Ranging from the 1840s through the early twenty-first century, this study of the two countries' shared political, economic, and cultural histories fills in significant gaps in our understanding of Paraguayan-U.S. relations. Frank O. Mora and Jerry W. Cooney tell how an initially rocky beginning between the two countries, marked by diplomatic posturing, shows of military force, and failed business schemes, gave way to a calmer period during which the United States backed Paraguay's territorial claims against its neighbors, prospects grew brighter for American entrepreneurs, and Paraguay embraced Pan Americanism. It was not until the 1930s, however, that the two countries engaged in earnest as the United States attempted to mediate the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia. Then, as the authors write, ""hemispheric solidarity in World War II, the cold war in Latin America, the 'balance of power' among states in the Rio de la Plata, and the question of U.S. support for, or aid to, Latin American dictators"" became matters of mutual interest. The dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner (1954-89) spanned much of this era, with a shared attitude of realpolitik typifying U.S.- Paraguayan relations. Post-Stroessner, the United States has stood by Paraguay during its transition to democracy, despite lingering concerns about such issues as drug trafficking and intellectual piracy. The countries should grow closer with time, the authors conclude, if Paraguay resists the continent's leftward political shift and remains a solid partner in U.S. antiterror initiatives in South America.

This volume provides the researcher with an excellent tool for investigating the history, politics, and culture of Paraguay. Although various libraries, museums, and archives in the U.S. contain documentary collections of interest to Paraguayanists, they are little known and thus underutilized. Whigham and Cooney help correct this problem. Not only do they describe the most famous collections in such libraries as the University of Texas at Austin, the Library of Congress, and the Oliveira Lima Library at Catholic University, they have also uncovered some obscure materials. From the Museum of Russian Culture in San Francisco to the Mennonite Archives at Bethel College in Kansas, they have run the gamut of available resources. This guide discusses diplomatic correspondence, genealogical materials, missionary records, political reports, and unpublished personal reminiscences. The authors also offer hints and advice on working in the various repositories and suggest research themes that might be developed using particular collections. An attractive format and a thorough subject index make this volume easy to use as well as informative.