Leaders, leadership, and U.S. policy in Latin America /

Kryzanek (Bridgewater State College) offers a workmanlike study of political leaders and leadership in Latin America, while examining the effects of US policy in that area. He emphasizes the importance of leaders in Latin America, and mixes an interesting historical analysis of successive modes of leadership with a contemporary evaluation of leaders and their relationship with the US. Three contemporary models of leadership are adduced: the military general in transition, the democratic politican, and the revolutionary ideologue. Issues (drugs, debt, and development) are explored as testing grounds for the three models of leaders. Finally (and most importantly) Kryzanek tackles the enormous task of relating various strategies of leadership to the persistent challenge posed by US intervention in the area. The author believes that actions taken by the US in fostering what he calls "good" leaders will be a crucial element in the long-range development of the hemisphere. An important book, perhaps less for academics than for policymakers north and south of the Rio Grande, for whom Kryzanek's prescriptions are sound and should be acted on. At once a book on leadership and hemispheric relations, it can be read with profit on both levels. Advanced undergraduate; graduate; faculty; professional. E. A. Duff; Randolph-Macon Woman's College