Klaren’s book is 400 pages of Peruvian history. Interesting, but dense. The text skips quickly through pre-conquest times. Although more information on this period would be welcome, the lack of accurate records of this period gives the historian little to work with.
Klaren focuses on economic and social change from the Spanish conquest through the administration of Alberto Fujimori. Great care is taken to describe the political twists and turns of the twentieth century, with detailed attention given to the ideological development of the political party APRA. Klaren is surefooted in distinguishing the different Marxist traditions that birthed different parties and movements in Peru.
Perhaps shortchanged is the human drama of the Sendero years. Klaren, in places, relates movingly the Spanish perversion of the Incan mita system in the silver mines of Potosiand the rubber plantations. But, the terror of Sendero is related in a much more abstract manner. We get plenty of background on Guzman’s education, philosophical development, academic career, recruitment of students, and eventual capture. But, we learn only in broad outline the effect on the populace.
These minor criticisms aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am much more confident of my understanding of Peru. Klaren corrected my misperception that oriental migration to Peru took place after the second world war (it took place after the first) and helped me to understand the reasons for decades of financial turmoil in country that once boasted a wealth of natural resources.
I recommend this book to those with more than a passing interest in Peru.
