This book is a little dull and textbook-like. It's unfortunate since there are so few competent surveys of Latin American history. The problem is a complete lack of quotable, interesting contemporary observations. The narrative of the text is completely in the third person with an abundance of long sentences with pregnant phrases of a vague sociological tint. Witness: "The dramatic decline and forced relocation of the indigenous populations, the contemporary immigration thousands of Europeans whose claim of high status were not legitimized by association withe the conquest, the development of the African slave trade, and the rapid growth of a racially mixed population combined to overwhelm the social categories and economic arrangements established in the first decades of colonial rule." (P194, 4th ed.) With this in mind, this is a competent and fair text. it covers the racial and political aspects of the antecedents of Latin American underdevelopment, so If you have to read it for a class; read it. I think I'll look elsewhere for a more interesting and piquant text. ( )

The historical span on the book is from colonization to modern day. The storyline is chronological, and may help understand the events, divisions and discriminations that shaped Latin America up to now. Highly relevant these days, people who want to know more about Latin America may benefit from reading this book, published by the OUP (Oxford University Press). Academically sound, without being patronizing or one-sided, it's objectiveness and clear focus is an advantage. ( )

Johnson, Lyman L. (Author)