Latin American History
I would like to learn more about the history of Latin America. Can anyone recommend books or good historical novels that cover critical periods of Latin American history or the histories of individual countries? Are there any good films (in English or with subtitles) that you would recommend?
Thanks in advance!
8 Answers
If you want a book about history (no fiction) I would recomend "Las Venas Abiertas de Latino America" ("The Open Veins of Latin America"). It will probably be depressing to read, but it is factual.
I know I probably should not answer my own question, but I wanted to mention a book by Isabel Allende that I read recently: "Inéz of my Heart". It is available in Spanish and in English. This is a fictionalized account of one of the founding mothers of Chile, Inéz Suárez. Of course her other historical novels are all good reads, too, but this is my favorite Allende book yet.
One of my favorite books is: Aztec by Gary Jennings. In this historic novel the author portrayed the life of all Mexican regions prior the arrival of the Spanish conquers. Another book that I’ll recommend is: Tlacaelel, El Azteca entre los Aztecas by Antonio Velasco Piña. I’n not sure if you could find this one in English; but if you could read in Spanish, this book is awesome.
The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico, by Bernal Diaz del Castillo. Bernal was one of the conquistadors who actually took part in the expedition right up to the fall of the Aztec capital. It's a fantastic read and not marred by any stupid political correctness that modern historians use when covering the period.
Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life by Jon Lee Anderson
My sister just emailed me yesterday and said that she is reading "1491", which is a book about the indigenous peoples of Latin America prior to the arrival of the Europeans. She highly recommended it to me, so I will pass her recommendation on to you.
I don't know if you are to the point of being able to read full length novels in Spanish yet, but historical novels by Francisco Martin Moreno (Mexican) are very excellent and heavily footnoted (in other words, they are historically accurate!). I am not aware that he is translated into English (yet!)
Barbara Kingsolver's new best-selling novel, The Lacuna, is historical fiction at its best.
It's about a crucial, revolutionary period in Mexico's history and features colorful writing about Diego Rivera, Frida Kalo, and Leon Trotsky. It's an eyeopener, written in a witty style.
Highly recommended.
Caribbean and México, both historical novels by James A. Michener
