This book is completely terrible because it is VERY VERY poorly written. Keen cannot fluidly narrate history at all. There are also frequently used high level vocab words which are unnecessarily used. The text can be very difficult to understand in some parts and in others is dictated in the passive voice which is unacceptable. It is also very dense and can be trimmed of many unnecessary facts needed for the understanding of Latin American History. Do not order this book! If you have this book throw it away, there are better ones out there including "Born in Blood and Fire" by Chasteen.