For Latin America today, this book offers the latest available economic, demographic, political, and cultural information, with solid statistical data expressing freedom, violence, and governmental orientation. Consideration is given to the evolving relationships with the United States and other Latin American nations. Revisions have also addressed new historical interpretations, for example, of the history of Mexico and latest political changes, for example, in Venezuela and Cuba. Maps, charts, and photographs provide extensive visual expressions of the region, its geography, peoples, and cultures, in particular public architecture, agricultural technology, specular geology, and striking diversity. The images offer a narrative of the multiplicity of peoples as demonstrated in their clothing, economic and everyday activities, their physical surroundings. Consequently, the narrative combines global economics, national politics, and daily social life throughout the region. The chapters can be read as individual histories for each of the countries, within the context created by contrasts and similarities with the other nations of Latin America.
William H. Beezley received the Ohtli medal from the Mexican government in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to the nation's history and culture. This confirmed his international reputation for his publications such as the classic Judas at the Jockey Club, others such as Mexican National Identity: Memories, Innuendos, and Popular Culture, and such fundamental anthologies as A Handbook of Mexican History and Culture and The Oxford History of Mexico He has authored or edited over twenty-five additional books, including Mexico--the Essentials, Oxford History of Mexico, Mexicans in Revolution, Latin American Popular Culture: An Introduction, and the volumes of The Human Tradition in Latin America. His books have been translated into Spanish and Mandarin.
His interests extend throughout Latin America and to the topics of craft brewing and Malbec wine. He has appeared as a guest expert in over twenty PBS episodes of "The Desert Speaks" and "In the Americas with David Yetman" and currently is filming interviews with former Mexican presidents and prominent politicians for a video-production on the democratization of Mexico. He has taught at SUNY and North Carolina State University, held Endowed chairs at TCU and Tulane and visiting positions at the Universities of Texas, Calgary, British Colombia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, the Colegio de Mexico, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He now teaches at the University of Arizona. He is the editor-in-chief of The Oxford Research Encyclopedia for Latin America. His current research investigates "Objects and Episodes in Latin America's Lively Arts," and a documentary video project on Mexican women who do embroideries that express their domestic, civic, and human rights.
