This class, its readings and blogs have inspired me to reread an amazing history book. It is called "Open Veins of Latin America - five centuries of the pillage of a continent" by Eduardo Galeano. It covers the time span from the contact with the Spaniards and the Portuguese with a focus on the social oppression and disintegration of the indigenous people. It is very well written covering disturbing events as one learns about the exploitation of the people in the name of greed and riches. It reaches deep into one's soul with its disturbing content. At the same time I feel as if this is a very important book and highly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in the history of Latin America. The book provides an amazing foundation for making connections between the present and the past within this disturbing mosaic of history. Read it!
sounds fascinating...will order it this week!
ReplyDeletePeter, thanks for your insight and thoughtfulness on recommending this book. I appreciate how you bridge what we are covering in our class with other works by authors interested in the same information. I will definitely check this one out!
ReplyDeleteHey Peter, if you like this work, check out Codex Espangliensis. It is a work done by local artists and tells of an alternative Post-Colonial Latin history as it pays homage to not only the traditional Mexican and Latin tradition but also absurdity and pop culture. Have a look on the Google preview:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100800610
Thanks Patrick! I will check it out. It sounds like a blend of time and art?
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