Argentina A Short History

From pre-Columbus to the recent military regimes, this is an accessible survey of Argentina, its development, key events and the causes behind its turbulent history.

From an inauspicious start as a muddy backwater of Imperial Spain to a global trading economy, Colin M. Lewis traces the rise and fall of Argentina in this absorbing and authoritative new history.

At the heart of this rich survey is the theme of paradox: why has a country wth such enormous economic potential, and such cultural sophistication, suffered so badly in recent years? Focussing particularly on the last two centuries, the author outlines all the key events, from Independence to the 'dirty war', and from the Falklands conflict to the economic and political crises of 2001, while tracing the tunultuous careers of such figures as Rosas, Roca, the Perons and Carlos Menem.

Offering a penetrating insight into a fascinating nation, Argentina: A Short History explores the themes of economic growth and instability, of aspiration, achievement and disillusion that characterise the enigmatic land of the conquistadores.

Colin M. Lewis is Senior Lecturer in Latin American Economic History at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is an expert on social conditions and policy in Argentina and Latin America, and has published widely in these areas.