Now available in a fully-revised and updated second edition, A History of Modern Latin America: 1800 to the Present offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the rich cultural and political history of this vibrant region from the onset of independence to the present day. The book includes coverage of the recent opening of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba as well as a new chapter exploring economic growth and environmental sustainability. Balancing accounts of the lives of prominent figures with those of ordinary people from diverse social, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, it features first-hand accounts, documents, and excerpts from fiction interspersed throughout the narrative to provide tangible examples of historical ideas. The text examines gender and its influence on political and economic change and highlights the important role of popular culture, including music, art, sports, and movies, in the formation of Latin American cultural identity. New to this edition are all-new study questions and topics for discussion at the end of each chapter, along with comprehensive updates to the suggested readings.