Peoples of the Earth is about the indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere-what is left of them. Focusing on the rise of Native nationalism in the Americas, the book is provocative from historical and ideological perspectives. The rise of the struggle for autonomy is based on globalization and the encroachment of outside forces on indigenous lands. Aside from political autonomy, the cry is for preservation of Indian cultures. The nature of the struggle depends on the nation-state that the particular indigenous nation finds itself within. Mexico leads in the number of Native people with 12 million natives, 14.3 percent of the population. (The CIA World Fact Book lists 30 percent of Mexicans as Amerindian). Only in Bolivia have Native Americans gained a semblance of power, with the rise of Evo Morales as president....Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews

Martin Edwin Andersen's text is a much needed commentary and examination of comparative ethnic nationalism pertaining to the indigenous peoples of Latin America. Often treated as outside of the sociopolitical realm, this population's political mobilization in recent decades has forced governments and intellectuals alike to acknowledge its consequential force as a political power.

Johns Hopkins University Sais Alumni News No. 50

Martin Edwin Andersen presents a fascinating and comprehensive perspective on Latin American history focusing on the lesser told but nonetheless important story of indigenous rights across the Western Hemisphere. . . . The author's historical expertise, intimate regional awareness, and comprehensive knowledge of the literature are evident throughout. The documentation of the sources used is also impressive, with fully thirty pages of bibliographic references chock-full of important sources . . . providing researchers with a tremendous resource. Over thirty-five pages of highly detailed endnotes are a further reflection of the depth of scholarship and the meticulousness of the author's research. . . . It deserves to be widely read, from the classroom to the forward operating base, filling a need in the field for such a holistic and comprehensive approach to state-tribal relations - in the Americas, and beyond.

The Culture and Conflict Review

Peoples of the Earth: Ethnonationalism, Democracy, and the Indigenous Challenge in 'Latin' America by Martin Edwin Andersen presents a fascinating and comprehensive perspective on Latin American history focusing on the lesser told but nonetheless important story of indigenous rights across the hemisphere…The narrative flows naturally and smoothly, and with a rapid pace and energetic style making the manuscript a delight to read, blending the best of academic analysis with a refreshing journalistic pacing….This work deserves to be widely read, from the classroom to the forward operating base, and to remain in print for many years to come, as it fills a need in the field for such a holistic and comprehensive approach to state-tribe relations, in the Americas and around the world.

Thesourdough.Com

Peoples of the Earth responds to the need for a text that opens a new dimension of Latin American area studies. The work is highly original, insightful, and presents an even handed representation of the issues. The highest praise that can be given to any academic writing is that it stimulates thought, discussion and further research. Anderson has done just that with Peoples of the Earth….This book is the perfect counterbalance to the traditionalist Latin America area specialist and its insights should be part of any curriculum dealing with the region.

Security and Defense Studies Review

Peoples of the Earth is a rich and well documented work that not only covers several dimensions of the problem of incorporation of indigenous peoples, but also follows a clear agenda that aims at intervention and influencing policy design. It is therefore a book that should be read as both an academic piece of work and, perhaps more importantly, as a contribution to the political analysis for the accomplishment of indigenous demands and needs.

Journal Of Multilingual & Multicultural Development