lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
Harvest of Empire covers a variety of topics, like the Spanish colonization and then the financial "colonization" of Mexico and Central America by the US, the government interference, the reasons why people from specific countries came to the US, and general issues facing the Hispanic-American community today. I appreciated the history of the US's interference, as I had no idea how many governments the US interfered with, or even toppled, in order to prop up US business interests. That was really eye opening. I also learned a lot in the section that examined difference issues and circumstances that were driving immigrants and refugees to leave their countries. The info felt like a LOT of facts, but that is generally how books of this nature with this type of scope are. However, the book read a little slow and dry, but I would still recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Police brutality, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Genocide, Racism, Rape, Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Classism, Addiction, Deportation, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, and War
drbex's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I actually listened to the audio book of the second edition but I didn't see that version listed.
pleaseruiz's review against another edition
5.0
an essential read for anyone who wants to understand how corporate imperialism created mass instability in latin america and drove people out of their homelands
contrabandit's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly difficult history to swallow, especially if you're from or claim your south american heritage. This was an eye opener, if not a vital book for all hispanic people to read. NONE of this was ever covered in schools in the USA, and I feel my already engorged resentment for this racist country grow with more power in knowledge. I'm also thankful it dives into anti-blackness in hispanic cultures, although some of the worded choices were vaguely anti-black itself, which brings it down from 5 stars.