Latin America in the Era of the Cuban Revolution and Beyond - 4th Edition by Thomas C Wright (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Examining how the Cuban Revolution dictated Latin American politics and U.S.-Latin American relations from the 1950s to the present, this fourth edition engages with the question: is the Cuban Revolution dead?

Fidel Castro's ascent to power and the revolution he led in Cuba not only catalyzed a wave of revolutionary activity; it also set off a wave of reaction that led to widespread military dictatorships and severe repression culminating in state terrorism. Both revolution and reaction were essentially over by 1990, and yet long-term effects of the Cuban Revolution continue to influence the modern era.

Latin America in the Era of the Cuban Revolution and Beyond covers the events of the Cuban Revolution itself, the resulting radicalization of Latin American politics, the United States' responses to the threat of communist expansion in the region, and rural and urban guerrilla warfare that were spawned by the Cuban Revolution. It also addresses the very different but incomplete revolutions in Peru, Chile, and Nicaragua, the rise of state terrorism in response to the threat of revolution, and major developments after 1990. This fourth edition includes a new chapter with expanded coverage of women's political representation, the continued rise of authoritarianism, Mexican democratization, the "Pink Tide" of recent leftist governments, including those of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Evo Morales in Bolivia, and Cuban politics in the post-Castro era. The revised edition features maps of the region as well as updated further reading sections following each chapter.

Review Quotes

Appropriate for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses, this book provides an excellent overview of the intersection of the rise of guerrilla movements in late-20th century Latin America with the key changes in inter-American relations that flowed from the flowering of those movements around the region. In addition, the author does a fine job in bringing the story up to the present. The book is written in an accessible manner, and certainly would be of interest to the lay public as well.
James Siekmeier, Professor of History, West Virginia University, USA

Wright's updated edition of his classic Latin America in the Era of the Cuban Revolution expands his analysis to include the region's present-day challenges. This book continues to be required reading for all those who wish to understand the Cuban Revolution and its immense regional impact. Both students and scholars will benefit from Wright's insights.
Renata Keller, Associate Professor of History, University of Nevada, Reno, USA

About the Author

Thomas C. Wright is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.