America, América: A New History of the New World

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America, América: A New History of the New World

Acclaimed historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Greg Grandin delivers a sweeping reinterpretation of the history of the Americas in America, América, an ambitious work that challenges conventional narratives about the origins of the modern Western Hemisphere. Spanning more than five centuries, this landmark history explores the deep and often turbulent relationship between North and South America, revealing how their intertwined histories shaped not only each other but also the political ideals, institutions, and global order that continue to influence the world today.

Traditional accounts of American history often focus on the United States’ cultural and political ties to Europe. Grandin presents a strikingly different perspective, arguing that the nation’s identity was just as profoundly forged through its long and complex relationship with Latin America. At the same time, Latin America’s own political, cultural, and social development evolved in constant dialogue—and often conflict—with its powerful northern neighbor. Through this fresh lens, the book reimagines the history of the New World as a shared story of cooperation, resistance, rivalry, and transformation.

Beginning with the Spanish conquest of the Americas—one of the most devastating demographic catastrophes in human history—the narrative follows the rise and fall of empires, the struggles for independence, the expansion of republican ideals, and the shifting balance of power across the hemisphere. Grandin traces pivotal moments including the wars of liberation, the emergence of the Monroe Doctrine, the influence of slavery and colonialism, the revolutions and military coups of the twentieth century, and the diplomatic struggles that helped define the modern international order.

Throughout this expansive history, the book demonstrates how events in Latin America repeatedly influenced political developments far beyond the region itself. Grandin examines how resistance to foreign intervention helped inspire new approaches to international law and diplomacy, contributing to institutions such as the United Nations and reshaping global conversations about sovereignty, human rights, and self-determination. He also explores how policies such as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy strengthened international cooperation and enhanced the United States’ moral leadership during the fight against fascism in World War II.

The narrative introduces readers to many of history’s most influential figures while also bringing attention to remarkable individuals whose contributions have often been overlooked. Well-known personalities such as Bartolomé de las Casas, Simón Bolívar, and Woodrow Wilson appear alongside fascinating historical figures including Francisco de Miranda, the Venezuelan revolutionary who envisioned an independent Latin America long before it became reality; Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, whose assassination transformed Colombian and Cold War history; and journalist Ernest Gruening, whose advocacy for non-interventionism helped redefine American foreign policy.

Drawing on decades of research and an extraordinary range of historical sources, Grandin revisits major themes including colonialism, slavery, race, democracy, imperialism, diplomacy, and social justice. Rather than viewing these subjects through isolated national histories, he reveals how the experiences of nations throughout the hemisphere continually influenced one another, producing ideas and institutions that would eventually shape global politics.

The book explores:

• The interconnected histories of North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean over five centuries.
• The lasting impact of European colonialism, conquest, and resistance.
• The struggles for independence that transformed the Americas.
• The influence of U.S.–Latin American relations on international diplomacy and global institutions.
• The evolution of democracy, human rights, and ideas of universal justice.
• The historical roots of modern political tensions, authoritarianism, and social democracy.
• The individuals, movements, and pivotal events that reshaped the Western Hemisphere.

Written with both scholarly depth and engaging narrative style, America, América combines meticulous historical research with compelling storytelling, making complex historical developments accessible to a broad audience. Grandin connects political history with cultural, social, and intellectual movements, offering readers a richer understanding of how the Americas developed through centuries of conflict, negotiation, migration, and shared aspirations.

More than a history of two continents, America, América presents a bold reexamination of the New World itself. By illuminating the enduring connections between the United States and Latin America, Greg Grandin challenges long-held assumptions and invites readers to reconsider the forces that have shaped modern democracy, international relations, and the global pursuit of freedom, equality, and human dignity. Thought-provoking, comprehensive, and deeply insightful, this remarkable work offers a fresh perspective on the past while providing valuable context for understanding the political and social challenges of the present.