In 1979, the New JEWEL Movement overthrew the anti-communist dictator of Grenada. Under the leadership of Maurice Bishop, the NJM quickly got to work, increasing economic development while decreasing illiteracy and unemployment. Women were given equal pay, and discrimination on the basis of sex was outlawed. Various organizations for healthcare and education sprouted, and Bishop promoted ideals of self-sufficiency.

Bernard Coard met Bishop when they were 18, becoming friends. He later joined Bishop's NJM and participated in the coup, following Bishop into a leadership position. 

  
Internal disagreements would ultimately end the socialist government. Coard's faction were the hardliners compared to Bishop, favoring strengthening the military and ties to Cuba. Bishop, however, thought doing so would provoke US intervention. In his book, Coard writes how the Central Committee deemed Bishop unsuitable and therefore demanded joint-leadership with himself and Bishop. Bishop refused, and was soon placed under house arrest by Coard.

Bishop was a national hero. Protests broke out across Grenada, the total numbering as high as 30,000 - on an island of 100,000. Demonstrators broke Bishop out and took him to Fort Rupert, which they then seized control of. Coard sent the troops in, and several demonstrators were killed. Bishop and his ministers were executed by firing squad, the bodies burned in a pit. 

Shortly after, Coard was overthrown by General Hudson Austin. Austin was one of the earliest members of the NJM's military wing and a fellow participant of the 1979 revolution. Days later, American boots landed.

  
45 Grenadians and 21 Cubans were killed. Another 24 civilians were also killed, 18 of which died when the US bombed a mental hospital. The UN voted 108-9 to condemn the invasion, to which President Reagan responded, "it didn't upset my breakfast at all."

  
After the invasion, Coard was sentenced to death, commuted to life, and released in 2009. Hudson was released in 2008 and died in 2022 after a long struggle with cancer. 

Fidel Castro condemned Coard and his faction, blaming them for destroying the revolution. Of Bishop, he said, "It was impossible to imagine anyone more noble, modest, and unselfish." He ordered his troops not to support the new government during the invasion, only to act in self defense.

Bernard Coard pictured signing his book, 2017.  In 1983, as Deputy Prime Minister of communist Grenada, he overthrew PM Maurice Bishop. The resulting instability provided the casus belli for the US invasion.