Latin American Civilization: "History and Society, 1492 to the Present"

The fourth edition of Latin American Civilization is a compact update of a classic book of readings that teachers and students of Latin American history have used and appreciated since its first appearance in 1955. Returning to the single-volume format, this edition combines the best of the old collection with new material on recent developments in Latin American politics and society. Particular care has been taken to bring the chapters on the twentieth century up to date. Among the new selections are pieces on the Church’s role in the Nicaraguan revolution, the Malvinas/Falklands war, the struggle for democracy in Argentina and Brazil, and women’s liberation in Cuba. The great majority of selections are primary materials. These personal narratives—many translated by Dr. Keen for this collection—convey the flavor and spirit of a period more vividly than official documents and are generally better written. Secondary works are used only when suitable contemporary material was not available. The brief introductions and headnotes, which provide students with background information on the authors and subject matter, have been updated to reflect the best recent scholarship. This lively, entertaining, and informative book is an excellent companion for all texts on Latin American history, although its organization and outlook conform most closely to that of Keen and Wasserman’s Short History of Latin America.

Table of Contents:
Preface -- Indian and Hispanic Origins -- Ancient America -- The Hispanic Background -- Spain in the Indies -- Conquest -- The Evolution of Spain’s Indian Policy -- The Economy of the Spanish Indies -- Government and Church in the Spanish Indies -- Class and Caste in the Spanish Colonies -- The Bourbon Reforms and Spanish America -- Colonial Culture and the Enlightenment -- Colonial Brazil -- The Formation of Colonial Brazil -- Government and Church in Colonial Brazil -- Masters and Slaves -- Latin America in the Nineteenth Century -- The Liberation of Latin America -- Dictators and Revolutions -- Brazil: From Empire to Republic -- Latin America in the Twentieth Century -- The Mexican Revolution -- Argentina: The Struggle for Democracy, 1890-1985 -- Republican Brazil: The Awakening Giant -- Latin American Roads to Socialism -- The Two Americas

About the Author :
The late Benjamin Keen was professor emeritus at Northern Illinois University. He authored several academic works, including The Aztec Image in Western Thought. He was the recipient of the 1985 Distinguished Service Award of the Conference on Latin American History.