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dom_jones's review against another edition
4.0
Heavily neglected due to winter exams but a really good entry into Latin American history.
Nice structure, and very readable, with nice elements of narrative interwoven into history.
Not sure on the overall argument though- while Latin American problems today clearly are in part due to colonialism, to suggest the region is condemned to a future of violence, extraction, and exploitation seems a bit bleak.
Also hated the lack of referencing at points. I get that this isn’t an academic book, but at points I wanted to see where quotes had came from, and found myself unable to - just a bit annoying when I wanted to further explore a topic. On the whole though, well cited. Especially for such a readable history.
Nice structure, and very readable, with nice elements of narrative interwoven into history.
Not sure on the overall argument though- while Latin American problems today clearly are in part due to colonialism, to suggest the region is condemned to a future of violence, extraction, and exploitation seems a bit bleak.
Also hated the lack of referencing at points. I get that this isn’t an academic book, but at points I wanted to see where quotes had came from, and found myself unable to - just a bit annoying when I wanted to further explore a topic. On the whole though, well cited. Especially for such a readable history.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Silver, Sword, and Stone by Marie Arana, I just had to sit down for a while and let it sink in, something I had to do many times throughout the book as well. I picked up this book because my fiance's family is Hispanic and I wanted to learn more about Latin America. I like how Arana set up this book in three sections - Silver (greed over natural resources), Sword (brutality) and Stone (religion) - three motivations that are the cause of many invasions by colonizers at that time. While she focuses on each of those on their own, she also shows how they all intertwine with each other. Using an actual person for each section and how their lives were affected by these themes makes this book feel even more relevant. Arana wrote about many different countries and significant people in them, but every time you thought "Here is someone who will do the right thing for this country!" you are proven wrong again. Time and again, she shows how a mixture of silver, sword and/or stone corrupts the leaders that once thought themselves the healers of their countries. This book was shocking, educational, and eye-opening. I highly recommend it if you want to know more about Latin America's history.
emeraldragon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
cam_smith7's review against another edition
5.0
Dang I had a whole review written out and then my app crashed on me…
This has been an essential companion over my last month in Bolivia. Although the book is by no means comprehensive, it’s a great high-level review of Latin American history, and I also learned so much new information throughout. The first third focused on mining and extraction was the most impactful to me, especially after visiting the mines in Potosí. I really have not thought much about the mining of precious metals, but after this book/trip, I know it will be a topic that haunts me.
The second part that traced violence through Indigenous empires to colonialism to (often US-backed) dictatorships to gang violence was interesting but hard to read. I can imagine especially for people with roots in the region, this book could be very challenging. The third follows the use of religion for control of the population, but by that point, I felt most of the major themes/implications had already been revealed (although I certainly learned new things in that section too, and I liked the review of the origins of liberation theory).
I really liked how this book was written - the author is a journalist and she does a great job weaving in historical figures as complex characters, and I also liked how the timeline jumped around. It was easy to read, and I thought the organization around 3 major themes helped me have very strong takeaways from the book. I wasn’t a huge fan of the epigenetics tie-ins intro/conclusion, but otherwise thought the framing was effective.
I’ve mentioned things I’ve learned from this book so many times on this trip (especially when they relate directly to Bolivia) - I think my friends are sick of hearing “oh, my book mentioned…” It definitely focuses the most on the Andean region relative to other parts of Latin America (the author is Peruvian), but still touches on other places too.
All in all, an impactful thematic read will stay in my mind for a long time; hopefully it will also compel me to continue studying the region.
This has been an essential companion over my last month in Bolivia. Although the book is by no means comprehensive, it’s a great high-level review of Latin American history, and I also learned so much new information throughout. The first third focused on mining and extraction was the most impactful to me, especially after visiting the mines in Potosí. I really have not thought much about the mining of precious metals, but after this book/trip, I know it will be a topic that haunts me.
The second part that traced violence through Indigenous empires to colonialism to (often US-backed) dictatorships to gang violence was interesting but hard to read. I can imagine especially for people with roots in the region, this book could be very challenging. The third follows the use of religion for control of the population, but by that point, I felt most of the major themes/implications had already been revealed (although I certainly learned new things in that section too, and I liked the review of the origins of liberation theory).
I really liked how this book was written - the author is a journalist and she does a great job weaving in historical figures as complex characters, and I also liked how the timeline jumped around. It was easy to read, and I thought the organization around 3 major themes helped me have very strong takeaways from the book. I wasn’t a huge fan of the epigenetics tie-ins intro/conclusion, but otherwise thought the framing was effective.
I’ve mentioned things I’ve learned from this book so many times on this trip (especially when they relate directly to Bolivia) - I think my friends are sick of hearing “oh, my book mentioned…” It definitely focuses the most on the Andean region relative to other parts of Latin America (the author is Peruvian), but still touches on other places too.
All in all, an impactful thematic read will stay in my mind for a long time; hopefully it will also compel me to continue studying the region.
izcanbeguscott's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Silver, Sword and Stone is what I would call an "almanac" work of history - it is a way of learning a lot about an absolutely massive topic, but its value will always remain as a mostly referential work or an introduction.
