El Salvador, as depicted in Everyone Who is Gone is Here, is presented as a country deeply scarred by its civil war, which lasted from 1980 to 1992 and was marked by state-sponsored violence, political repression, and widespread human rights abuses. The book illustrates the brutal conditions under the U.S.-backed, right-wing government, where death squads targeted clergy, activists, and rural campesinos. Key events, such as the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero and the violence at his funeral, reveal the pervasive fear and instability that characterized life during this period. Blitzer also details the personal impact of these conditions, such as the torture and exile of individuals like Juan Romagoza. Despite the hardships, El Salvador remains a place of cultural richness and enduring personal significance for those who fled, including many who strive to maintain connections to their homeland. By exploring El Salvador’s historical and political...