How Difficult It Is to Be God

The revolutionary war launched by Shining Path, a Maoist insurgency, was the most violent upheaval in modern Perus history, claiming some 70,000 lives in the 1980s1990s and drawing widespread international attention. Yet for many observers, Shining Paths initial successes were a mystery. What explained its cult-like appeal, and what actually happened inside the Andean communities at war? In How Difficult It Is to Be God Carlos Ivn Degregorithe worlds leading expert on Shining Path and the intellectual architect for Perus highly regarded Truth and Reconciliation Commissionelucidates the movements dynamics. An anthropologist who witnessed Shining Paths recruitment of militants in the 1970s, Degregori grounds his findings in deep research and fieldwork. He explains not only the ideology and culture of revolution among the insurgents, but also their capacity to extend their influence to university youths, Indian communities, and competing social and political movements. Making Degregoris most important book available to English-language readers for the first time, this translation includes a new introduction by the editor, historian Steve J. Stern, who analyses the authors achievement, why it matters, and the debates it sparked. For anyone interested in Peru and Latin Americas age of dirty war, or in the comparative study of revolutions, Maoism, and human rights, this book will provide arresting new insights.