Keen's Latin American Civilization: A Primary Source Reader

The tenth edition of Keen's Latin American Civilization by Robert Buffington and Lila Caimari inaugurates a new era in the history of this classic anthology by dividing it into two volumes.

The first volume retains most of the colonial period sources from the ninth edition but with some significant additions including new sets of images, an alternative conquest narrative, new readings on imperial governance, gender, and sexuality. The 88 excerpts in volume one provide foundational and riveting first-hand accounts of life in colonial Latin America. Concise introductions for chapters and excerpts provide essential context for understanding the primary sources.

The second volume retains most of the modern period sources from the ninth edition but with some significant additions including new readings on popular culture, ideologies of modernization, revolution and dictatorship, as well as new sources that reflect the latest events and trends. The 84 excerpts in volume two provide foundational and often riveting first-hand accounts of life in modern Latin America. Concise introductions for chapters and excerpts provide essential context for understanding the primary sources.

Robert M. Buffington is a professor in the Women and Gender Studies Program at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Lila Caimari is a researcher at CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.