A History of Modern Latin America: 1800 to the Present examines the diverse and interlocking experiences of people of indigenous, African, and European backgrounds from the onset of independence until the present day. The book analyzes the major and minor political events that shaped Latin American history, while portraying the everyday lives of men and women from a variety of class, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
Many of the broad themes of recent Latin American history - modernization, dependency, revolution, and neoliberalism - are constantly challenged by attention to the area's diversity. By interspersing accounts of the prominent and well known with the more commonplace, this new history enriches Latin America's master narrative with vivid and revealing portraits of ordinary people. In particular, Meade addresses the role of gender and its influence on stimulating political and economic change. Also examined is the crucial role of popular culture - music, art, sports, and the movies - in shaping a broad and vibrant Latin American cultural identity. With an engaging combination of personal histories interwoven with historical analysis, A History of Modern Latin America strikes a perfect balance in its presentation of the tumultuous years of post-colonial Latin America.
