Carlos

This book is nothing short of brilliant. C.L.R James writes with a clarity and flair that makes the Haitian Revolution come to life. His writing includes exceptional primary sources and letters directly from the events. And his portrayal of Toussaint Louverture is like reading a novel where you find yourself constantly in awe of the main character. James drives home the importance of the masses at all times throughout this work. This is not only an exceptional work on the Haitian Revolution, but also one of the most enticing and exciting history books I've read to-date

This book is an excellent run-down of Latin American history. The author presents Latin America history through three themes. The first is silver-wealth, plunder, and spoils. The sword represents the violence that has shaped and molded Latin America. The Stone is religious thought, faith, and worship. As the author weaves between different tales and narratives, jumping from the past to the present and back again, she presents the reader with ancestors and descendants of those molded by the silver, sword, and stone.

The only aspect of the book that left a lot to be desired was her emphasis on Latin America's history and culture of violence. At times, it seems like the author explains current and previous atrocities by way of Latin America's violent empires. I would have loved to see her bring her analysis of underdevelopment and exploitation to bare more closely on the matter of violence. That isn't to say she doesn't talk about these problems, but it sometimes seems that the author feels that Latin America's culture and history of violence is to blame for its current state of violence and bloodshed.

All things considered, I'd say this is a great read for anyone interested in Latin American history, culture, and politics. I can't end the review without praising the inclusion, attention, and emphasis placed on the role of native peoples and cultures. The author's analysis of the Incan and Aztec empires were, for me, one of the great highlights of the book.

Parenti provides an interesting and fresh perspective on Julius Caesar. Instead of painting Ceasar in the usual fashion, a power hungry dictator, Parenti offers an image of Caesar as an individual committed to popular reform. In doing so, Parenti also provides an incredibly captivating social history of Rome, placing the common people at the center. This book provides a wonderful history of the Roman Republic, its people, and its finals days.

The book was incredibly engaging and straightforward. The book presents a pretty great account of ancient Greek and Roman history, but its shining points come from its analysis of barbarians and barbarism. The author complicates how we today view barbarism and how the issue of culture really manifested itself in the ancient world. This is a book that will force you to question some assumptions, and it's definitely worth the read.

The book both outlines the cultural significance of psychoanalysis while updating and refuting some of Freud's wilder theories. This book hones in not only on the importance of psychoanalysis but Freud as a figure and analyst. The suggested reading in the back is also a great resoruce.