In Latin American history, women have not only played key roles within the family and society, but have long been active participants in political and economic life. The explosion of research over the last fifteen years testifies to how much we still have to learn about their experiences. "Women and Gender in Modern Latin America" brings together selections from recent scholarship with excerpts from an exciting array of primary sources, many translated into English for the first time, to bring the story of women s involvement in modern Latin American history up to date.

Covering major developments in the region from the bitter wars of Spanish American independence (1810-1825) through the turn of the twenty-first century, this collection examines the expectations, responsibilities, and limitations that have confronted women in their varied roles. The book explores:

• The nature and impact of feminist movements
• Women s role in economic modernization and the gendered division of labor
• Women s contributions to 20th-century nationalism and social revolutions
• Changing gender roles and relations within marriage and the family
• The impact of modern birth control methods and changing sexual mores

In the concise introductory essays, Pamela S. Murray synthesizes recent research to provide readers with a context for the selections in each chapter, including primary sources that range from trial records, legal codes, and other official documents to personal letters, excerpts from women s published writings, speeches, and images.

Whether for a course specifically on women in Latin America, or as an addition to a Modern Latin America survey course, "Women and Gender in Modern Latin America" provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of women and workings of gender over time across a vast and diverse region."

In Latin American history, women have not only played key roles within the family and society, but have long been active participants in political and economic life. The explosion of research over the last fifteen years testifies to how much we still have to learn about their experiences. "Women and Gender in Modern Latin America" brings together selections from recent scholarship with excerpts from an exciting array of primary sources, many translated into English for the first time, to bring the story of women s involvement in modern Latin American history up to date.

Covering major developments in the region from the bitter wars of Spanish American independence (1810-1825) through the turn of the twenty-first century, this collection examines the expectations, responsibilities, and limitations that have confronted women in their varied roles. The book explores:

• The nature and impact of feminist movements
• Women s role in economic modernization and the gendered division of labor
• Women s contributions to 20th-century nationalism and social revolutions
• Changing gender roles and relations within marriage and the family
• The impact of modern birth control methods and changing sexual mores

In the concise introductory essays, Pamela S. Murray synthesizes recent research to provide readers with a context for the selections in each chapter, including primary sources that range from trial records, legal codes, and other official documents to personal letters, excerpts from women s published writings, speeches, and images.

Whether for a course specifically on women in Latin America, or as an addition to a Modern Latin America survey course, "Women and Gender in Modern Latin America" provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of women and workings of gender over time across a vast and diverse region."

She was a friend, lover, and confidante of charismatic Spanish American independence hero Simon Bolivar and, after her death, a nationalist icon in her own right. Yet authors generally have chosen either to romanticize Manuela Saenz or to discount her altogether. For Glory and Bolivar: The Remarkable of Life of Manuela Saenz, by contrast, offers a comprehensive and clear-eyed biography of her. Based on unprecedented archival research, it paints a vivid portrait of the Quito-born "Libertadora," revealing both an exceptional figure and a flesh-and-blood person whose life broadly reflected the experiences of women during Spanish America's turbulent Age of Revolution. Already married at the time of her meeting with the famous Liberator, Saenz abandoned her husband in order to become not only Bolivar's romantic companion, but also his official archivist, a member of his inner circle, and one of his most loyal followers. She played a central role in Spanish South America's independence drama and eventually in developments leading to the consolidation of new nations. Pamela Murray, for the first time, closely examines Saenz's political trajectory including her vital, often-overlooked years in exile. She exposes the myths that still surround her. She offers, in short, a nuanced and much-needed historical perspective, one that balances recognition of Saenz's uniqueness with awareness of the broader forces that shaped this dynamic nineteenth-century woman.

Colombia is at a historic crossroads as its leaders implement peace accords that will end an undeclared but bitter civil war that has raged for more than half a century. Building a nation at peace will require the input and collaboration of both Colombians and the world community. Yet relatively little is known about Colombia in the United States and abroad. This deeply informed and accessible book traces the history of Colombia thematically over the past two centuries. In twelve interlinked chapters, Michael J. LaRosa and German R. Mejia depart from more standard approaches by presenting a history of political, social, and cultural accomplishments within the context of Colombia's specific geographic and economic realities. Their emphasis on cultural development, international relations, and everyday life contrasts sharply with works that brand Colombia as a failed state, focusing on its violent past or on an economy deeply dependent on narcotics. Instead, the authors emphasize Colombia's remarkable national cohesion and endurance since the early nineteenth century wars for independence. They explore two distinct eras: the "long nineteenth century" (1780-1899) and the "ongoing twentieth century" (1899-present). Including a photo essay, detailed chronology, and resource guide, this concise yet thorough history will be an invaluable resource for all those seeking a thoughtful, definitive interpretation of the rich heritage and dynamism that have characterized Colombia past and present.