Initialed notices were written by members of the editorial staff.
Lewis Hanke has been an indefatigable publicist for Latin American history as well as a primary contributor to the scholarly evolution of the field. This volume attests to the broad range and the excellence of that contribution over forty years. Included are selections from the most familiar Hanke themes, Las Casas and the struggle for justice, as well as historiographical commentary and essays on the research and teaching of Latin American history. Those who know Dr. Hanke primarily as a colonialist will not have anticipated the section on contemporary Latin America.
The book is a useful compendium which facilitates access to a small cross section of Hanke’s many works. Since the footnotes have been omitted in this edition, however, scholars may wish to consult the original publications. In a larger sense, the book affirms the vitality of Latin American studies as they have assumed respectability within the larger academic community. When the history of Latin American studies in the United States is finally written, this volume will offer valuable insights on the evolution of the field.
