The Argentina Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers)
Considering the continuing economic crisis in Argentina, this  volume is a timely addition to Duke's "Latin America Readers"  series (see also Peru, 1995, and Brazil, 1999). An extensive  collection of documents, the book is divided into ten major  sections, representing topics and issues such as the  independence movement, populism under Per"n, and state violence  following Per"n's death in 1974. A brief but useful introduction  sets the stage for the documents in each section, and each one  is preceded by an explanatory note. There are 77 documents  included, 40 of which have not been previously published in  English. The editors (Nouzeilles, romance studies, Duke;  Montaldo, languages and literature, Universidad Sim"n Bol!var)  have carefully selected pieces that represent voices outside  mainstream Argentina, several from writers whose words have been  silenced. From Eurocentric cosmopolitan Buenos Aires to gauchos  on the last frontier, these readings have a powerful collective  impact. The volume complements the recent Culture and Customs of  Argentina to provide a comprehensive view of this complex nation  of some 37 million people. Recommended for academic and larger  public libraries. Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., ALCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.