Russell Crandall is professor of Latin American studies and political science at Davidson College. From 2009 to 2011, he served as a senior official in the Obama Administration, first as principal director for the Western Hemisphere at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and then as director for Andean Affairs at the National Security Council at the White House. His other books include Driven by Drugs: U.S. Policy Toward Colombia; Gunboat Democracy: U.S. Interventions in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Panama; The United States and Latin America after the Cold War; America’s Dirty Wars: Irregular Warfare from 1776 to the War on Terror; The Salvador Option: The United States in El Salvador, 1977-1992; Drugs and Thugs: The History and Future of America’s War on Drugs; and “Our Hemisphere”?: The United States in Latin America, from 1776 to the 21st Century.
Russell Crandall has crafted vivid portraits of a diverse cast of characters--beyond the usual suspects--who have left a profound mark on the fabric of Latin American societies. The result is a veritable kaleidoscope of ideas and power dynamics that sheds light on the region's disappointments and frustrations, along with its vibrancy and resilience. Forging Latin America is a delightful read, highly recommended for anyone interested in the region's fascinating history and politics.