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Cambridge Latin American Studies #82
A History of Chile, 1808-2002
Providing an overview of Chilean history for the general reader as well as the specialist, this text employs primary and secondary materials to analyze the nation's political, economic, and social evolution from independence to 2002. Unlike other works, the volume examines in depth the most recent events of Chile's history: the diversification of its economy, spread of democratic institutions, improvement of public health, and emergence of a rich intellectual culture. First Edition Hb (1996): 0-521-56075-6 First Edition Pb (1996): 0-521-56827-7
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 14, 2023
Leí este libro porque me lo recomendó y prestó un profesor del colegio y lo disfruté en gran manera.
Logra relatar nuestra historia desde una perspectiva general pero no lejana, acercando datos y fechas importantes que han ido formando, creando y desarrollando nuestra gran historia.
Una historia de dificultades y problemas, de revoluciones, de paz , armonía y porsupuesto también etapas dolorosas., Pero en conclusión, este libro ha sido de gran disfrute para mi y se que lo será para las personas interesadas en nuestra gran historia nacional.
Viva Chile!! 🇨🇱
Logra relatar nuestra historia desde una perspectiva general pero no lejana, acercando datos y fechas importantes que han ido formando, creando y desarrollando nuestra gran historia.
Una historia de dificultades y problemas, de revoluciones, de paz , armonía y porsupuesto también etapas dolorosas., Pero en conclusión, este libro ha sido de gran disfrute para mi y se que lo será para las personas interesadas en nuestra gran historia nacional.
Viva Chile!! 🇨🇱
January 19, 2022
Un ligero libro que ofrece una panorámica de la política chilena. Abarca desde la época colonial hasta el primer gobierno de la Concertación, encabezado por Patricio Aylwin. Lo recomiendo a cualquier persona interesada en saber más sobre esta interesante nación. Para los chilenos, podría devenir en lectura obligatoria.
December 20, 2025
An interesting exploration into the history behind Chile’s institutional evolution.
It provided specific dates, covering the Spanish colonialist period without disregarding the impact this had on the indigenous population.
The writing begins to get tedious due to a mundane writing style but with it being a chronological timeline in textbook style, it’s expected.
It provided specific dates, covering the Spanish colonialist period without disregarding the impact this had on the indigenous population.
The writing begins to get tedious due to a mundane writing style but with it being a chronological timeline in textbook style, it’s expected.
July 25, 2012
This book is written pretty much like a history textbook, which means it was probably not the best choice for casual reading. Nevertheless, I felt that I should know a bit about the history of Chile, given that I was going to be there for three months.
The book goes into quite a bit of depth about politics (details of campaigns, detailed outcomes of elections) which gets a bit boring and hard to retain. There is also discussion of economic policy and how this affected the country, along with brief discussions of important social changes and revolutions.
Unfortunately it's all a bit dry and the names quickly start to blur together. You don't get a real sense of each era of Chilean history, though perhaps that is too much to ask from what is essentially a history textbook. At least now I know who all the streets and towns were named after.
The book goes into quite a bit of depth about politics (details of campaigns, detailed outcomes of elections) which gets a bit boring and hard to retain. There is also discussion of economic policy and how this affected the country, along with brief discussions of important social changes and revolutions.
Unfortunately it's all a bit dry and the names quickly start to blur together. You don't get a real sense of each era of Chilean history, though perhaps that is too much to ask from what is essentially a history textbook. At least now I know who all the streets and towns were named after.
March 5, 2022
Although, I lived in Chile for 3 years and did my best to learn and understand the history I have had a hard time finding an English language history. Most histories tend to focus on the Allende and Pinochet eras. This book did an excellent job and covered the early history from the Inca, Mapuche civilizations to the Spanish conquest up to the modern era.
The conquest of Chile began in earnest in 1540 and was carried out by Pedro de Valdivia, one of Francisco Pizarro's lieutenants, who founded the city of Santiago on 12 February 1541. Although the Spanish did not find the extensive gold and silver they sought, they recognized the agricultural potential of Chile's central valley, and Chile became part of the Spanish Empire.
Conquest took place gradually, and the Europeans suffered repeated setbacks. A massive Mapuche insurrection that began in 1553 resulted in Valdivia's death and the destruction of many of the colony's principal settlements. Subsequent major insurrections took place in 1598 and in 1655. Each time the Mapuche and other native groups revolted, the southern border of the colony was driven northward. The abolition of slavery by the Spanish crown in 1683 was done in recognition that enslaving the Mapuche intensified resistance rather than cowing them into submission. Despite royal prohibitions, relations remained strained from continual colonialist interference. In the 20th century up to the 1970s, Chile saw a process of democratization, rapid population growth and urbanization, and increasing reliance on exports from copper mining.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the country experienced severe left-right political polarization and turmoil. This development culminated with the 1973 coup that overthrew Salvador Allende's democratically elected left socialist government and instituted a 16-year right military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet that left thousands dead or missing. The regime ended in 1990 after a referendum in 1988 and was succeeded by a center-left coalition that ruled until 2010. There are some Chileans who believe the claims of torture and execution are lies, others believe they are over-exaggerated, or that they were necessary to rescue the country from sliding into Communism.
