The United States in Central America, 1860-1911 : episodes of social imperialism and imperial rivalry in the world system /

At first glance, Schoonover's book seems simply a general history of US-Central American relations during the five decades after 1860. On further examination, it is apparent that Schoonover has crafted a thoughtful, path-breaking work. Instead of providing a chronological narrative, the author has written a series of eight interpretive essays on topics ranging from Teddy Roosevelt's isthmian policy to anti-Americanism in El Salvador in the first decade of this century. Several things set this book apart from others dealing with US relations with Central America. First, the author has deemphasized US sources in the National Archives, and has conducted exhaustive research in Central America, England, France, and Germany. He has also gone beyond traditional diplomatic papers, and has used social, economic, legal, and political sources. The result is a fresh treatment of US relations with this important region, one that clearly links diplomacy with US domestic issues. At the same time, Schoonover offers an intelligent discussion of Latin Americans' varied responses to superpower diplomacy. Upper-division undergraduates and above.-S. Cresswell, West Virginia Wesleyan College