The sixth edition of Latin American Civilization (the third published with a Westview Press imprint) is a compact update of a classic book of readings that teachers and students of Latin American history have used and appreciated since its first appearance in 1955. This latest edition combines the best of the previous collections with new material on the colonial period and coverage of recent developments in Latin American politics and society. The new pieces include an assessment of the impact of Argentina’s neoliberal program under Menem; a survey of Brazilian politics, economy, and society; and a close-up view of life in Cuba as it faces the greatest crisis in its history.The great majority of selections are primary materials. These personal narratives—many translated by Keen for this collection—convey the flavor and spirit of a period more vividly than official documents and are generally better written. Secondary works have been used only when suitable contemporary material was not available. The brief introductions and headnotes, which provide students with background information on the authors and the subject matter, have been updated to reflect the best recent scholarship.