THE EPIC OF LATIN AMERICA

by John A. Crow ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 29, 1970

In its first, 1946 edition this sprawling book received largely favorable notice. Now its storytelling diction jars, and more important, its analytical equipment remains minimal. Moreover, no revisions at all seem to have been made in the body of the book: Brazil's coffee exports are ""70% of the world market,"" Stuart Chase in 1935 is ""such a recent writer as."" Indeed, no references to books published past the early '40's appear till the last, newly added section, which draws on Crow's forthcoming Mexico Today. The updated section is weak in itself: Venezuela is an elysium of reform, the defects of small farming noted in Bolivia are forgotten in criticizing Cuban collectivization, Argentina's ordeal under Ongania is described in terms of ""premature male menopause."" Observing that the question today is not will there be revolution but what form will it take, Crow dangles reallocation of military funds as a Latin American panacea. The body of the book describes the ancient Indian empires, the conquerors and viceroys and landowners, popular uprisings, national development and independence, international relations and political tides, with recurrent doses of sex and gore. Though as a liberal Crow is quick to condemn racial oppression, the book utilizes racist generalization (the mestizo is ""always a snob"") and national-character pegs (the ""stubborn individualism"" of Spaniards). Colorful as it is with cannibalism, debauchery, banditry, and some engaging graphics of the lives of planters' wives, colonial doctoral candidates, and gauchos, some omnivorous student may find unfamiliar scraps of lore. But so much more and better is now available in the field, and the revisions present and absent are so enfeebling, that the book's republication remains a doubtful venture.

Pub Date: Jan. 29, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION