Honduras: The Making of a Banana Republic

by Alison Acker

Book by Alison Acker

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Bob Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid piece of work

If you want to know something about Honduran history and politics, if you want to know why that unfortunate land is so unfortunate, read this book. I don't think there is another book which will give you the background so well. It is readable and informative. How well I remember living there many years ago and often finding it difficult to buy a banana in the consummate 'banana republic'. That said it all to me. This book explains why that could be. It covers the early Spanish colonial days and the confused civil wars and days of foreign interventions. There is even a chapter on how various foreign visitors have seen the country--ranging from paradise to hell. But of course, the main subject is subjection----the dominance and far-from-benign influence of a certain large country to the north, and I ain't talking about Mexico. A banana republic is not in control of its destiny, and that, unfortunately, as I said, is Honduran destiny so far. Acker's book will sum it up in excellent style.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too often, Honduras gets the short shrift in favor of its neighbors, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Chapters are written about those two countries while Honduras sees (maybe) a few paragraphs. Acker's book gives the most complete and detailed history of the country that I have read, with primary focus on the late 19th-century to the 1980s. It sets Honduras in context in the tapestry of Central (and the greater Latin) Americas while focusing on the frequent political upheavals and foreign interests and investments, and the subsequent economic and social ramifications for the country and its people.


This book provided me with the most complete picture of this country and how it became what it is today.

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly interesting history of Honduras, from prehistory to modern times, with heavy emphasis on the development of the "banana economy" in the nineteenth century and the tragedy of the American militarization of the country during the 1980s, using Honduras to funnel arms and supplies to the Contras in Nicaragua.

[Michael Daines · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)

“Honduras: The Making of a Banana Republic” is a history of Honduras written in 1988. It’s an overview of over 400 years of history, with most of the emphasis on the 20th century.

Many interesting details, though the writing is a bit dry.