This book purports to be a survey of Peruvian-American relations in the twentieth century, but it really deals, and inadequately, with the 1920s and the period since 1945. The author covers the decade from 1909 to 1919 in eleven pages; here he states that in the first nineteen years of this century Peru followed the lead of the United States but gives no real evidence to support his assertion. The aim of President Augusto B. Leguía, who ruled Peru in the twenties, was to improve his country’s relations with the United States. So persistently did he encourage American investment and loans that critics on both the left and right accused him of making Peru too dependent on the United States.
After a chapter on border disputes the author then summarizes the more formal diplomatic relations in the years between 1930 and 1960, noting Peru’s cooperation against the Axis. Retracing his steps in the above thirty-year era Carey devotes three chapters to the United States assistance programs, cultural exchange, and investments. With regard to the various services offered Peru, such as education and the loans for the Quiroz project, the author concludes that we helped ourselves while we helped Peru to help itself. But he thinks that the Peruvians believe that American private investment has not worked as a positive factor in the overall relations between Washington and Lima. Finally he gives the pros and cons of the Nixon visit to Peru.
