Beyond the War reconstructs the often-overlooked history of the Falkland Islands before the 1982 conflict. Drawing on impressions of Argentine travelers and the island community, as well as British and Argentine diplomacy and politics, it reveals a world of mutual suspicions and tensions, but also of exchanges and collaborations, challenging the notion that war was inevitable. The book situates the islands within the broader history of the British Empire's reconfiguration during the UN-driven decolonization era, showing how global changes resonated in this remote setting. It examines decisive episodes, from the unprecedented period opened by the 1971 Communications Agreement to the influence of Argentine popular music, while analyzing competing Argentine nationalisms that shaped an “emotional community” around the islands. Based on new and little-explored sources, it offers a fresh perspective on evolving relations between islanders and Argentines, as well as postwar transformations that continue to shape the islands' identity today.

‘This excellent and extremely well-documented book explores how, like the fog and clouds that frequently surround the South Atlantic islands, the relationship between Argentina, the UK, and the islanders has been obscured by a history of mistrust, stereotypes, political/economic interests and ambitions of all involved actors. Carassai masterfully unpacks this multi-dimensional shifting chess game in which neither conflict was inevitable, nor tensions prevented opportunities for exchanges and collaboration.’

Jorge Nállim - University of Manitoba

‘Creative and thought-provoking, Beyond the War brings new insights to the history of the Falkland Islands and Argentine attitudes towards them and shows the power of imagination to shape politics. Carassai skilfully exploits new sources to show the history of these islands and their significance in a fresh light.’

Helen Parr - University of Limerick

‘This book does what no other study has attempted. It ties historical research in a broad range of Argentine, British, Falklands, and other print sources for over a century with ethnographic research. Particularly gripping is the book’s novel attention to the long erased 1970s by hostile government narratives in the United Kingdom and Argentina when Argentines traveled frequently and unimpeded to the Falklands and islanders visited Argentina regularly.’

David M. K. Sheinin - Trent University