Every Arm Outstretched by Phil Halton

Every Arm Outstretched Reviews

• 
  Tom Callaghan

  I was initially attracted to the book from the setting of the Nicaraguan Revolution, something I have read about in history books but not in a fictional setting. The book does not disappoint in presenting a representation of the revolution.
  The human cost and pressures of war become clear as the story progresses, and the author does a good job of contrasting the lifestyles in Managua versus the rural peasants, as well as the tension between the revolutionary command and the local situation on the ground. Overall, a worthwhile read in an interesting setting.
• 
  Dorothy Pope

  I found this book compelling. I enjoyed the rich narrative and found the characters well-defined and believable. I don't know much about Nicaraguan history, but this novel made a segment of it come alive.
• 
  Julie

  I received this ebook through the Vorachious readers only website, in exchange for a review. I was surprised at how much i enjoyed this story. I'm now left with a desire to learn about the history of Nicaragua.
• 
  Phillip Kang

  Stories about guerilla warfare and violent revolutions aren’t my usual cup of tea. But recently I was given the opportunity to read a free ebook with what sounded like a gripping story framed in the Nicaraguan revolution in the late 70s. Since I knew almost nothing about that country or the upheaval it had experienced, I was intrigued and decided to take the risk (a safe one, I might add) to go for it. And I surprised myself by completing it.
  
  Every Arm Outstretched tells the story of two friends, Paco, a street musician and Ramon, a young man who got expelled from medical school. They got themselves drawn in unexpectedly into a fierce guerrilla war that evolved into a full blown revolution to overthrow a dictatorial and corrupt regime. Initially belonging to a column of fighters of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, they were suddenly thrust into leading the column when their leader was killed by government troops. Ramon became the leader and Paco became one of his trusted lieutenants.
  
  Halton’s harrowing tale recounts the struggles and hardship of the motley crew of discontents, zealots and peasants pitting its meagre strength against the might of the government’s National Guard in the jungles of Nicaragua. It’s wonderfully told as his narrative lends a realism that makes one feel as if one is in the thick of the action throughout the group’s armed struggle, internal conflicts, and successes.
  
  Paco strives hard to find the balance between fighting for a cause he becomes increasingly passionate about and maintaining his humanity. Bloodshed and violence inevitably happen, as it should, in a guerrilla war but he tries to temper these with acts of mercy, justice and fairness. So I like how the author portrays Paco as the one with a soft heart, willing to forgive minor breaches of discipline for the common good and caring for people under his command.
  
  If you, like me, don’t have much inkling of how guerrilla war is fought in the jungles but want to know more about it, this novel is probably a good place to start. Though fictional, the novel does pack a punch in delivering a credible tale.
  
  I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Craig DiLouie

  After reading Phil Halton’s THIS SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PEACE and finding it both courageous (it offered a nonpartisan view of the forming of the Taliban) and engaging, I checked out his other novel, EVERY ARM OUTSTRETCHED. In this novel, we see the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua in the Seventies from the perspective of a guerilla. I like this one even more, finding it again rare in perspective and highly realistic and engaging as military fiction.
  
  It’s the Seventies, and as the economy worsens in the Central American country of Nicaragua, criticism of Somoza, the country’s horrible far-right dictator, amplifies, which leads to brutal state repression. In Managua, Paco, a street musician, and Ramon, a playboy recently kicked out of medical school, find themselves targeted by the regime during a mass arrest of suspected leftists. On the run, they find themselves in a poorly equipped and trained guerilla unit in the jungle. Over time, they become leaders of a column, Ramon the inspired revolutionary and Paco the pragmatic guerilla fighter. Together, they will build an army that may topple a brutal dictator, though every step in the revolution brings a steadily mounting cost to their humanity.
  
  I loved this book. Reading it, I was reminded of Steven Soderbergh’s cinema verite film CHE; like Che Guevara, Ramon is a doctor and is similarly inspired in his rhetoric and thinking and innovative with his tactics. Where CHE often feels like a documentary, however, Halton’s novel goes far deeper into the anguish, decisions, and hopes of a guerilla fighter, drawing you in to experience the story and truly root for the protagonists. EVERY ARM OUTSTRETCHED is also quite believable–historically accurate without info dumping, exciting but without romanticizing violence, and with the ultimate stakes: patria o muerte–basically translating as, we will win our homeland or die trying.
  
