This chronicle and interpretation of recent military and political events in the Dominican Republic analyses the political behaviour of the country's armed forces and scrutinises policies put in action since the nation's civil war and the subsequent U.S. intervention of 1965. Dr. Atkins covers the course of Joaquin Balaguer's lengthy presidency, the remarkable events surrounding the 1978 election of President Antonio Guzman, and the first months of Guzman's administration, with particular attention being given to the role of the armed forces in political processes. In describing the Dominican experience with arms and politics, Dr. Atkins notes that it is a case of noninstitutionalised civil-military relations revolving around the president, his key associates, and the officers of the military.