What is Latin American History?

Latin American History is the study of the development of Latin America, including social history, cultural turn, slavery, indigenous peoples, race, environment, science, medicine, and gender. It offers a broad overview of the key social, cultural, and political forces that have shaped Latin America and its study.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2021
Publisher: Polity Press

Latin American history is a vibrant and dynamic field of study that encompasses the development of the region in North America, Latin America, and Europe. This comprehensive overview explores the growth of the topic from the 1960s to the present day, focusing on the past half-century. Marshall Eakin begins by providing a brief sketch of the historical development of Latin American studies, highlighting the significant contributions of scholars such as Eduardo Galeano and C. Wright Mills.

In the second part of the book, Eakin delves into the past half-century, examining the shift from social history to the cultural turn. He surveys innovative work on various topics, including slavery, indigenous peoples, race, the environment, science, medicine, and gender. These topics are approached from a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing on a range of sources and methodologies.

One of the key themes of the book is the emergence of the concepts of borderlands, the Atlantic world, and transnational history. These concepts challenge the traditional understanding of Latin America as a unified region and offer new ways of understanding the complex relationships between different parts of the world. Eakin discusses how these concepts have enriched our understanding of Latin American history and historiography, while also raising important questions about the boundaries and identities of the region.

The book concludes with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Latin American history and historiography. Eakin notes that the field is still evolving and expanding, with new research and perspectives emerging all the time. He encourages scholars to continue to explore the rich and complex history of Latin America, while also recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the need to engage with a broader audience.

In summary, Latin American history is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that has undergone significant development in the past half-century. This concise volume offers a comprehensive overview of the topic, exploring the growth of the field, the shift from social history to the cultural turn, and the emergence of new concepts that challenge traditional understandings of the region. It is an essential resource for students, scholars, and the general reader interested in learning more about Latin America and its rich history.

Weight: 242g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509538522