• War Against All Puerto Ricans

  • Revolution and Terror in America's Colony
  • By: Nelson A. Denis
  • Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
  • Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (961 ratings)

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War Against All Puerto Ricans  By  cover art

War Against All Puerto Ricans

By: Nelson A. Denis
Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
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Publisher's summary

In 1950, after over 50 years of military occupation and colonial rule, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico staged an unsuccessful armed insurrection against the United States. Violence swept through the island: Assassins were sent to kill President Harry Truman, gunfights roared in eight towns, police stations and post offices were burned down. In order to suppress this uprising, the US Army deployed thousands of troops and bombarded two towns, marking the first time in history that the US government bombed its own citizens.

Nelson A. Denis tells this powerful story through the controversial life of Pedro Albizu Campos, who served as the president of the Nationalist Party. A lawyer, a chemical engineer, and the first Puerto Rican to graduate from Harvard Law School, Albizu Campos was imprisoned for 25 years and died under mysterious circumstances. By tracing his life and death, Denis shows how the journey of Albizu Campos is part of a larger story of Puerto Rico and US colonialism.

Through oral histories, personal interviews, eyewitness accounts, congressional testimony, and recently declassified FBI files, War Against All Puerto Ricans tells the story of a forgotten revolution and its context in Puerto Rico's history, from the US invasion in 1898 to the modern-day struggle for self-determination. Denis provides an unflinching account of the gunfights, prison riots, political intrigue, FBI and CIA covert activity, and mass hysteria that accompanied this tumultuous period in Puerto Rican history.

©2015 Nelson A. Denis (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A pointed, relentless chronicle of a despicable part of past American foreign policy." ( Kirkus)

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What listeners say about War Against All Puerto Ricans

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I am puertorican....

This book is haunting but so accurate. Made my soul hurt but made me realize a lot of things. Totally recommend. I cried, I wept, and got angry. But now I know more.

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19 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book is outstanding. Eye opener.

Would you consider the audio edition of War Against All Puerto Ricans to be better than the print version?

Haven't read in print

What was one of the most memorable moments of War Against All Puerto Ricans?

The description about the masacre at the Salon Boricua, details about the situation of the cane workers, everything, this book is amazing.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Terrible narrator. It was extremely distracting that he could not pronounce correctly any of the Spanish words in the text (and there was one in almost every paragraph). Amazing story, but could have been much better with a bilingual narrator (tested bilingual, not resume bilingual).

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Truly Enlightening

As a full blooded Puerto Rican who grew up on the mainland, I've always wanted to know more about my culture and the history of my people. This book was amazing in that aspect. I was heartbroken and enraged, simultaneously, multiple times. It definitely confirmed why there is such a fire in my soul as a Puerto Rican. Explained why these deep seeded feelings are there. 100 percent recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Thank you!

Amazing book. Thank you for capturing our history and for many long hours of compiling it so the audience can appreciate those who fought for a great cause.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A MUST READ!!!!

it's a sad telling of how Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans feel (at least my friends and family) about being under colonial rule and the corruption that is trying to destroy a people.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • JP
  • 05-17-20

History of vital importance...

This book should be mandatory in all history, this is probably one the most important books I've ever read. If you're American, if you're PR'n or if you just tend to forget how absolutely easy & great our lives are in the 21st century. You must learn about this dark period in history...

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, but...

This book is a great book. The narrator did not pronounce the town names or other words correctly. A narrator more fluent in Spanish would have provided a much better experience.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great In depth stories. With great fact checking.

A Revolution book. Action packed and guaranteed to cause certain feelings of outrage in the reader. Really detailed, and at times can be pretty violent so be prepared. But this is the side of American history and Latin American history you don't often get to hear about. And everything in this book is still relevant today especially in regards to the freedoms of the people of Puerto Rico. Recommended Read 10/10

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Must read for all Americans and Puerto Ricans

This book tells a very important story of the abuse by the American government upon the people and land of Puerto Rico. Understanding the history of what Puerto Ricans have endured will open eyes to struggles they still face today.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is a book the all puertorrican should have!!!!!

I learned more about the true history of Puerto Rico, from this book than I did in school.

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