Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

What I loved about this book is that the author gives a narrative of history that wasn't apparent to me before. We're taught that US history moves from East to West, but for millions of Latinos history moves from South to North. Gonzalez spends time on each Latino group and he demonstrates how each sending country's relationship with the United States impacts how each group is treated. I didn't know that Puerto Ricans were US citizens by birth. Moreover, I had no idea how much immigrant labor from Mexico contributes to America's prosperity--particulary that of California and Texas. (CA is the fifth largest economy in the world.) What I also didn't know is that the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 made Cuban exiles immediately eligible for public assistance, Medicaid, food stamps, free English courses, scholarships and low interest college loans. They could also secure immediate business and start up loans. Dade county even opened up its civil service list to non-citizens. Some banks even pioneered what is called a "character loan"--an exile who didn't have collateral or credit could get a business loan based on his background or standing in Cuba. Obviously, these programs have had an effect on that group's prosperity. This book is full of information that has given me new insight about our country's fastest growing ethnic group(s).

I read the book, I loaned it to my 19 year old daughter. We are both latinos born in different countries. The book examines Latino experience accoding to different backgrounds. I am a succesful professional and my daughter a high honors student. We are both fascinated by the book. However, the author is a little harsh in his critisism of the USA. Instead of blaming the US for all our problems we must acknoledge that there has always been Latinos willing to benefit from US policies in Latin America, in detriment of our own countries. This is a must read book for all. There are many misunderstandings between Anglos and Latins, and among Latins. If we wish for a great future for this american nation we must acknoledge everyone's strenghts and weakneses, and stop fingerpointing for someone to blame. Read the book, you will not regret it!

"Harvest of Empire" is a must read for Latinos and those who are interested in learning more about the nation's fastest growing ethnic group. Gonzalez has fearlessly examined the history of Latinos from the Spanish and English conquests to the present day.Gonzalez effectively paints a large overall picture of why Latinos migrated to the United States. As he noted, Latinos migrated to this country because they were responding to the needs of the United States which has often acted as an empire imposing its will on Latin American nations.The best part about the book, however, is that it examines the history of many different Latino groups. So often, books about Latinos deal solely with the history of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans. As the book demonstrates, Latinos and many Latin American countries such as the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua share much more than just a common language.The book adds a lot of insight into the growing political clout of Latinos as well as the debate over language. On a personal note, as a Puerto Rican growing up in New York City, the book has helped me to better understand my identity as well as the shame many tried to make me feel. I attended public school in New York and I can't remember one instance where we learned anything about Latino heroes or history. This book has helped to fill that void and should be used in the classroom, particularly in college.

This is one of those great books that gives readers a sweep of hundreds of years of history while at the same providing a laser-like focus on current events. "Harvest of Empire" is about the rise of Latinos in America from LA to Miami, from Brownsville, Texas to Brownsville, Brooklyn. It is scholarly without being academic, politically analytical without being polemical. It is about the immense contribution that Latinos have made and are now making to the politics and culture of the U.S. It is about the steady Latinoization of American culture from the big band sounds of Mario Bauza and Machito to Gloria Estefan and Selena. As a veteran newspaperman and columnist,Juan Gonzalez has always been an activist-reporter, someone who refuses to distance himself the events he covers. Now, as historian and writer, he brings the same sense of up-close and personal to his story of Latinos in America. It is history with passion.