"A student-friendly text that tells the story of the development of the Andean republics and their people by emphasizing the themes of continuity and change over time. Henderson presents a succinct, narrative approach to Andean history that limits details about political coups and instead focuses on broader comparative social and culture aspects"--Provided by publisher.

The only comprehensive history of Andean South America from initial settlement to the present, this book focuses on Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, the four countries where the Andes have played a major role in shaping history. Although Henderson emphasises the period since the winning of independence in 1825, he argues that the region's republican history cannot be explained without a clear understanding of what happened in the pre-Hispanic and colonial eras.