Praise for the hardcover edition: Recommended.--Choice Recent decades have witnessed major reform within Bolivia: an impressive democratic and economic resurgence, a more modern electoral system, and dramatic technological and communications advances. Political slogans celebrate Bolivia, la Nueva (The New Bolivia), but the problems and dilemmas of the past--political instability and authoritarianism; social injustice and inequality; illicit drug trafficking and regional isolation--continue to haunt the present. A Brief History of Bolivia offers a concise yet comprehensive account of the history of Bolivia, from the time of the first ancient civilizations near the shores of Lake Titicaca to the most recent social and political developments. Bolivia's tangled and tumultuous past, in which governments (since its independence in 1825) have seldom been stable for more than a few years, is presented in an engaging and readable narrative. Special attention is given to: The culture and history of the largely indigenous population The challenges to nationhood presented by Bolivia's extremes of landscape and climate The Andean drug war and economic development in this impoverished nation Bolivia's vibrant human rights activist community The country's relationship to its neighbors--Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil--as well as to the United States The current political landscape in Bolivia. Excerpted from A Brief History of Bolivia by Waltraud Queiser Morales All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.