The first comprehensive history of the Western Hemisphere, a five-century narrative of North and South America that redefines our understanding of both.
Grandin is such a terrific writer and perceptive historian that I was swept along by his enthralling narrative. Yet his insistence on the indomitable spirit of Latin American humanism is so broad that it sometimes verges on the sentimental ... In terms of domestic politics, though, it’s been an altogether different story. Grandin knows this, however reluctant he is to allow it to complicate his inspiring thesis. He contends that responsibility for the continent’s travails lies elsewhere ... But all of the 'to be sure' caveats can’t quite cover reality’s rough edges. Grandin has written so brilliantly about the perils of mythological thinking that it’s jarring to see him wrestle with his own.
Excellent ... Grandin...is one of the best historians today at writing for both scholars and the general public. This is an extraordinarily ambitious book.
An expansive continental history ... By the end of the book, Grandin has essentially identified the Latin American tradition with social-democratic reforms and Washington with efforts to smash them. That shoe fits often enough, and the book makes a convincing case to appreciate the Latin American intellectual and diplomatic traditions it highlights ... The book’s story is too tidy to make room for challenging questions ... Working in an oversimplified frame, Grandin comes to a conclusion plagued by exaggerations.
