This book surveys a period of more than a century, and deals with events in fourteen countries scattered around the globe. Few if any writers are easily conversant with all of the events and personalities it describes. I drew the accounts in this book from the work of hundreds of historians, journalists, and others. My bibliography is not only a jumping-off point for readers who want more information about the episodes I describe but also a tribute to authors whose work shaped and guided my own.
To ensure that my accounts of “regime change” operations were as accurate as possible, I asked specialists to review each chapter. All of them made corrections, suggestions, and comments that greatly improved my text. Their only compensation was the satisfaction of serving truth. I am deeply in their debt.
Professor Pauline King of the University of Hawaii reviewed the chapter on Hawaii. Professor Louis A. Pérez of Duke University, Professor Silvia Álvarez Curbelo of the University of Puerto Rico, and Professor Maria Luisa Camagay of the University of the Philippines reviewed sections of my chapter on the Spanish-American War.
The historian, novelist, and former Nicaraguan vice president Sergio Ramirez and the Nicaraguan economist Edmundo Jarquín reviewed material about their country. Professor Mario Argueta of the National University of Honduras did the same for my account of events there.
I counted on comparably expert guidance for my accounts of the four Cold War coups. The author and historian Farhad Diba reviewed my chapter on Iran. Professor Susanne Jonas of the University of California at Berkeley and Edelberto Torres Rivas of the Facultad Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales in Guatemala City reviewed the Guatemala chapter. Professor Mark Bradley of Northwestern University reviewed the chapter on South Vietnam. The historian and archivist Peter Kornbluh, the Chilean author Ariel Dorfman, Professor Peter Winn of Tufts University, and Professor Paul Sigmund of Princeton University reviewed the chapter on Chile.
The independent scholar Wendy Grenade reviewed my chapter on the invasion of Grenada. Professor Steven Ropp of the University of Wyoming reviewed the chapter on Panama. The author and journalist Ahmed Rashid reviewed my Afghanistan chapter. Thorn Shanker of the New York Times, who closely covered the invasion of Iraq, reviewed my account of it. David Zucchino of the Los Angeles Times and the scholar-diplomat David L. Phillips also read portions of what I wrote about Iraq.
I did not make every change that these experts suggested, so any remaining errors are my own responsibility. Their contribution to this book, however, was invaluable.
So were those of others who read all or part of my manuscript and offered insightful comments. Elmira Bayrasli, Sacha Brown, James Linkin, David Shuman, James M. Stone, and Chris Robling all gave trenchant advice and helped in various ways to shape the text.
Kate Barrett, a talented graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, contributed important research on Afghanistan. Grace Lewis and other librarians at the public library in Oak Park, Illinois, worked tirelessly to locate obscure books and articles. My agent, Nancy Love, provided faithful encouragement. Alex Ward deftly managed my transition from New York Times reporter to private citizen, counting on the generous cooperation of Bill Keller and other Times editors. Jeff Roth spent hours locating photos. Paul Golob edited the manuscript with a light but authoritative hand, and Brianna Smith worked on it at every stage.
Writing this book was an all-consuming exercise that required me to withdraw from most human society for an extended period. Those closest to me understood my obsession, and cheered me on rather than resenting my intense focus on figures from Queen Liliuokalani to Saddam Hussein. I am most grateful to them.