When did Peru screw up?, famously asked Zavalita in Mario Vargas Llosas classic Conversation in the Cathedral (1969). As this volume shows, there are many possible answers to that burning question: economic crises, foreign and internal wars, military dictatorships, and more. Yet, Peruvian peoples showed resilience and hope in the face of adversity. Written by a stellar group of scholars, this book offers invaluable clues to decipher the fascinating but frequently dreadful history of modern Peru. - Carlos Aguirre, University of Oregon
Two hundred years since Independence, Peru continues its struggle to define itself, as it is split by geography and thought. Paulo Drinot and Alberto Vergara bring together a prominent grouping of historians and social scientists who track Peru from the late-colonial period to the present day. They offer rich insights into Peru at different historical periods as well as from distinct methodological approaches in their attempt to answer what country is this? This volume will enrich teaching and anyone who wishes to learn more about Perus historical and political context. - Cynthia E. Milton, author of Conflicted Memory: Military Cultural Interventions and the Human Rights Era in Peru
