Víctor Peralta Ruiz

Shining and Other Paths: War and Society in Peru, 1980-1995 (review)

This does not mean that relations with France were irrelevant. French culture influenced Central American elites, secondary schools managed by French nuns and priests educated future politicians, French university degrees were highly valued credentials, French Positivism was adopted by the liberal regimes, and military missions, particularly in Guatemala, were a lasting presence. Regardless of the limited value of exports, the very fact that the French were part of a competition with British, American, German, and Mexican diplomats allowed local governments some room to maneuver to defend their interests, as proven by numerous examples in the book. One may differ in terms of emphasis, but this book greatly enriches our understanding of the complexities of Central American international relations in its first century of independent life.