We arrived in Chile just prior to the 40th anniversary of the coup. I watched the annual protests that result in burning cars and confrontations between young people and the Carabineros (police). I tried very hard to gain an understanding of the Allende – Pinochet eras. Even with 4 decades of healing, wounds still remain. The result is that when I discussed the subject most Chileans describe it as “complicado.” One of the most stunning stories we heard in Chile was from a huaso (cowboy) who was our guide on an overnight horseback trip high into the Andes in the Cajon Maipo. After he had a few drinks around the campfire we started talking about his life. Pinochet had a retreat in the canyon which was also a site of torture. He described seeing bodies floating down the drive as a boy when he was fishing. He began to weep. It was a poignant moment as we listened. I heard similar stories of family members “disappeared.”
This book does an excellent job of presenting the facts independent of the political themes that are still so prevalent. To gain a deeper understanding I would recommend, The Pinochet File, and Santiago’s Children, I will always love Chile and Los Chilenos. I have deep respect for the people, the history, and their resilience. Sadly, the political abuses are not unique to Chile and have been repeated all across Latin America. A great book on the history of political violence in Latin America is The Children of Cain.
The conquest of Chile began in earnest in 1540 and was carried out by Pedro de Valdivia, one of Francisco Pizarro's lieutenants, who founded the city of Santiago on 12 February 1541. Although the Spanish did not find the extensive gold and silver they sought, they recognized the agricultural potential of Chile's central valley, and Chile became part of the Spanish Empire.
Conquest took place gradually, and the Europeans suffered repeated setbacks. A massive Mapuche insurrection that began in 1553 resulted in Valdivia's death and the destruction of many of the colony's principal settlements. Subsequent major insurrections took place in 1598 and in 1655. Each time the Mapuche and other native groups revolted, the southern border of the colony was driven northward. The abolition of slavery by the Spanish crown in 1683 was done in recognition that enslaving the Mapuche intensified resistance rather than cowing them into submission. Despite royal prohibitions, relations remained strained from continual colonialist interference. In the 20th century up to the 1970s, Chile saw a process of democratization, rapid population growth and urbanization, and increasing reliance on exports from copper mining.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the country experienced severe left-right political polarization and turmoil. This development culminated with the 1973 coup that overthrew Salvador Allende's democratically elected left socialist government and instituted a 16-year right military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet that left thousands dead or missing. The regime ended in 1990 after a referendum in 1988 and was succeeded by a center-left coalition that ruled until 2010. There are some Chileans who believe the claims of torture and execution are lies, others believe they are over-exaggerated, or that they were necessary to rescue the country from sliding into Communism.
We arrived in Chile just prior to the 40th anniversary of the coup. I watched the annual protests that result in burning cars and confrontations between young people and the Carabineros (police). I tried very hard to gain an understanding of the Allende – Pinochet eras. Even with 4 decades of healing, wounds still remain. The result is that when I discussed the subject most Chileans describe it as “complicado.” One of the most stunning stories we heard in Chile was from a huaso (cowboy) who was our guide on an overnight horseback trip high into the Andes in the Cajon Maipo. After he had a few drinks around the campfire we started talking about his life. Pinochet had a retreat in the canyon which was also a site of torture. He described seeing bodies floating down the drive as a boy when he was fishing. He began to weep. It was a poignant moment as we listened. I heard similar stories of family members “disappeared.”
This book does an excellent job of presenting the facts independent of the political themes that are still so prevalent. To gain a deeper understanding I would recommend, The Pinochet File, and Santiago’s Children, I will always love Chile and Los Chilenos. I have deep respect for the people, the history, and their resilience. Sadly, the political abuses are not unique to Chile and have been repeated all across Latin America. A great book on the history of political violence in Latin America is The Children of Cain.
August 14, 2019
On the whole, an excellent introduction to Chilean history. If you need such a book, it may be the best thing available in English. But like any book of this nature, it's not equally strong in all areas:
Politics - 5/5
Economics - 5/5
Social structure - 4/5
Culture 3/5
Elucidating the connections between these domains: 3/5
Small flaw: The last chapter, which was added for the second edition, seemed tacked on because it repeated verbatim some passages from the previous chapter, which had been the concluding chapter of the previous edition.
Politics - 5/5
Economics - 5/5
Social structure - 4/5
Culture 3/5
Elucidating the connections between these domains: 3/5
Small flaw: The last chapter, which was added for the second edition, seemed tacked on because it repeated verbatim some passages from the previous chapter, which had been the concluding chapter of the previous edition.
November 11, 2024
Very much a political history of Chile. Interesting placement of Pinochet and Allende in a longer narrative of politics and a shifting economy, rather than “the elected socialist” or the “realisation of neoliberalism”. And an easy style of writing. I read after my visit to the country but still worth while filling in a gap of knowledge.
August 27, 2022
*** 3.5 stars ***
This is a good introduction to the subject, and I especially benefited from the writers` close attention to the socio-economic developments. Yet sometimes it becomes quite repetitive and bogged down with names, terms, and abbreviations.
This is a good introduction to the subject, and I especially benefited from the writers` close attention to the socio-economic developments. Yet sometimes it becomes quite repetitive and bogged down with names, terms, and abbreviations.
June 4, 2015
One of the few large English language synthesis' you are going to find on Chilean history. Thankfully if you are interested in this topic, it is well written and organized.
December 1, 2017
Más allá de qué tan en acuerdo o desacuerdo uno pueda estar con ciertas evaluaciones, siempre es interesante ver la opinión y el análisis que extranjeros tienen del país de uno.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews