“At the intersection of historical and military sociology, postcolonial thought and genocide studies, the author sheds light on the consequences of decades of military presence in impoverished communities in the Chichicastenango region in Western Guatemala’s highlands. Her extensive experience of over 20 years conducting research in Guatemala contributes to the in-depth analysis of this volume…All in all, Esparza’s study provides valuable insight into the mechanisms of violence in the early eighties.” • Forum for Development Studies“By combining postcolonial theory, military sociology and genocide studies, Marcia Esparza gives those largely silenced communities in Guatemala a sympathetic voice.” · Jürgen Zimmerer, University of Hamburg