or remove him.

As the book recounts, the last two terrible years of Norriega were not necessary. The US government could have dealt with the problem earlier, and avoided the misery that fell on Panama.

During my visits through 1988-1989 I was witness to the abuse of Norriega's "dobermans", and the resistance, especially from the white collar segment of the population. Panama was a seriously dangerous place for everyone at that time.

Koster and Sanchez also imply that there is a culture in Panama that made this saga posible. That Martin Torrijos (son of Omar) could be a credible and nearly successful candidate for President in the 1999 elections illustrates this message only too well.

Manuel Noriega was a manipulative, violent, untrustworthy, power hungry and generally unsavory guy. This book convincingly connects the dots in his rise to power and the relationships he used to his advantage. He appears to be no great nationalist, but an opportunist. For years he served the U.S. well in the War on Drugs while apparently profiting from it. What is the most educational theme of this book is the way in which several different parts of the government were involved in shaping our relations with Panama. The State Dept, DEA, CIA, FBI and NSC all had their interests to promote and protect. The author weaves together many threads, from the Contras and (briefly) BCCI to Colombian drug lords and Panamanian political corruption. There are interesting connections to George Bush, Jesse Helms and Oliver North. The author could have discussed in more depth the importance of taking away control of the canal from Panama in some government circles. The treaty signed by President Carter to hand over administration of the canal zone by 1999? was hotly contested, and it must have been rather convenient to have Noriega indicted for drugs as an excuse to remove him from power---as if invading a sovereign nation to get one man were justified. Overall, kudos to Mr. Dinges for a very detailed and very readable book.