Latin America: A concise interpretive history - Softcover

Burns, E. Bradford

Softcover

ISBN 10: 013524322X ISBN 13: 9780135243220

Publisher: Prentice-Hall, 1982

Synopsis

For courses in Modern Latin America.

 

Organized thematically, this text offers a clear narrative that weaves together the story of an entire region, with coverage of broad themes and regional diffences.

 

Despite the great diversity within the Latin America, there is a common theme that characterizes the sweep of history in the region. The original author of the text, E. Bradford Burns, phrased the problem as the paradox that poor people inhabit rich lands. The reason for the paradox is that a tiny group of elites confuses the nation's well-being with their own. 

 

When this text was first published in 1972, there were very few texts on Latin America, and the ones that existed largely read like catalogs of historical events.  There are others now, but this textbook is still a leader in the market because of its clear thematic organization, a central narrative that tells a single story, albeit with many variations.

 

Co-author Julie A. Charlip is very committed to continuing his legacy.   Despite changes in research, interpretations, theories, etc., his basic premise is still the most accurate and succinct, providing the best framework for approaching the region.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Emphasizing the forces that shaped the past and reshape the present, this concise, interpretive, multidisciplinary survey sweeps through the history of Latin America as a region -- from the European conquest up to the present. It takes a thematic approach to the history, using individual case studies to illustrate each theme.

From the Back Cover:

This landmark volume of Latin American history weaves the history of an entire region into a coherent story that emphasizes both common themes and regional and national specificity. This unique narrative provides an interpretive history of modern Latin America with a focus on the central dynamic of Latin American history—the enigma of poor people inhabiting rich lands—while establishing a firm point of view that acts as a starting point for classroom debate and discussion.

The Seventh Edition of Latin America has been updated and modernized to reflect recent research and interpretations, as well as to provide expanded coverage of World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and late twentieth-century themes, thus offering students a more comprehensive view of important topics. Additional new features include:

• Primary Source Documents: providing students with readings that give the voices of Latin Americans a chance to speak for themselves.
• Stories of Latin American Women: offering a realistic view of the Latin American women's experience and influence.
• Postmodern Approaches: encouraging students to engage in deeper discussions about the material and class conditions existing in Latin America.
• Expanded Discussion of Current Topics: NAFTA, Chiapas, late 1970s-1980s military regimes, new social movements and election limitations.

About this edition

• Publisher: Prentice-Hall
• Publication date: 1982
• ISBN 10: 013524322X
• ISBN 13: 9780135243220
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 310