This work investigates the mechanisms of power and the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions under the dictatorship of Dr. François Duvalier in Haiti. Author Bernard Diederich, a journalist who resided in Haiti for fourteen years, utilizes his direct observations and extensive reporting to document the rise and consolidation of the Duvalier regime. The book argues that Duvalier’s rule was characterized by state-sponsored terror and the calculated manipulation of international relations, specifically undermining United States policy in the Caribbean.

Experts and historians frequently cite this work as a foundational primary source for understanding the political landscape of mid-century Haiti. Readers note the clinical, journalistic tone that provides a detailed record of the regime's internal operations.