The United States Discovers Panama: The Writings of Soldiers, Scholars, Scientists, and Scoundrels, 1850D1905

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Marking the centennial of Panama's separation from Colombia in 1903, this volume reprises U.S. images of the isthmus a century ago. The editors have collected a fascinating selection of articles from two of the most influential publications of the era, Harper's Monthly Magazine and the Atlantic Monthly, to illustrate the prejudices and expansionistic rhetoric of the time. An eclectic mix of adventure-seekers, naturalists, and scholars all helped a reading public in the United States discover Panama. Their writings show how Americans came to believe control of the isthmus was vital to their economic and political wellbeing. Constituting critically important primary sources, these articles will help readers think more critically and carefully about U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing legacy in U.S.-Latin American relations.

Reviews

This is a very interesting anthology of articles written more than a century ago that illustrate U.S. perceptions of the isthmus of Panama at that time. * British Bulletin of Publications on Latin America, the Caribbean, Portugal and Spain *
This remarkable compilation works because the editors allow the original authors to speak out to us from over a century ago, with all their flaws and misperceptions. It provides excellent background for the emergence of the U.S. as a major power in the twentieth century. -- Michael Conniff, San Jose State University

Author Bio

Michael J. LaRosa is associate professor of history at Rhodes College. GermOn R. Mej'a is professor of history at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, BogotO.