Everything You Need To Know about Latino History: Revised Edtion - Softcover

Novas, Himilce

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452279917 ISBN 13: 9780452279919

Publisher: Plume, 1998

Synopsis

If you eat fajitas, listen to Selena, have studied the Spanish-American War, read Julia Alvarez, visited Miami, or seen Charlie Sheen in a movie, you're probably aware that Latino culture is an integral part of American life. But most Americans do not know much about Latino history, or realize the impact it has on the politics, economy, and culture of American life. Everything You Need To Know About Latino History covers the contributions of Spaniards, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, and Central and South Americans whose cultures have given us everything from chocolate to chili peppers, from mambo to machismo, and from Desi Arnaz to Oscar Hijuelos. Presented in a question and answer format, this revised edition includes new information on Central and South Americans, the largest group of new Latino immigrants, the passing of Proposition 187 in California, and how Latino women are playing a larger role in politics and the arts. This accessible reference book is perfect for both the history buff and the curious reader who want to learn more about Latino American history.

About this title

About the Author

Novas is the author of numerous works of fiction and non-fiction. Her fiction works include Mangos, Bananas and Coconuts: A Cuban Love Story (Arte Público Press, 1996; Riverhead/Penguin, 1997 paperback) and Princess Papaya (Arte Publico Press, 2005). Among her works of non-fiction are the popular Everything You Need to Know About Latino History (Plume/Penguin 1994;1997;2003); Latin American Cooking Across the USA (Knopf, 1997); La Buena Mesa (Knopf, 1997); Latino Art and Culture in the United States (The National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 1996); Everything You Need to Know about Asian American History (Plume/Penguin, 1996; 2003 ); The Hispanic 100: A Ranking of the Latino Men and Women Who Have Most Influenced American Thought and Culture (Citadel Press, 1995); Remembering Selena: A Tribute in Pictures and Words / Recordando a Selena: Un tributo en palabras y fotos (St. Martin's Press, 1995).

Himilce Novas has taught literature and writing as visiting author at vatious colleges and universities, among them the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), Wellesley College and Tulane University and continues to speak on Latino history and culture at colleges across the country. She spans both coasts and currently resides in the West.

From Booklist

If present demographic trends continue, Latinos will emerge as the largest ethnic minority in the U.S. within a decade. Despite recent efforts at multicultural education, most U.S. citizens (including most Latinos) remain woefully ignorant regarding the history and contributions of those who trace their cultural roots to Spanish-speaking countries. Using a question-and-answer format, Novas significantly alleviates that deficit. In a snappy, rapid-fire manner, she provides loads of useful and frequently surprising information. For example, of the 5,000 U.S. casualties during the Spanish-American War, only 379 were battlefield related; the balance were from a variety of tropical diseases. During the Mexican War, both Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant protested against the "injustice" of that conflict. In a broader sense, Novas provides an invaluable service by illustrating the rich diversity of Latino culture in the U.S. This book is suitable for the general reader and can be utilized in teaching multicultural studies at the high-school level. Jay Freeman

Edition details

• Publisher: Plume
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0452279917
• ISBN 13: 9780452279919
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368