In spite of its title, this book is actually a survey of United States-Argentine relations during and immediately after World War II. Its chief contribution is to restore some balance to the picture of Ambassador Spruille Braden’s role in Argentine domestic politics. Frank reminds us that in 1944 and 1945 the interest of the United States Embassy in the restoration of democratic institutions in Argentina was quite welcome, and not only to the fat ladies of the oligarchy (as Peronist and other Argentine historians would later claim), but to liberal, labor, and intellectual groups, as well as to the Radical and Socialist parties.
There is, however, so very little that is new here that one cannot help wondering why a scholar of such obvious industry and dedication did not look elsewhere for a topic. In spite of assurances in the flyleaf that research for the book was carried on in "New York, Washington, and Buenos Aires,” it could easily have been assembled in any decent academic library in the heartlands. Especially disappointing is the author’s treatment of the Blue Book itself. Since presumably it is the centerpiece, it would be interesting to know how it was put together, and, above all, whether its allegations of Nazi connections with the revolution of 1943 are actually substantiated by documents that, by now at least, are readily available in microfilm. Instead, Frank quickly summarizes its content as if there were no reason to explore further, then plunges back into a narrative whose style shifts rather disconcertingly back and forth between mock-Augustan and gossip column. There is still room for at least a solid article on the Blue Book; perhaps Frank will yet write it.