Latin America in the Modern World is the first text to situate the history of Latin American into a wider, global narrative, and it does so without de-emphasizing the distinctive experiences of each of the Latin American countries. Focusing on five themes - state formation; the construction ofnational identity through popular culture and religion; economics and commodities; race, class, and gender; and the environment, and written by leading scholars, Latin America in the Modern World provides students today with an entry point into understanding this vital region. The authors emphasizethe distictive experiences of each of the Latin American countries. Instead of suggesting that all Latin American nations have an interchangeable heritage, the authors seek to clearly identify themes, topics, people and intellectual currents that help to knit the history of modern Latin America intoa coherent category of study. The book would not serve students well if it focused primarily on the history of the three largest countries (Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina) to the neglect of others like the Central American and Andean nations. As a consequence, case studies from almost all of the countries are included at somepoint in the narrative when their history seems to illuminate a theme or idea particularly effectively. In this fashion, students will come to appreciate the great diversity of history and culture within the Latin American region, while simultaneously understanding how it fits into the streams andcurrents of world history and events more broadly.

"A Higher Education history textbook on Latin America"--

Now in its sixth edition, Modern Latin America is a lively interpretive history and the leading text in the field. Thoroughly updated and revised, the book includes a new chapter on the history of Colombia from the wars of independence to the violent conflicts of the present day. It also examines such topics as:* the impact of 9/11 on U.S.-Latin American relations* globalization* drug trafficking* women's roles in society and politics* the fragility and uncertainty of democracy in Latin AmericaThe book features sociocultural sections and boxes in nearly every chapter, covering such diverse areas as the psychology of exile, Santeria in Cuba, baseball in the Dominican Republic, and the popularity of Latin music in the U.S. All political and economic information has been updated. As in earlier editions, the authors use an in-depth case study approach that guides readers through the major countries of Latin America, highlighting central themes including European-New World interaction, racial mixtures, military takeovers, and United States intervention in the area. With an insightful look into the future, Modern Latin America, Sixth Edition, will continue to be an exceptional text for undergraduate courses on contemporary Latin American history, society, and politics.

[In this book, the author's] analysis of the effects and causes of capitalist underdevelopment in Latin America present [an] account of ... Latin American history. [The author] shows how foreign companies reaped huge profits through their operations in Latin America. He explains the politics of the Latin American bourgeoisies and their subservience to foreign powers, and how they interacted to create increasingly unequal capitalist societies in Latin America.-Back cover.

Now in its fifth edition, this leading reader has been updated with new readings and visual sources. This edition includes an added final chapter on current social movements to help students reflect on the ecological realities that inform their world. In addition, the “Legacies of Colonialism” chapter has been restored to give students an understanding of the deep roots of the problems explored. Instead of a separate chapter on women and social change, women’s voices have been woven more seamlessly throughout the book to reflect women’s parity and equity in history. With its innovative combination of primary and secondary sources and thoughtful editorial analysis, this text is designed specifically to stimulate critical thinking in a wide range of courses on Latin American history since independence.

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