Impressions of Latin America is a valuable addition to any Latin Americanist’s library. The anthology includes selections from many of the best-known English language works on the region. These include writings of Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Thomas Gage, Charles Darwin, W. H. Hudson, and Waldo Frank. The anthologist has not confined his book to just famous works, but has added writings of authors who normally are not associated with Latin America. Among these are Rudyard Kipling, Herman Melville, Aldous Huxley, and Christopher Isherwood. Though some who are widely read in this type of literature may find fault with the anthologist for the omission of a favorite author or selection, few could question the merit of those he included. Most are probably familiar to HAHR readers. This reviewer, however, must admit to an unfamiliarity with several selections. Upon reading some of them, he was motivated to seek out their source in order to read further. Though the book is designed. to awaken the general reader’s interest in Latin America, perhaps those who make the region their special field of interest could profit from a perusal of it.
A brief discussion of the life and literary efforts of the author precedes each selection, and there is a brief bibliography for those who wish to read travel narratives of the area written by authors not included in the anthology.
