From first contact to the early 2000s. Mostly about the larger nations, mostly about economics and politics, and mostly about the 19th and 20th centuries. Countries like Uruguay, Honduras and Guatemala receive only passing mention. There are two chapters on literature and the arts which are a nice break from the almost interminable material on import substituting industrialization. Definitely concerned with the perspective of the powerful, consequently the indigenous are sidelined. Probably best seen as a stepping stone to more focused histories. ( )

I absolutely agree with Brendan. Amazing how little SA history one learned years ago in US schools

This book gave me a basic historical and cultural primer that, in retrospect, was vital to a better understanding of fiction/essays from Latin American authors as well as current events. On its own merits it was a really interesting read, it's amazing how little I learned about this part of the world in school and elsewhere in life. I found the similarities and differences with U.S. history particularly fascinating as many of the same historical pressures were experienced by both the north and the south, but in differing intensity or context, generating vastly different responses and outcomes.


( )

A magisterial and epic overview of the history of Latin America from the Conquest until 1989.

The author's interests focus mostly on the politico-economic realities in Latin America throughout these periods-- the Iberian influences and then the later Enlightenment/modernist influences. Art and literature of the last two hundred years is also described.

This book definitely goes beyond where most textbooks end; nevertheless, there is a significant "western"-style emphasis in this historical analysis, since it features the "great men" and focuses on the meta issues of politics and economics. This book helps to describe why Latin America is as it is and many of the factors leading to it, but is by no means comprehensive. ( )

Exceptionally informative and easy to read, this book is by far the best Latin American resource I've read. ( )