A Brief History of Latin America

The Latin American continent unites twenty countries and 9% of the Earth's population, the culture of the Maya civilization, and the legacy of European colonization. Often remaining in the shadow of Europe, Latin America can nonetheless boast of its heroes: liberator Simón Bolívar, revolutionary Che Guevara, famous artist Frida Kahlo, and many others. American researcher John Chastin introduces us to the turbulent history of this unique continent, from the first ships of Europeans to modern political intrigues. Weaving together social, cultural, and ecological history, Chastin creates a vivid portrait of Latin America with its tropical forests and favelas, the Amazon and the Andes, carnivals and the Day of the Dead. From the book, you will learn what happened to the civilizations of the Aztecs and Incas, how slavery formed on the continent, and the challenges faced by modern Latin American countries. John Chastin opens up to us the world of Latin America with its contradictions and unique color. "To understand Latin America, one must understand its history. This is what this entire book is about" (John Chastin). This book is published in Russian in two series titled "Chronicles of Boiling Blood: A Brief History of Latin America" (the "Historical Interest" series) and "A Brief History of Latin America" (the "Cities and People" series).