{"product_id":"our-own-backyard-the-united-states-in-central-america-19771992-9780807848579","title":"Our Own Backyard: The United States in Central America  1977-1992","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this remarkable and engaging book  William LeoGrande offers the first comprehensive history of U.S. foreign policy toward Central America in the waning years of the Cold War. From the overthrow of the Somoza dynasty in Nicaragua and the outbreak of El Salvadors civil war in the late 1970s to the final regional peace settlements negotiated a decade later  he chronicles the dramatic struggles--in Washington and Central America--that shaped the regions destiny. For good or ill  LeoGrande argues  Central Americas fate hinged on decisions that were subject to intense struggles among  and within  Congress  the CIA  the Pentagon  the State Department  and the White House--decisions over which Central Americans themselves had little influence. Like the domestic turmoil unleashed by Vietnam  he says  the struggle over Central America was so divisive that it damaged the fabric of democratic politics at home. It inflamed the tug-of-war between Congress and the executive branch over control of foreign policy and ultimately led to the Iran-contra affair  the nations most serious political crisis since Watergate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647075246133,"sku":"ByrdShop_0807848573","price":50.34,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780807848579.jpg?v=1781687793","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/our-own-backyard-the-united-states-in-central-america-19771992-9780807848579","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}