A Hispanic and Latino presence in what is now the United States goes back to Spanish settlement in the sixteenth century in Florida and the progressive U.S. conquest of the Spanish-controlled territory of California and the Southwest by 1853 and the Gadsden Purchase. Mexicans in this newly American territory had to struggle to hold on to their land. The overlooked history and the debates over new immigration from Mexico and Central America are illuminated by this first state-by-state history of people termed Latinos or Hispanics. Much of this information is hard to find and has never been researched before. Students and other readers will be able to trace the Latino presence through time per state through a chronology and historical overview and read about noteworthy Latinos in the state and the cultural contributions Latinos have made to communities in that state. Taken together, a more complete picture of Latinos emerges. The information allows understanding of the current status-where the Latino presence is now, what types of work they are doing, and how they are faring in places with only a small Latino presence.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia are covered in individual chapters. A chronology starts the chapter, giving the main dates of Latino presence and important events and population figures. The historical overview is the core of the chapter. The cast of Latino presence and how they have made their livelihood along with relations with non-Latinos are discussed. A Notable Latinos section then provides a number of short biographical profiles. Cultural contributions are showcased in the final section, followed by a bibliography. A selected bibliography and photos complement the chapters.
Mark Overmyer-Velázquez is Associate Professor of History at the University of Connecticut. He authored Visions of the Emerald City: Modernity, Tradition and the Formation of Porfirian Oaxaca, Mexico (2006) and was general editor for the Latino-American History set (2006).
Awards
Editors' Choice, 2009—Booklist, January 1, 2010
Reviews
"Latino America: A State by State Encyclopedia is a fascinating and valuable reference work. It sheds light on the growing influence and impact of the fastest growing minority in America. . . . Although grounded in scholarship and edited and authored by academics this work should have broad appeal and will be of equal use to high school students, undergraduates and the general reader. Larger libraries where there is strong demand (and equally strong budgets) may want to place the print edition in circulation and use the eBook version for reference."—Against the Grain, January 25, 2010
"This new encyclopedia explores the history and impact of the Latino population in each of the United States of America. Each entry consists of a chronology and historical overview of Latino history in the state, brief biographies of notable Latinos and a survey of cultural contributions. . . this guide will serve to introduce high school students, undergraduates, and general readers to growing influence of what is now the largest minority population in the United States."—Lawrence Looks at Books, December 1, 2008
"[T]his work merits purchase."—VOYA, April 9, 2009
"Given that Latinos/as are the 'majority minority' in the United States, this source is timely and a welcome addition for
many reference collections. . . . This is an important set for researchers studying the Latino population, especially those looking for state-specific information. Summing Up: Highly recommended."—Choice, June 1, 2009
"Educator (Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, University of Connecticut) and editor Overmyer-Velázquez’s Latino America: A State-by-State Encyclopedia is a relevant, one-of-a-kind, and 'uniquely conceptualized' encyclopedia addressing 'the historical significance of the growing' Latino population in the U.S. Written from a Latino cultural perspective and designed to be 'more exploratory and suggestive' than comprehensive, the reference is a noteworthy work that successfully illustrates Latino contributions and struggles. . . . The reference makes an excellent companion to works like The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States (2005) and is highly recommended for academic and large public libraries. Small and medium-sized public libraries might also consider it, depending on community needs. Also available as an e-book."—Booklist, Starred Review, June 1, 2009
"These volumes will serve as an indispensable resource for scholars determining where and when to begin their studies, and for those seeking to study Latinos at the state or local level."—MultiCultural Review, July 28, 2009
"The mix of demographic, historic, cultural, and biographical data is both unique and extensive. The prose style employed by all contributors is clear, lucid, and comprehensible to a general reader. ...On the whole, this is an informative resource that fills a needed gap. Latino America is recommended for mid-size and large public libraries, and for undergraduate academic libraries."—Reference & User Services Quarterly, October 1, 2009
"The Encyclopedia deserves to be an important reference work in community and public libraries, especially in those locations that comprise 84 percent of the geographic coverage in which people of 'Latin American' background have not traditionally resided, much less accorded a place at the table."—ARBA, May 1, 2009
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