Stephenson worked in Chile for nine years for the Council on International Educational Exchange, and is now director of Latin American and Caribbean studies for the School of International Training in Vermont. She offers scholars, teachers, students, travelers, and business people insights into the Spanish political and religious history, and the cultural diversity, of the nine Spanish-speaking countries of South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela). Individual chapters on each of the nine countries cover geographical and historical influences, analysis of the mix of peoples, specific cultural features, communication styles, and life and work in each country. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).