LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority

Born in Lima to a U.S. mother and a Peruvian father, National Book Award finalist Arana (inaugural literary director of the Library of Congress; Bolivar: Silver, Sword, and Stone) offers insight into the history and experiences of Latino people in the United States. Arana outlines how the history of U.S. two-party politics combined with ongoing efforts to revamp the immigration system skewed views of Latinos who hail from as far south as Chile and include refugees from the Dominican Republic as well as U.S. citizens born in Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S. Supported by Cynthia Farrell’s clear, emotive narration, Arana draws attention to how the United States welcomed Spanish-speaking laborers from other countries for years, only to promptly deport them when competition with U.S.-born workers became too stiff. Farrell captures Arana’s impassioned tone, extolling the resiliency of generations who put down roots in the States and whose children and grandchildren have contributed significantly to the country’s economy, international affairs, the arts, government, and daily life.