Thomas C. Wright is distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.Robert L. Smale is associate professor of history at the University of Missouri.

• AcknowledgmentsAcronymsMap of Mexico, Central America, and the CaribbeanMap of South AmericaIntroductionPart I: Colonial Roots1Origins of the Colonial LegaciesPart II: Independence and Its Challenges, 1790s–1870s2The Independence of Latin America3The Age of CaudillosReflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1790s–1870sPart III: Exports, Oligarchies, and Yankees, 1870s–19304The Export Economies5Political Consolidation and Social Change6Rise of the YankeeReflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1870s–1930Part IV: Revolution, Depression, and Cold War, 1930–19597The Mexican Revolution8Depression, Political Change, and Cold WarReflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1930–1959Part V: Revolution and Reaction, 1959–20009The Cuban Revolution10 The Cuban Revolution, Latin America, and the United States11 Repression, State Terrorism, and NeoliberalismReflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1959–2000Part VI: Contemporary Latin America, 2000–Present12 The Colonial Legacies in the Twenty-First CenturyReflections on the Colonial Legacies, 2000–PresentConclusion: Colonial Legacies and Today’s Latin AmericaSelect Bibliography: Books in EnglishIndex

Thomas C. Wright and Robert L. Smale have written an engaging, intelligent, and valuable history of modern Latin America that will benefit students and specialists alike. Latin American since Independence places the region in a global context but also captures its great diversity and dynamism.