Savage Capitalism and the Myth of Democracy: Latin America in the 21st Century - Political Science Book for Academic Research & Latin American Studies

Michael Hogan's newest book SAVAGE CAPITALISM AND THE MYTH OF DEMOCRACY: Latin America in the Third Millenniumtook me by surprise, not the quality; like all of his books, including The Irish Soldiers of Mexico, it is a very good read and Hogan is a master storyteller. The breath of his experiences in Latin America and his clear insights into the current social and problems is what caught me off guard. Dr. Hogan is a "renaissance man," and has examined just about every facet of the region: from coffee production in Colombia to sterilization of women in Amazonia, from the Green Revolution in Mexico to community gardens in Cuba, from the failures of the Catholic Church to the inroads in education. I have lived in some of the areas that he discusses and I find myself in agreement, despite his eclectic approaches and sometimes controversial views. Dr. Hogan demonstrates the courage of his convictions with his chronicle of the developments that have led to what is Central America today and he suggests that the only real solution is local control and grassroots organization, coupled with education that is genuine, free and rigorous. Teachers in Latin America and also in the USA are a constant theme in this book. His hope (and for many of us living in Latin America) is that the future can and will be better if quality of education (on both sides of the border) improves and if we recruit our best and most committed young people to that vocation and treat them with dignity and respect. That said, the book also takes the U.S. to task for it sad history in the region in no uncertain terms. The saying that "history is written by the victors" is too true and I applaud Dr. Hogan for having the courage to tell it like it is.Miles Beacom, Tijjuana, Mexico