  These two books turned me into something of a Phil Halton fan. This former Canadian Forces officer who served in hot spots around the world offers two works of historical/military fiction that simultaneously showed me pieces of history from a different perspective and culture while providing a compelling and engaging story.
• 
  Mc Chanster

  So I’m going to start this review by saying this book was out of my usual comfort zone. I’m not partial to most books that revolve around politics, but there was something about this one that really drew me in, even just from the blurb.
  
  Every Arm Outstretched follows Paco – a Nicaraguan musician just trying to make ends meet busking and playing where he can to make money. He’s not political, but he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and he’s forced to choose a side. Now part of the revolution, Paco finds himself challenged physically, and emotionally, as he fights for a future for not just himself, but also for all those around him.
  
  This book was wonderfully told. While I know the events revolving around this novel was violent and tragic, there is an ingrained sense of humanity within the pages. I was pulled into the story and walked with Paco as he moved from camp to camp, also wishing better for him and his people. Halton had a wonderful way of creating characters that were both removed, but also easily relatable. Great book and so glad I took a chance!
  
  Thank you Voracious Readers and Phil Halton for my copy!
  
• 
  Northern Light

  Nicaragua 1978 and Paco is a street musician. Through unforseen circumstances he ends up with the guerilla movement.
  
  I knew little about this time in history and this is not my usual genre. However there was something about this book that drew me to it and it didn't fail me.
  
  We travel through the country with men with varying degrees of experience and weaponry as they attempt to take the country for the ordinary people.
  
  It's a rollercoaster read as we have successes when the men gain but sadly there are times when men are killed.
  
  The scenes in the jungle are well written and transport the reader to experience the privations with them. In particular I enjoyed the interpersonal relationships between the men as they jockey for position.
  
  All in all this book will appeal to those who like me want to learn about this important time.
  
  I received this book for free and the views expressed are solely my own
• 
  Marci

  While I was once related (by marriage) to a man who fought in the Nicaraguan Revolution, I really knew very little about the why and how. As an aficianado of all things related to the American Revolution, I recognized in these character-soldiers that same spirit that caused Hamilton and friends to rise up: a desire for freedom, and a frustration with a ruling class (especially one as corrupt and violent as Nicaragua in the 70s). Their goal is a socialist society, as explained by his comrade: "No country as rich as ours should have a single citizen who goes hungry...I'm not willing to merely die to defend my ideas, but I am willing if that is what it takes to make them a reality."
  
  I was immediately intriqued by the opening - a man, elderly, wheelchair-bound, is describing his surroundings: "It wasn't a prison, though some days it felt like one." Then the story begins with an attention to detail that remains present throughout the book. Phil Halton's writing really has a sensory feel - the way he describes the feel of the air, the color of a wall, the sound of an instrument - it is very easy to close your eyes and imagine his settings. Our main protagonist, Paco, is trying to eke out a living as a musician, when a friendship with a young troubled medical student named Ramon (later Fosforo) leads him from drunken parties and girl-chasing to a "wrong place, wrong time" situation. Initially a reluctant fighter, as he gains experience and goes through his political awakening, he rises through the ranks to become a national figure. His story is told in nostalgic flashbacks - he is recalling personal memories, with the wish that a young writer record them.
  
  This is a well-written book, although at times it felt a bit too bogged down in details. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline, I learned a lot about the Revolution, and I thought the ending, especially, was very fitting. I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens, in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Georgina Power

  Thank you to the author for a gifted eBook in exchange for an honest review
  
  “¡Viva Nicaragua, viva el pueblo, y vivan los trabajadores!”
  “Live Nicaragua, Live the people and live the workers”
  
  Every Arm Outstretched is a historical fiction book that follows our main character Paco as he recalls his story and part in the FSLN (Frente Sandanista de Liberacion Nacional) movement to overthrow the Somoza dynasty. The story starts with Ruben wishing for Paco to take part in a remembrance parade for Liberation Day, however he compromises to take part if Ruben will listen to his story. We start with Paco during his busking days in Managua, where he meets Ramon, and by circumstance and a government crackdown in the streets, they are forced to choose a political side for survival and the two become tangled with the FSLN, gradually becoming guerrillas in part of the revolution.
  
  Every Arm Outstretched is a very fast paced book with tremendous world building, from the inner-city life of the buskers, to the nit and gritty lifestyle and terrain of being a guerrilla and learning to survive in the jungles and under cover. It really felt like I was witnessing the revolution ongoing throughout the book, it worked very well to have the reader experience the People’s suffering from dealing with everyday life for those within the movement as well as showing the constant battle for survival and the poor living conditions and daily struggles of the common people. Not to mention the reactions and consequence of war, just take into consideration what happened in Hacienda Inocentes.
  
