Latin America . By William R. Shepherd , Professor of History  in Columbia University. (Home University Library. Henry  Holt and Company, New York. 1914. Pp. 256. 50 cents net.)

Professor Shepherd's little book on Latin America constitutes a valuable addition to the Home University Library series. In a work of this scope the author can scarcely give more than an introduction to a more exhaustive study of the individual countries of Latin America, and details are necessarily subordinated to general characteristics common to the whole region. Owing to Professor Shepherd's intimate personal knowledge of the field, however, the book is unusually free from unsound generalizations.

The first six chapters of the book are devoted to a description of the colonial period of Latin America. The expansion of Spain and Portugal into the new world is briefly traced, and such topics as colonial government, social and economic conditions, the church, and education are discussed with some fullness. The author has evidently considered the history of Latin America as a subject of minor importance. Only twelve pages are given to the wars of independence, while the historical development since that period up to recent times has been summarized in some fifteen pages. Thus the political history of modern Latin America has been almost entirely ignored, but it is safe to say that the book has suffered in no way from such omission.

The emphasis of the work is laid upon the present-day conditions of Latin America. By condensing the historical narrative, the author has been able to treat this portion somewhat more in detail. A list of chapter headings will indicate the fullness with which this descriptive matter has been developed. Geography and resources, social characteristics, political and financial situation, industry, commerce, transportation, education, public charity and social service, science, journalism, literature, and fine arts. Although these chapters are loaded down with facts and figures, the excellent style makes them very interesting as well as profitable reading. The book will be of value, not only to the popular reader, but to the advanced student as well.

W. E. Dunn .

How to cite:
Dunn, William Edward, "Latin America", Volume 018, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 334 - 335. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v018/n3/review_23.html
[Accessed Sun Nov 23 3:02:48 CST 2008]