Understanding Central America: Global Forces, Rebellion, and Change

by John A. Booth, Thomas W. Walker, Christine J. Wade

Extensively revised and updated, Understanding Central Global Forces, Rebellion and Regime Change explains how domestic and global political and economic forces shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras from the 1970s. Providing the authoritative, comprehensive coverage students of Latin America, political science, and international relations require, John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker explore the origins and development of the region's political conflicts and efforts to resolve them. Through this comprehensive textbook, students can explore Central America's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward, providing a background for understanding rebellion and regime changes in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. This revised edition brings the Central American story up-to-date, with special emphasis on globalization, public opinion, progress toward democratic consolidation, and U.S. pressures on political and economic processes. The authors offer a thorough analysis of how global forces act on these small nations. A useful introduction to the region, organized to facilitate classroom discussion, and a model for how to convey the complexities of the region in language students will comprehend, Understanding Central America stands out as must-have resource.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 1989

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best general overview that I have read of the Central American wars of the 1970-80s. Unlike most other English-language books on Central America, this one does not place the United States at the center of the narrative, but rather analyzes the region's history on its own terms. (To use political science jargon, this is primarily a book about comparative politics rather than international relations). Of course the book does not ignore U.S. policy entirely -- such an approach would be impossible given the deep U.S. involvement in the region, and in fact there is an entire chapter devoted to the subject. But the book's primary focus is on the internal dynamics that led to the dramatic upheavals of the '70s-80s, and it handles the subject with clarity and depth.

A few warnings are in order, however. Since this is an academic volume, what you receive in terms of depth of analysis, you pay for in the sheer dryness of the prose. Also, the book's coverage does not extend to Panama. That being said, anyone looking for a relatively quick primer on the region would do well to start here. (My edition clocks in at less than 200 pages, not counting endnotes and appendices).

Mine is the 1999 edition (w/ the green cover). For what it's worth, I think highly enough of this book that I would definitely purchase the updated edition should the opportunity ever arise.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a thorough and well-researched history of Central American history and political processes, mostly in the 20th century up to 1998. The authors are detailed in their investigations that examine each country’s historical backdrop from the 19th century onwards, and how the economic and social developments of each nation contributed to their regime changes throughout the tumultuous 20th century, with each culminating in what the authors deem ‘civilian democracies’. They also examine the similarities and differences between the nations, and take a pointed but nonideological look at US involvement on the isthmus. It’s a good text to become familiarized with the recent history of Central America that is accessible and not too long.

[Athalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 6th edition (2015)

[Krysti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good primer in the politics of the region (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica). The book is too generic at times and I think I got more out of this book because I have already detailed accounts of Guatemalan history.

[Lionel]

I read part of this book for an Anthropology class in university. It didn't grab my attention and I have no intention of finishing it.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best writing