Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia

This book exposes a hidden component/strategy behind US militarism - the "strategic island concept". In addition, it also shines a light on America's expansionist agenda which puts it on the same level as colonial empires. Both concepts have a sort of gag order placed on them, which explains why no one knows about them!I applaud Mr. Vine's work on the inhabitants of this island, the Chagosians. Too often, such displacement has been associated with ancient empires, but to hear of this occurring in the twentieth century should make us all pay more attention to the world around us.I particularly appreciated the extensive research. Wow, packed with so many examples, intertwining impressions and interpretations of this complex web ... fantastic. This is a great edition to anyone's history collection, or advanced studies in colonial policies.

This book details the tyranny of our "deep state", and that of the United Kingdom, as "we" kidnapped an indigenous people from their home in the eastern Indian Ocean in order to establish a military base for the purpose of defending against communist expansion in Southeast Asia. The real tragedy is the way these people were treated: simply dumped in a foreign country with no compensation or assistance from the receiving country. Absolutely shameful!

Liked facts about the entire scope / study of why Diego seemed important.

This is one of those books everyone should read at least once. It gives a deep insight into modern colonialism.

Albeit that a most restricted number of global people are, in fact, aware of the Diego Garcia saga and its top strategic existence, the book is consequently a must read for people interested in the United States Armed Forces activities which are deemed super secret and which exist around the globe. The book describes how the Super Powers may and have, in this case, completely abuse the lives of theresidents/ indigents as is the subject matter of the book, an island in an archipelago in the middle of the Indian ocean. The story is of a flagrant displacement and abuse of some 2000 humans and animals carried out by the British at the absolute order of the United States Government.The island inhabitants were rudely transported and disembarked a thousand mile away on an absolutely unfamiliar location, that of Mauricius Island.A resultant multi decades long litigation has never brought any acceptable closure and the B-52 top secret airport thrives as one of many such around the globe for the USA/USAF/USN. The news reports for the site are non ever. This is an excellent reading for those interrested in global military knowledge.

The true history of what and how the island was acquired by the British and given to the US. Now, why would the US have an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean miles from nowhere? Interesting.However, I agree that the US must at all times be wary of its enemies, no matter what form they take.

A great book about an extensive research. Not only about the specific incident - but also very illustrative of how thing happen inside military and government offices. A very interesting perspective if you want to understant how these operations and the people that run them think (or rather, don't think, just act, in fact). A little too much details about things past and consequences that no-one can do anything about anymore (chapters regarding a bit too much detail on the suffering of the islanders - about what, decades after, no one could change anymore) made me skip little bits here and there. But the insider view on militar and covert operations is most valuable and is described in a richness of detail that makes this book worth the 4-star rating.

Least favorite book I have purchased. It was boring.

This is a book that if read by UK parliamentarians should make a few of them go hot under the collar.How can a government that was prepared to go to war over the Falklands have simultaneously stolen a small group of Islands from it's inhabitants and given it to the Americans without so much as a guarantee for the former natives that they could enjoy British citizenship and have rights to stay in the UK?I think that there is something about the geophysical location that makes it imperative for the American Military to be there but what that is - goodness only knows.A thought provoking book, well written and well researched.

This is a detailed and well researched account of how UK and US governments conspired in the 1970's to ethnically cleanse a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Over 1000 people were forcibly removed from the Chagos Archipelago to make way for a huge US air and submarine base. It has been in the news recently because the government is trying to make things look better by declaring an MPA and using that as an excuse to prevent the Chagossians from returning.It's a sickening story that makes me ashamed to be British. I understand that David Vine is donating the royalties from this book to the Chagossian community.

A very detailed and informative account of the Chagos Archipelago and in particular Diego Garcia. It is an eye-opening history, and is well worth the read. It also blows the lid off the UK-US relationship, and also betrays the UK's foreign policy stance for what it really is - complete subservience to the US as well as betrayal of overseas "interests". Politics is indeed a filthy game.

Its amazing how quickly we forget about the shameful things we have done as a nation........................and oh so very quick to condemn otrhere

Good