Close Encounters of Empire – Writing the Cultural History of U.S.–Latin American Relations: American Encounters/Global Interactions

""Close Encounters" is an unusual achievement, especially for a collection of essays. Not only does it offer an innovative, imaginative, insightful interrogation of relations between Latin America and the U.S.A., regarded through the lens of the most contemporary of theoretical discourses--it also delivers on a much more difficult objective: to open up a new, critically nuanced perspective on colonialism and postcoloniality, sui generis. A well-balanced mix of the epistemic and the empirical, of conceptual argument and case study, it demands attention from anyone interested in the Americas, anyone concerned with colonialism, anyone preoccupied with postcolonial politics, economy, and culture--anywhere."--John Comaroff, University of Chicago

Concerns with the intersections of culture and power are producing new questions about the United States' involvement with Latin America. Essays by distinguished U.S. and Latin American historians and anthropologists illuminate a wide range of subjects pertinent to the issue. 2 maps. 25 photos.