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I have a colleague at Newman who takes students to Guatemala every summer. \xa0Since I arrived she\u2019s encouraged me to join her. \xa0I would stay with the order of sisters who sponsor our university. I\u2019d learn at least a few words of rudimentary Spanish. \xa0And, she says, if I\u2019m really interested in genocide, I must visit this complicated, conflicted country.\n\nI\u2019ve always declined (granted, I\u2019m usually taking students to Europe, so I have a good excuse). \xa0However, after reading\xa0Virginia Garrard-Burnett\u2019s excellent description of Guatemala in the early 1980s, I may have to say yes the next time.\n\nBurnett does an extraordinary job of making the complex politics of Guatemala understandable.\xa0Terror in the Land of the Holy Spirit: Guatemala under General Efrain Rios Montt 1982-1983\xa0(Oxford University Press, 2011)\xa0is at least partly a biography of Rios Montt, and an excellent one. \xa0Burnett\u2019s explanation of Rios Montt\u2019s complicated personality and the influence religion played on his rule is superb. \xa0But the book moves beyond that to explain briefly the broader context that brought the president to power and the ways in which repression turned into open violence.\n\nBefore doing this interview, I probably knew less about Guatemala than any other case of genocidal violence. \xa0After the interview, I intend to make sure this is no longer true.\n\nOne note: \xa0Garrard-Burnett\u2019s time was relatively limited, so today\u2019s interview is a bit shorter than normal. \xa0I encourage you to read the book to appreciate fully the richness of her analysis.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices\nSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/genocide-studies