Marie Arana essentially tries to sum up the history of Latin America through the titular Silver, Sword and Stone: Silver for the exploitation of resources, Sword for the violence endemic to the region, and Stone for religions significant sway in the lives of the people who live there. The connecting factor can be seen as a little superficial, as every region on Earth deals with these same issues in one way or another, but they are essentially a jumping off pad for the anecdotes and exploration of the history of the continent.
What makes it special and less encyclopedic than expected is the way it uses these through-lines of history to make you empathize with the normal people who have to deal with the aftershocks of events way beyond their control. It really takes to heart the idea that for many people, one loss is a tragedy and a million is a statistic; so by bringing the narrative to that granular level, it makes you connect more with the people as equals.
I am yet to read Arana's biography on Bolivar, but I am excited as it seems to play to here strengths as a writer a little better. Still recommend this book as a way to find more interesting works in Latin American history stemming from these topics.
Marie Arana essentially tries to sum up the history of Latin America through the titular Silver, Sword and Stone: Silver for the exploitation of resources, Sword for the violence endemic to the region, and Stone for religions significant sway in the lives of the people who live there. The connecting factor can be seen as a little superficial, as every region on Earth deals with these same issues in one way or another, but they are essentially a jumping off pad for the anecdotes and exploration of the history of the continent.
What makes it special and less encyclopedic than expected is the way it uses these through-lines of history to make you empathize with the normal people who have to deal with the aftershocks of events way beyond their control. It really takes to heart the idea that for many people, one loss is a tragedy and a million is a statistic; so by bringing the narrative to that granular level, it makes you connect more with the people as equals.
I am yet to read Arana's biography on Bolivar, but I am excited as it seems to play to here strengths as a writer a little better. Still recommend this book as a way to find more interesting works in Latin American history stemming from these topics.
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
4.0
Silver, Sword, and Stone" by Marie Arana which looks at how exploitation (silver) violence (Sword) and religion (stone) as a cultural memory/history/ tendency? shaped Latin America. Throughout reading this I realized that I am not of the right background to do this book justice. Now that could begin the debate of whether or not this means a non-fiction title has failed in its intent, and I can't claim that either. The information and history is clearly laid out and it has an engaging flow with each section's thesis address. But at the same time, a lack of previous education or cultural knowledge has left me exceptionally ill at ease, deterred this review, and I here acknowledge that I know my educational failings, bias, and privileges of a white millennial are factoring into both my reactions and comprehension.
Latin America is a hard history to read about. That I believe many would know to start with. But reading this book made me doubly ashamed of how little I know about all this to begin with. I believe what would be most beneficial is to seek out reviews from Latin American readers. I believe there is a cultural sensitivity that I am not connecting with. The result is that certain sections of this book not so much a 'wake up call' , educational experience, or even calling someone/thing to task but drip with disdain. It is exceptionally alarming and disorienting.
The author CLEARLY has a lot of love for Latin America and the country she was born in (Peru) but she also has lived in the US for a very very long time. I don't know if she's just not sugar coating things... but the violence section in particular comes off a lot of as "Oh they can't help it. They're naturally blood thirsty." There is a thread of “a lack of opportunity /backed into a corner has led to these actions.” There is some emphasis on inter-generational trauma but I continued to feel this huge disconnect in messaging in the author's voice.
That being said the topic IS fascinating. The thematic approach and angle it tackles history is refreshing. It may disheartening how much I'm learning but it was a valuable experience. We all start somewhere. At the same time I wish it wasn't set up so much on cultural ties-connections then country by country as I know I'm going to have to read SO many more histories before my poorly educated brain really sinks in/remembers what was happening where.
Overall a significant read with a conflicting narrative voice that served as a good reminder of how much more I need to learn.
Latin America is a hard history to read about. That I believe many would know to start with. But reading this book made me doubly ashamed of how little I know about all this to begin with. I believe what would be most beneficial is to seek out reviews from Latin American readers. I believe there is a cultural sensitivity that I am not connecting with. The result is that certain sections of this book not so much a 'wake up call' , educational experience, or even calling someone/thing to task but drip with disdain. It is exceptionally alarming and disorienting.
The author CLEARLY has a lot of love for Latin America and the country she was born in (Peru) but she also has lived in the US for a very very long time. I don't know if she's just not sugar coating things... but the violence section in particular comes off a lot of as "Oh they can't help it. They're naturally blood thirsty." There is a thread of “a lack of opportunity /backed into a corner has led to these actions.” There is some emphasis on inter-generational trauma but I continued to feel this huge disconnect in messaging in the author's voice.
That being said the topic IS fascinating. The thematic approach and angle it tackles history is refreshing. It may disheartening how much I'm learning but it was a valuable experience. We all start somewhere. At the same time I wish it wasn't set up so much on cultural ties-connections then country by country as I know I'm going to have to read SO many more histories before my poorly educated brain really sinks in/remembers what was happening where.
Overall a significant read with a conflicting narrative voice that served as a good reminder of how much more I need to learn.