Military Model Scene

Title: Tropic Thunder in Suriname
Author: Sander Peeters
Publisher: Helion & Co
ISBN: 978-1-913118-71-6

Number 31 in the Latin America @ War series from Helion & Co, examining conflict in South America in the 20th Century. A 92-page soft-cover book, once again covering a story I knew nothing about beforehand. This is volume 1, covering the period from 1975 - 1982.
The book opens with the historical background so we understand how these events came to unfold. Originally Dutch Guiana after the Dutch ruled the country from 1667. During WW2 it was a major supplier of bauxite, the raw material of aluminium for the US aircraft industry. Then, thanks to the move to decolonisation by the Dutch government, in 1975 it gave independence to the new state of Suriname, whether they wanted it or not. The bulk of the book then tells the story of the country, and how the new government upset parts of the military who then led a military coup. Not that simple however as there were a number of them in the period between 1975 and 1982. The people and events are detailed, with the use of military equipment including ground vehicles, aircraft and patrol boats. In the centre pages there are maps and colour artwork illustrating uniforms, AFVs, aircraft and patrol boats which feature in the story.
The violence of events in such a short period of time led to the Netherlands breaking off all their development aid and support for the Surinamese government. With a failing economy after the closure of the bauxite industry, it leaves the story all set for volume 2, to tell us what happened after 1982. Another history of events in Latin America which many of us I am sure will not know much about, so interesting reading I found.
Thanks to Helion for the review copy.

Robin