Las culturas y civilizaciones latinoamericanas has been updated. This textbook not only describes the history of Latin America, but it sets a mood that allows the reader to get a genuine sense of the languages, cultures, and civilizations of this complex and colorful land. It provides an account of how Columbus's voyages gave rise to utopian dreams, the ramifications of which led to a brilliant display of hybrid cultures, changed the ethnic composition of two continents, accelerated lines of commerce, and refashioned the Western World's diet. The textbook takes the reader through the "discovery," conquest, and colonization of the New World and on to independence and the national period. In addition, each chapter offers general concepts, important terms, questions, and topics for classroom debates. Comprehensive and compelling, this book chronicles the history of an important region in a way that will interest students and teachers alike.

"Written in a lively and readable Spanish, Las culturas y civilizaciones latinoamericas is appropriate for intermediate and advanced students. The footnotes for uncommon words and key terms are abundant and helpful. The glossary and vocabulary list at the end of the book is truly outstanding for its multitude of concise definitions, many of which would serve students well in a Latin American literature survey course. . . For the student who has thoroughly read Las culturas y civilizaciones latinoamericas and given serious consideration to its questions for debate, thinking independently about Latin American culture and civilization should be second nature." - Hispania