WHO SPOKE UP? is intended to be a readable exercise in popular history, its author's say, as well as a reference book for future studies. It is not, however--despite the details and the size of the tome--an academic work.
"I don't write academic books, because I write for a living, and people have to buy the books, so they have to be readable," says Zaroulis.
"I have this suspicion that academic writers start with a thesis and then marshal evidence to support that. We could have done that," Sullivan adds, "but that's left for others to do, and we hope people will use this book when they do."
It may have practical uses too, particularly with the rising American protests against the American military presence in Central America.
"There's our sequel," says Zaroulis.
"Don't say that," Sullivan adds quickly.