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The History of Chile
Within Chile is the driest desert in the world, the highest mountain range in the hemisphere, temperate rainforests, and a piece of Antarctica. In all these areas Chileans have created unique communities and, together, a vibrant nation. Chile's history mirrors its geographic variety. From its pre-colonial period, to its days as a Spanish colony, through its many independent governments, Chile has long been a land of crises and controversy. Beginning with a survey of the land, people, and current government of Chile, the book traces the chronological story of the country. Ten chapters follow the details of Chilean history from the indigenous peoples to the democratic transition after the Pinochet dictatorship. This is the perfect starting point for students and travelers interested in the history and people of Chile.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 13, 2018
I'm amused--and possibly a bit chagrined--at all the three or lower ratings for this book that have complaints about it being without feeling or "dry." Have we gotten so used to having our history fictionalized, romanticized, and sang to us that we no longer can read straight non-fiction? Has "creative nonfiction" completely ruined us for anything that isn't "edutainment?" I think maybe it has.
Personally, I liked this book. It's a straight-forward, non-sensationalized history book. It gives the who, what, when, where, and how, only occasionally delving into the why when the supporting argument can be documented from outside sources. The writing is about as objective as a book on Chile written for American audiences can be and manages to report how the US played lab rat with Chilean economics and industry without either dwelling on it or minimizing it. (We can no longer deny that Nixon and Kissinger were up to their necks in manipulating South American events. Too many classified documents are now released that say otherwise.) It is also a wide-ranging history and not just focused on the second half of the 20th century.
This book is part of the Greenwood Histories of Modern Nations. The series includes books on many different countries. If all of the books in this series are this well written, I look forward to reading more of them.
Personally, I liked this book. It's a straight-forward, non-sensationalized history book. It gives the who, what, when, where, and how, only occasionally delving into the why when the supporting argument can be documented from outside sources. The writing is about as objective as a book on Chile written for American audiences can be and manages to report how the US played lab rat with Chilean economics and industry without either dwelling on it or minimizing it. (We can no longer deny that Nixon and Kissinger were up to their necks in manipulating South American events. Too many classified documents are now released that say otherwise.) It is also a wide-ranging history and not just focused on the second half of the 20th century.
This book is part of the Greenwood Histories of Modern Nations. The series includes books on many different countries. If all of the books in this series are this well written, I look forward to reading more of them.
July 15, 2018
In my quest to read a history of every country in the world (that has one/that I can find), I begin my foray around 3rd base: South and Central America, a part of the world of which I know nothing.
This one starts off wonderfully. In fact, it's one of the few times that I read one a history of a place I've never been that made me want to immediately go wander around it.
There are nice bits breaking down the wacky geography (climate zones from Mordor deserts to PNW!), the people (the Mapuche= kicked the shit of repeated waves of would-be conquerors), and fascinating early colonial history that goes very much against the grain of what you'd expect.
The book falls apart in two places:
1) economics (yep, this again). For those paying attention, pretty much every modern work of history is good up until, say, WW2, and then shit goes to pieces because the focus becomes abstruse, boring, who-gives-a-fuck discussions of X's economic policies. Sadly, this book is no exception. Culture and what-not is shunted to the side.
2) Um...all that Pinochet-era shit? American complicity in Pinochet's insanity is barely mentioned. In fact, the whole period is passed over in rather a blah, blase way that really sets you to wondering. Sure, Historian--don't judge, but at least tell the unabashed, documented shit the way it is!
This one starts off wonderfully. In fact, it's one of the few times that I read one a history of a place I've never been that made me want to immediately go wander around it.
There are nice bits breaking down the wacky geography (climate zones from Mordor deserts to PNW!), the people (the Mapuche= kicked the shit of repeated waves of would-be conquerors), and fascinating early colonial history that goes very much against the grain of what you'd expect.