  I found that the character development was phenomenal especially that of both Paco and Ramon (Fosforo) you truly felt their pain at the decisions they had to make and the situations they found themselves in. It was a very interesting read to see the development and changes within their friendship, especially the way the book ends. I feel that Every Arm Outstretched completely pulls at my heartstrings, there were many points in this book that I found myself upset at characters’ deaths and the true nature of war, there is no fairy tales in this book which adds to the raw authenticity of the plot and narration. In addition, the fact that the author was able to highlight in the book that everyone is a victim of war, those within the movement and those who are in the Guardia Nacional, as everyone is doing what they can to survive.
  
  There were many times that I found myself mad at the characters, I found some of them to be untrustworthy and hypocritical at times, and often unsure and at odds of their trajectory, I felt that this was intentional by the author, leading to us to question the characters humanity as who is able to determine right from wrong, or what is considered justice when the society they live in is corrupt, the writing in this book to cover this in incredible.
  
  I find that this book really works well, and it really highlights history that is not very well known, as personally I was not aware of the FSLN movement, and this book prompted and encouraged me to learn more, which I find to be a massive positive point for a historical fiction book to make the readers do this.
  
  My only downside of this book is that there are numerous Spanish quotes and comments, which adds to the authenticity of the book, but had me “google translating” quite often.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction, and those who are willing to learn about foreign studies as it is so easy to become engrossed in this book and its plot, especially when the author has achieved in making the book feel very authentic and realistic, you feel those experiences and taking you to that environment, I feel the need to mention that there is a trigger warning in this book for descriptions of violence and war battles/wounds.
  
• 
  Elizabeth

  I got this book as an ARC from Book Sirens. I would have rated the book more harshly had that not been the case.
  
  This is a story of Ramon and Paco and the revolution in Nicaragua in the late 1970’s. I have no idea if it is based on fact, I tend to doubt it. It is derivative of The Motorcycle Diaries in its depictions of Ramon (Che) and Paco (Alberto). Ramon comes from a wealthy family, pulls a prank on a doctor professor which gets him kicked out of medical school. Although he had only recently become acquainted with Paco, they become fast friends because Paco informs him about an empty spot at his Pensione. They spend the summer together busking to earn enough money for their rent and food. The area in which they live and hang out is a left leaning area, full of artists and students. When the government starts to crack down on these people, Ramon and Paco are forced to escape from Managua. The influential person who gets them out is one of the leaders of the revolution and in order to get his help they need to agree to join. They do, their “column” gets attacked after a short period and the leader and most of the “column” is killed. There are six people left including Ramon and Paco. Ramon becomes the leader because of his charismatic nature and Paco becomes the trusty wise sidekick. There are lots of cliches and convenient coincidences throughout the story.
  
  Much of the suspense of the novel is removed in the beginning because it is presented as Paco as an old man telling the story to a party functionary. Thus we know that Paco will survive and the Revolution succeeds from the very beginning.
  
  The story proceeds at a good pace and I did want to find out what happened next. The predictability and cliched characters were a disappointment
• 
  bookhoarder_neha ( Neha Modi )

  My knowledge of Guerrilla Warfare was limited to what I read in school. But thanks to this book and the author for such detailed and picturesque description of the warfare technique.
  
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  Every Arm Outstretched is the story of two friends Paco, who is a street singer/performer and Ramon, who is an expelled medical student. Paco and Ramon are poles apart in their personality and thought process yet they become thick of friends.
  
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  While in their blissful youth, they find themselves in the middle of the Nicaragua Revolution of the 1970s to oppose the rising dictator, Somoza, led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front.
  
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  While they escape, they fight like commoners and through a sudden turn of events Ramon is now leading the revolution with his trusted friend Paco by his side.
  
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  The story begins at a slow pace but gradually becomes gripping and insightful. I had absolutely zero knowledge about the Nicaragua Revolution and while reading the book, I looked up the details of the Nicaragua Revolution.
  
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  I recommend this book to know more about the Guerrilla Warfare and the political turmoil in Nicaragua during those times.
• 
  Laura Lipton

  This book from VRO was very interesting to read. The story of the revolution in Nicaragua is complex and the suffering of the people, the corruption, and the reasons behind this fight is well explained. The only part that is lacking is the role of the U. S. In supporting and funding the corrupt government.
  Overall the characters are well drawn and believable.