Talons of the Eagle: Latin America, the United States, and the World

by Peter H. Smith, Ana Covarrubias

Topical and up to date, Talons of the Latin America, the United States, and the World , Fifth Edition, presents an eminent scholar's perspective on the interaction between global trends and inter-American affairs--a subject that has become crucially important in the current era. Rather than concentrating solely on U.S. policy, Peter H. Smith and Ana Covarrubias uniquely address the structural relationships between the two regions by focusing on international systems, the distribution of power, and the perception and pursuit of national interests. Throughout, this provocative text casts light on such contemporary issues as economic integration, drug trafficking, undocumented migration, and the rise of Latin America's "new left." It also analyzes Latin American reactions and responses to the U.S.--and to the rest of the world--in these complex and troubling times.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, American History, International Relations, Latin American History, Political Science

448 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 1996

Reviews

[Eren Buğlalılar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half of the book is a good summary of historical relations between the US imperialism and the South American nations starting from the 19th century, but nothing original. Smith's analysis blends various approaches from World Systems Theory, great powers competition, a pinch of class analysis. I found the general analytical framework of the book to be quite similar to LaFeber's Inevitable Revolutions: The United States in Central America. Narrative is very similar too: Cold War ended and finally democratic and independent regimes could be established.

The second half of the book is dedicated to a boring analysis of the US policy in South America after 1990 with various left-liberal recommendations, and it is already outdated.

[Kelsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An approachable primer on the politics and history of US and Latin American relations throughout the last century, this is a must-read. This book lends a deeper context to the distrust Latin America has for the US and the connotations of present day US involvement.

[Kelsey]

I don't normally rate textbooks. Very straightforward and informative.

[Hannah (Klein) Rockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instrumental in understanding US imperialism and interferences in Latin America.

[Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read (most of) this book for my International Relations of Latin America class this last semester. It gives an in-depth account of the history of Latin America, especially with their relations with the United States. The talons of the eagle represents the US's hold on Latin American affairs. This book is very insightful for people interested in why Latin America is the way it is, and the US's role in the region!

[Taire Cuevas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of Latin America- US relation.A comprehensive book that explains the many issues that Latin America faced and is facing right now due to US imperialism. Furthermore, this book also analyzes Latin America's responses to the United States.

Very good. I find it depressing the way Latin America has been manipulated, violated and misunderstood over and over.

[Edward · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. The premise was alright but the book consisted of listing off meetings, accords, panels, think groups, accords, etc. Pretty dry stuff, particularly if this is your first time being exposed to this. Was considering using it for a class but won't work after all.

[Naeem · Rating 4 out of 5]

An analysis limited to some of the things done by the US to other peoples and societies in the Americas.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly learned a lot

[Jon-David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredibly biased and actually has inaccurate data. Other than that it was a decent read.

[Roger Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent and informative history of the U.S. influence and imposition on the region. Smith makes a broad but defensible argument that U.S. policy toward Latin America has been based on imperialist tendencies from the beginning. It is an important corrective to ideological assumptions about U.S. commitment to democracy around the world.