The Penguin History of Latin America

Edwin Williamson's Penguin History of Latin America is the best in field yet from the major publishers. Eschewing the campy marxist and the de rigeur post-constructionist "theories of exploitation," Williamson cuts to the chase with old fasioned British "political economics." He makes economically deterministic arguments for colonial administration, for protracted independency wars, for caudillismo, for liberal democracy, for neo-caudillism, and, finally, for neo-liberalism cum populism, post-Cold War style. Slightly disturbing is the absence of at least a pen sketch history of the less important countries, rather than subordinating these countries to adjunctive roles vis-a-vis the big ones. Highly refreshing is Williamson's non-use of tired exploitation and dependency theories, victimization rants, and villainization of "the military" in vaguely stated polemics. This is sophisticated history. It needs a few simple maps ao that it can be used as the introductory text for the "history of Latin America" courses. Williamson says that Latin America has a valid history of its own. Russell W. Ramsey, Ph.D., D. Min. Graduate Professor, History & Diplomacy Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

I am of European origin living here for a long time."the meeting of two cultures: of gentlemen who didn't like to work, with people that did`t invent the wheel nor writing."In a few words Mr. Williamson describes the reasons of my frustrations

An outstanding achievement. This history is valuable and unusual first for the extensive coverage of Latin America before the European arrival and secondly for the detail of the Spanish and Portuguese history that explains so much of the Columbus to Independence centuries. I was disappointed in the chapters on the twentieth century-they seemed to bog down in detail without structure. There is a shocking factual error in the chapter about the conflict in Central America in the 70s-80s-the author describes in detail the fictional assassination of Archbishop Romero on the steps of his cathedral, an event in films but not in life where he was shot saying mass in a hospital chapel. The kindle edition of this book has many errors of spelling, grammar, and incomplete sentences, not quite something on every page, but close.

The book describe the role that the Iberian peninsula played in Latin America as we see it today. It gives one a good feeling of how, after 300 years of Spanish occupation, the deposition of the king of Spain by Napoleon (and the movement of the royal court of Portugal to Brasil) played a role in the formation of the current states and current travails. With the political history an account is also given over time of trends in literature, poetry and music and its reflection of societies. The latter is a bit long winded, but, I must say, I found it quite fascinating.

Williamson is a Genius - the story he weaves is captivating and a joy to follow. I especially liked the sections on the growth of the societies involved and how that contributed to the rise of Intellectual pursuits and the Arts. I love this book so much I've given it to friends and followed its reading with Williamson's biography of Borges! The Penguin History is without question the perfect introduction to Latin America's rich and inspiring history!

One of our children is involved in the school academic club. In preparation for an upcoming competition is required to read this book. My spouse and I are glad to see the children involved in reading various forms of literature. For this review we can only say the book has met all expectations. Once our child has completed the competition we can obtain more details on the flow and content of the book.We purchased the book used and the quality was great! We will continue to purchase a mix of new and used books as appropriate for the usage and perceived length of ownership.

Pleased with my purchase

The history is concise but extremely difficult to read due to its very small print. This book has been assigned as the primary reading source for UIL academic contest in Texas, but I feel many will choose to not do the contest due to the book's lengthy passages. Several chapters feel like they take forever to finish, and its 700+ pages are very intimidating to teenage readers. Producing a larger version in print and size would help its readability. I did fine myself caught up in its history telling where some passages will inspire the reader to learn even more about the subject.

Originally published in 1992, this comprehensive history of Latin America includes a final section which takes the reader up to 2009. There is no doubt that Edwin Williamson is extremely knowledgeable about his subject. Unfortunately it is not always an easy read - I would have preferred it to be less of a reference work, and more of an historical narrative. However, in the early chapters, Williamson explains really well how the culture imposed by the Spanish and Portuguese invaders adversely affected the development of Latin America for years afterwards. His chapter on Latin American literature and art is also extremely informative. However, I would have liked to read more about the political and diplomatic relationships between the different countries, particularly in the nineteenth century. There is a disproportionate amount of the book devoted to the period from the 1970s on, no doubt due to the volume of material which was readily available to the author.On balance, given that my prior knowledge of Latin American history was very limited, I would have found it easier-going to have started with a shorter summary.

Should be called "A Socio-economic History".This is not a general history for the average reader.Simon Bolivar? Dismissed in little over a page, yet there is page after turgid page on the economic organisation of society during the colonial era.Gave up after 250 pages, having passed the apparently dull liberation of Latin America from Spain and Portugal.

This is a Comprehensive, well-written, well-researched book that provides an excellent account of the history of Latin America from Columbus onwards. Pre-columbian issues are covered where this helps to explain later interactions between colonists and the indigenous populations. The book is well-set out with the broad historical period broken down into relevant and manageable chapters. A particular strength of the book is the explanatory interweaving of developments in European politics and economics with the evolutionary course of Latin American history. Revelatory insights are offered on well-trodden topics such as interactions between colonists and "Indians", the role of the Catholic Church, and slavery. This, in my view, is an outstanding book and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who seeks insights into an area of historical discussion often neglected in mainstream works.

This is a terrific book. I've been reading it while travelling in Peru/Bolivia/Chile and I found that it gave me a fascinating insight into why things are the way they are. It covers a huge swathe of history in (for me) just the right level of detail - though I did skim read some of the stuff on the literary heritage. It is easy to read, very informative and leaves you with a taste for a bit more detail in the areas that especially interest you interested.

This is a sweeping panoramic review of Latin America, its origins and the momentous changes which occurred there once the Spanish conquistadores exploited the continent and left their mark for all time. This edition is of course out of date but still offers a general basic history. Williamson has produced a readable history on the development over 500 years and whets the appetite for more knowledge especially updated knowledge as Brazil awakens to become a powerful modern force in Latin America and the world, far outstripping her neighbours. Political change - always volatile in South America - needs to be reassessed in light of the Chavez regime and Argentina's turbulent existence. A fascinating continent it will always draw immense interest.