War Against All Puerto Ricans

Revolution and Terror in America's Colony

By: Nelson A. Denis

Narrated by: Luis Vega

The powerful, untold story of the 1950 revolution in Puerto Rico and the long history of U.S. intervention on the island, that the New York Times says "could not be more timely."

In 1950, after over fifty years of military occupation and colonial rule, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico staged an unsuccessful armed insurrection against the United States. Violence swept through the island: assassins were sent to kill President Harry Truman, gunfights roared in eight towns, police stations and post offices were burned down. In order to suppress this uprising, the US Army deployed thousands of troops and bombarded two towns, marking the first time in history that the US government bombed its own citizens.

Nelson A. Denis tells this powerful story through the controversial life of Pedro Albizu Campos, who served as the president of the Nationalist Party. A lawyer, chemical engineer, and the first Puerto Rican to graduate from Harvard Law School, Albizu Campos was imprisoned for twenty-five years and died under mysterious circumstances. By tracing his life and death, Denis shows how the journey of Albizu Campos is part of a larger story of Puerto Rico and US colonialism.

Through oral histories, personal interviews, eyewitness accounts, congressional testimony, and recently declassified FBI files, War Against All Puerto Ricans tells the story of a forgotten revolution and its context in Puerto Rico's history, from the US invasion in 1898 to the modern-day struggle for self-determination. Denis provides an unflinching account of the gunfights, prison riots, political intrigue, FBI and CIA covert activity, and mass hysteria that accompanied this tumultuous period in Puerto Rican history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2015 Nelson A Denis (P)2025 Bold Type Books

Critic reviews

"As more than a half century of failed US policy toward Cuba comes to a slow end, Nelson Denis's fascinating new book is a timely reminder of that other island in the Caribbean that the United States took possession of in 1898: Puerto Rico. War Against All Puerto Ricans is a remarkable history of a forgotten national liberation movement and Washington's brutal pacification campaign.”—Greg Grandin, professor of history at New York University and author of The Empire of Necessity

"A meticulous and riveting account of the decades-long clash between the Puerto Rican independence movement, led by Pedro Albizu Campos, and the commonwealth's U.S.-appointed stewards, national police force, the FBI and, ultimately, the U.S. Army"—Ray Monell, New York Daily News

"In War Against All Puerto Ricans, Nelson Denis uncovers one of the darkest parts of America's domestic and foreign policy. Unfortunately, the policy continues today and is likely to continue for a long time. Unless we know our past, we can't see where we're going. War Against All Puerto Ricans is a powerful indictment...everyone should read it."—Arif Jamal, Washington Book Review

abuse from an oppressors

book good realizations what i learned well just proves my point about some folks whom consider them sleves superior well that same condition still exist. sad but the abuser still at large.

Knowing your history makes a difference

This book was well researched and very detailed so that You can get a vivid understanding of our history in the history of the relationship between the u.S and puerto rico which they always seem to brush over the truths. The reason behind.
This book and the action's second in its research and history should not be forgotten

War agains all Puerto Ricans

Maybe the best compilation of the gag law and the Life of Don Pedro Albisu Campos ever written.

Eye opening

No notes it was a experience I will not soon forget listening twice to make sure I got everything

Great narration

A heart breaking story, of the suffering of innocent people. A window to the realism of colonialism

The book is good, chapter 10 was long and terrible though

Book was interesting and had a lot of good info. Good listen. But the longest chapter in the book is about a heroin addict in New York.

Powerful story

Take it with a grain of salt because this is written from one perspective but this is a great historical compilation and history telling

Wow

I was born in PR, lived there until I was 9 and then my parents decided to move to USA. I never knew any of this history had happened in PR!! I think every Puerto Rican, and even if you’re not from PR if you’re into history or just want to be a little
More educated on the topic of PR, this is an excellent book to read. I started reading it and wow I haven’t stopped since. Really truly a great book! Please give it a shot!

Amazing

Omgoodness, I did not know all this History! Especially about Luis Muñoz Marin, they make him out to be such a Wonderful man. And they didn't know what he was Hiding. This book broke my Heart, certain chapters made me cry!! A wonderful read. I even bought bought it in Spanish for my Mom.