Silver, Sword, and Stone

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.