This could be a much better book if the author had made it into a book instead of a number of postings as a verbal history and if he had employed a proofreader. As it is, it is sometimes difficult to grasp the meaning.

That said, this is a good beginning history of the South American continent. Each country is discussed separately. Although there is some discussion of what went on before the Columban age, this is more of political history from the time of the US revolution to the present and, secondarily, a travelogue. This is exactly the sort of book I wanted to read so, to that extent, it fit what I was seeking. The imperfections of the publishing are a real problem. ( )