For a quarter of a century, Tulio Halperín Donghi's Historia Contemporánea de América Latina has been the most influential and widely read general history of Latin America in the Spanish-speaking world. Unparalleled in scope, attentive to the paradoxes of Latin American reality, and known for its fine-grained interpretation, it is now available for the first time in English. Revised and updated by the author, superbly translated, this landmark of Latin American historiography will be accessible to an entirely new readership. Beginning with a survey of the late colonial landscape, The Contemporary History of Latin America traces the social, economic, and political development of the region to the late twentieth century, with special emphasis on the period since 1930. Chapters are organized chronologically, each beginning with a general description of social and economic developments in Latin America generally, followed by specific attention to political matters in each country. What emerges is a well-rounded and detailed picture of the forces at work throughout Latin American history. This book will be of great interest to all those seeking a general overview of modern Latin American history, and its distinctive Latin American voice will enhance its significance for all students of Latin American history.

Now available in a fully-revised and updated second edition, A History of Modern Latin America offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the rich cultural and political history of this vibrant region from the onset of independence to the present day. Includes coverage of the recent opening of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba as well as a new chapter exploring economic growth and environmental sustainability Balances accounts of the lives of prominent figures with those of ordinary people from a diverse array of social, racial, and ethnic backgrounds Features first-hand accounts, documents, and excerpts from fiction interspersed throughout the narrative to provide tangible examples of historical ideas Examines gender and its influence on political and economic change and the important role of popular culture, including music, art, sports, and movies, in the formation of Latin American cultural identity Includes all-new study questions and topics for discussion at the end of each chapter, plus comprehensive updates to the suggested readings

Explores the modern history of Latin America using an intersectional approach, newly revised and updated. A History of Modern Latin America: 1800 to the Present, Third Edition offers a lively account of the rich political, cultural, and social history of the independent nation-states of Latin America and the Caribbean. Viewing Latin American history through the lens of social class, gender, race, and ethnicity, this accessible textbook explores the complex set of personalities, issues, and events that intersect to form the Latin American historical landscape. Written in a clear and engaging narrative style, the fully updated third edition examines specific events in different nations and periods to illustrate broader historical trends and interpretations. Concise chapters feature first-hand accounts of the life history of both prominent and ordinary people to contextualize topics such as African slavery in the Americas, the struggle for Haitian independence, the patriarchal rules governing marriage in Brazil, the construction of the Panama Canal, indigenous uprisings in the Mexican Revolution, the impact of immigration on Latin American life, the opening of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, and more. Presents documents and excerpts from fiction to serve as concrete examples of historical ideas Examines gender and its influence on political and economic change Highlights the role of music, art, sports, movies, and other popular culture in the formation of Latin American cultural identity Includes a summary of European colonialism and an overview of Latin America in the 21st century Provides end-of-chapter review questions, discussion topics, and suggested readings Part of the popular Wiley Blackwell Concise History of the Modern World series, the third edition of A History of Modern Latin America: 1800 to the Present is an excellent textbook for introductory and intermediate undergraduate students as well as high school students taking advanced/honors Latin American history courses.

This book presents a cultural history of Latin America as seen through a symbolic good and a practice - the book, and the act of publication - two elements that have had an irrefutable power in shaping the modern world. The volume combines multiple theoretical approaches and empirical landscapes with the aim to comprehend how Latin American publishers became the protagonists of a symbolic unification of their continent from the 1930s through the 1970s. The Latin American focus responds to a central point in its history: the effective interdependence of the national cultures of the continent. Americanism, until the 1950s, or Latin Americanism, from the onset of the Cold War, were moral frameworks that guided publishers' thinking and actions and had concrete effects on the process of regional integration. The illustration of how Latin American publishing markets were articulated opens up broader and comparative questions regarding the ways in which the ideas embodied in books also sought to unify other cultural areas. The intersection of cultural, political and economic themes, as well as the style of writing, makes this book an interest to a wide reading public with historical and sociological sensitivity and global cultural curiosity.

Analysis of Latin America's economy focusing on development, covering the colonial roots of inequality, boom and bust cycles, labor markets, and fiscal and monetary policy. Latin America is richly endowed with natural resources, fertile land, and vibrant cultures. Yet the region remains much poorer than its neighbors to the north. Most Latin American countries have not achieved standards of living and stable institutions comparable to those found in developed countries, have experienced repeated boom-bust cycles, and remain heavily reliant on primary commodities. This book studies the historical roots of Latin America's contemporary economic and social development, focusing on poverty and income inequality dating back to colonial times. It addresses today's legacies of the market-friendly reforms that took hold in the 1980s and 1990s by examining successful stabilizations and homemade monetary and fiscal institutional reforms. It offers a detailed analysis of trade and financial liberalization, twenty–first century-growth, and the decline in poverty and income inequality. Finally, the book offers an overall analysis of inclusive growth policies for development—including gender issues and the informal sector—and the challenges that lie ahead for the region, with special attention to pressing demands by the vibrant and vocal middle class, youth unemployment, and indigenous populations.

Now in its third edition, this leading reader has been updated to make it even more relevant to the study of contemporary Latin America. This edition includes an entirely new chapter, "The New Left Turn," and the globalization chapter has been thoroughly revised to reflect the rapid pace of change over the past five years. The book continues to offer a rich variety of materials that can be tailored to the needs of individual instructors. By focusing each chapter on a single interpretive "problem," the book painlessly engages students in document analysis and introduces them to historiography. With its innovative combination of primary and secondary sources and editorial analysis, this text is designed specifically to stimulate critical thinking in a wide range of courses on Latin American history since independence.

Colombia is at a historic crossroads as its leaders implement peace accords that will end an undeclared but bitter civil war that has raged for more than half a century. Building a nation at peace will require the input and collaboration of both Colombians and the world community. Yet relatively little is known about Colombia in the United States and abroad. This deeply informed and accessible book traces the history of Colombia thematically over the past two centuries. In twelve interlinked chapters, Michael J. LaRosa and Germán R. Mejía depart from more standard approaches by presenting a history of political, social, and cultural accomplishments within the context of Colombia’s specific geographic and economic realities. Their emphasis on cultural development, international relations, and everyday life contrasts sharply with works that brand Colombia as a failed state, focusing on its violent past or on an economy deeply dependent on narcotics. Instead, the authors emphasize Colombia’s remarkable national cohesion and endurance since the early nineteenth century wars for independence. They explore two distinct eras: the “long nineteenth century” (1780–1899) and the “ongoing twentieth century” (1899–present). Including a photo essay, detailed chronology, and resource guide, this concise yet thorough history will be an invaluable resource for all those seeking a thoughtful, definitive interpretation of the rich heritage and dynamism that have characterized Colombia past and present.