The book falls apart in two places:
1) economics (yep, this again). For those paying attention, pretty much every modern work of history is good up until, say, WW2, and then shit goes to pieces because the focus becomes abstruse, boring, who-gives-a-fuck discussions of X's economic policies. Sadly, this book is no exception. Culture and what-not is shunted to the side.
2) Um...all that Pinochet-era shit? American complicity in Pinochet's insanity is barely mentioned. In fact, the whole period is passed over in rather a blah, blase way that really sets you to wondering. Sure, Historian--don't judge, but at least tell the unabashed, documented shit the way it is!
November 16, 2025
The History of Chile (2003) offers a concise yet insightful account of the formation of Chile’s national identity, tracing the nation’s evolution from the era of European exploration and colonization to the fall of dictator Augusto Pinochet and the rise of the moderate Concertación coalition in the early 21st century.
Author John L. Rector, Emeritus Professor of History at Western Oregon University, focuses primarily on Chile’s modern political and economic trajectory — from its emergence as a mining hub and colonial trade center to the waves of authoritarianism and regional conflict that defined the 19th century. He examines the pendulum swings of political upheaval and economic instability that marked the turbulent years of Salvador Allende’s socialist government and Pinochet’s military dictatorship.
While written more than two decades ago, Rector’s history presciently underscores how Chile’s reckoning with its past continues to shape its democratic present, suggesting that despite the weight of its historical challenges, the country’s future remains one of resilience and cautious optimism.
Author John L. Rector, Emeritus Professor of History at Western Oregon University, focuses primarily on Chile’s modern political and economic trajectory — from its emergence as a mining hub and colonial trade center to the waves of authoritarianism and regional conflict that defined the 19th century. He examines the pendulum swings of political upheaval and economic instability that marked the turbulent years of Salvador Allende’s socialist government and Pinochet’s military dictatorship.
While written more than two decades ago, Rector’s history presciently underscores how Chile’s reckoning with its past continues to shape its democratic present, suggesting that despite the weight of its historical challenges, the country’s future remains one of resilience and cautious optimism.
August 23, 2025
A good summary with lots of detail of historical and political histories of Chilé. It provides a very in-depth insight into the challenges, triumphs, leaders and culture that have shaped the country over centuries. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Latin American history or politics, or those who want a deeper dive into the country and its cities and regions before visiting for a vacation. My only critique would be this can be quite a dry or technical read - if you know that going in, it’s not as jarring and you aren’t going to expect a sing-song children’s book with lots of pictures. Definitely could be a textbook or educational piece for those learning about Latin culture.
February 9, 2020
Woo hoo! Thanks to a snowy day, I finally finished this history. Eight months later. Seven months after my visit to Chile. The book is dense with information, not easy to get through quickly. Although the chapters about Allende and Pinochet were very informative and I wished I'd read them before my visit.
September 10, 2016
This book contains sections titled: abbreviations and Acronyms; Timeline of Historical Events; Notable People in the History of Chile; Glossary of Selected Terms; and Suggestions for Further Reading, in addition to ten chapters of text. The writing can get so boring I struggled to finish even half a chapter at a time. This country's history cannot be that boring.
February 21, 2016
I read the book's chapters that focused on the Allende government, its experiment with socialism and the military coup that followed. I did so to familiarize myself with this Chilean history. And also to better appreciate the film MACHUCA (2004), a historical drama about two friends at school in Santiago during the upheaval that consumed Allende and the nation.
February 13, 2013
Quite informative, and covers a great deal of Chilean history with a broad brush. However, it's a very dry read, lacking in much depth of feeling. I suppose that's not a terrible crime for history book, but still a very stiff writing style.
October 30, 2009
Chile is wondering how they can thank Pinochet publicly. :)
November 10, 2010
Skimmed through the less interesting parts. Only read this because my son will be spending 2 years in Chile. Makes you appreciate America! Chile has an interesting past.
September 20, 2015
It gives a good overview of the history of the country ........... rather dry - but factual. It gave me just the background I needed before planning a trip.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews