Keen's Latin American Civilization introduces readers to the sweeping panorama of Latin American history through a classic collection of primary documents. More than 140 readings; organized chronologically and placed in context by insightful introductory notes and essays; provide vivid glimpses of life in Latin America from the Conquest to the colonial and republican eras to contemporary Latin America. In the ninth edition; editors Robert Buffington and Lila Caimari document dramatic recent changes in Latin America; including the resurgence of leftist governments in South and Central America; the feminization of politics from the grassroots to the presidency; the devastating effects of narco-trafficking and political corruption on law and order; and growing concerns about the environment.
#1733894 in Books Robert M Farley 2015-02-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .60 x 6.20 x 8.70l; .0 #File Name: 0813165571272 pagesGrounded The Case for Abolishing the United States Air Force Studies in Conflict Diplomacy and Peace
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well writtne and timelyBy CustomerThe author has produced a very well written book. He has researched the history and the effectiveness of independent military air services and points out a strong case against there effectiveness. Its clear to anyone who has looked at our air force; that it has made countless very bad and expensive choices during its history.25 of 28 people found the following review helpful. Solid Book; Excellent QuestionsBy Patrick Taylor SmithThe most important virtue of this book is the question at its core; "Is our current set of defense institutions optimal; given what we need them to accomplish?" Setting this question out clearly and showing some creativity in answering are important; and the book does a good job doing just that. Even if you disagree with the thesis of the book; you should be asking the same sorts of questions. The introduction to organizational theory is good; especially for non-specialists.The book does a nice job of showing that the United States Air Force has made serious mistakes in the last 6 decades concerning procurement; training; and doctrine. The history of the service and the discussion of airpower doctrine are both quite good and worth reading for airpower buffs who want to ignore the rest of the book.The book is less convincing; however; when arguing for its key conclusion. Namely; that USAF pathologies are the result of independence and that ending independence would resolve them. I think a deeper comparative analysis with other states; describing how and why other institutional designs either succeeded and failed in avoiding the problems Farley describes; is necessary to really isolate the key variables in the US case. The discussions of the Israeli and the RAF are suggestive; but much to quick to establish Farley's strong conclusion. So; I'd describe Farley's main conclusion as plausible and worth thinking about; but I wasn't completely convinced. In any case; the book is definitely worth reading.8 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Finally a book that says what I have thought.By Jacques ChouetteI have often thought that the US Air Force should be renamed the US Army Air Corps and returned to the control of the US Army as it was in World War II. This book gives a good argument why. However; instead of giving the US Army control of the tactical missions of the US Air Force and the US Navy control of the strategic missions; which does make lots of sense; I think it would be much easier and cause much less problems if instead of splitting up the US Air Force; the Department of the Air Force was dissolved and the US Air Force became a part of the Department of the Army made to report to the US Army in the same way that the US Marine Corps is part of the Navy Department and reports to the US Navy. In this way; the US Air Force would still be a distinct service but the US Army would control the mission and budgets of the US Air Force so that the US Air Force would support the US Army and not the other way around.
