Michael L. Conniff is Professor Emeritus of History at San José State University. His recent publications include A New History of Modern Latin America (2017, with Lawrence Clayton and Susan Gauss), Panama and the United States (2012), and Populism in Latin America (2nd edition, 2012). Gene E. Bigler is a retired US Foreign Service Officer who was instrumental in the transition of control of the Panama Canal Zone from the US to Panama. He has also taught political science and public policy analysis at The Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, the Instituto de Estudios de Administracion (IESA) in Caracas, Venezuela, and at other institutions in the US and Latin America.

• List of figures and tables; Prologue; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction to modern Panama; Part I: 2. The 1980s: a halting transition toward democracy; 3. The Endara Administration: civilians learned to prevail; 4. The Pérez Balladares Administration: return of the PRD; Part II: 5. The Moscoso Administration: millennial transitions; 6. The Torrijos Administration: uneven progress spread discontent; 7. Panama's canal: better than ever; 8. The Martinelli Administration: trouble in boom times; 9. The Varela Administration: toward a more humane society; 10. Conclusions; Interviews by authors; Unpublished documentary sources; Bibliography; Index.

'The authors, recognized experts on Panama, have produced a highly readable and thoroughly researched book covering Panama's emergence into full stature as a regional leader. The work is especially worthwhile for its outstanding exposition of the transformation of the Panama Canal from a US utility to a world-class example of business and engineering expertise. The twists and turns of twenty-first century Panamanian politics - successes, challenges, promises, and disasters - are covered in fascinating detail. An excellent and informative read for all those interested in Latin America and (especially) for Canal aficionados.' Linda Watt, Former US Ambassador to Panama

Michael L. Conniff is Professor Emeritus of History at San José State University. His recent publications include A New History of Modern Latin America (2017, with Lawrence Clayton and Susan Gauss), Panama and the United States (2012), and Populism in Latin America (2nd edition, 2012). Gene E. Bigler is a retired US Foreign Service Officer who was instrumental in the transition of control of the Panama Canal Zone from the US to Panama. He has also taught political science and public policy analysis at The Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, the Instituto de Estudios de Administracion (IESA) in Caracas, Venezuela, and at other institutions in the US and Latin America.

• List of figures and tables; Prologue; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction to modern Panama; Part I: 2. The 1980s: a halting transition toward democracy; 3. The Endara Administration: civilians learned to prevail; 4. The Pérez Balladares Administration: return of the PRD; Part II: 5. The Moscoso Administration: millennial transitions; 6. The Torrijos Administration: uneven progress spread discontent; 7. Panama's canal: better than ever; 8. The Martinelli Administration: trouble in boom times; 9. The Varela Administration: toward a more humane society; 10. Conclusions; Interviews by authors; Unpublished documentary sources; Bibliography; Index.

'The authors, recognized experts on Panama, have produced a highly readable and thoroughly researched book covering Panama's emergence into full stature as a regional leader. The work is especially worthwhile for its outstanding exposition of the transformation of the Panama Canal from a US utility to a world-class example of business and engineering expertise. The twists and turns of twenty-first century Panamanian politics - successes, challenges, promises, and disasters - are covered in fascinating detail. An excellent and informative read for all those interested in Latin America and (especially) for Canal aficionados.' Linda Watt, Former US Ambassador to Panama

Michael L. Conniff is Professor Emeritus of History at San José State University. His recent publications include A New History of Modern Latin America (2017, with Lawrence Clayton and Susan Gauss), Panama and the United States (2012), and Populism in Latin America (2nd edition, 2012). Gene E. Bigler is a retired US Foreign Service Officer who was instrumental in the transition of control of the Panama Canal Zone from the US to Panama. He has also taught political science and public policy analysis at The Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, the Instituto de Estudios de Administracion (IESA) in Caracas, Venezuela, and at other institutions in the US and Latin America.

• List of figures and tables; Prologue; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction to modern Panama; Part I: 2. The 1980s: a halting transition toward democracy; 3. The Endara Administration: civilians learned to prevail; 4. The Pérez Balladares Administration: return of the PRD; Part II: 5. The Moscoso Administration: millennial transitions; 6. The Torrijos Administration: uneven progress spread discontent; 7. Panama's canal: better than ever; 8. The Martinelli Administration: trouble in boom times; 9. The Varela Administration: toward a more humane society; 10. Conclusions; Interviews by authors; Unpublished documentary sources; Bibliography; Index.

'The authors, recognized experts on Panama, have produced a highly readable and thoroughly researched book covering Panama's emergence into full stature as a regional leader. The work is especially worthwhile for its outstanding exposition of the transformation of the Panama Canal from a US utility to a world-class example of business and engineering expertise. The twists and turns of twenty-first century Panamanian politics - successes, challenges, promises, and disasters - are covered in fascinating detail. An excellent and informative read for all those interested in Latin America and (especially) for Canal aficionados.' Linda Watt, Former US Ambassador to Panama