Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Historical Dictionary of U.S. Latino Literature (Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts)

U.S. Latino Literature is defined as Latino literature within the United States that embraces the heterogeneous inter-groupings of Latinos. For too long U.S. Latino literature has not been thought of as an integral part of the overall shared American literary landscape, but that is slowly changing. This dictionary aims to rectify some of those misconceptions by proving that Latinos do fundamentally express American issues, concerns and perspectives with a flair in linguistic cadences, familial themes, distinct world views, and cross-cultural voices. The Historical Dictionary of U.S. Latino Literature contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has cross-referenced entries on U.S. Latino/a authors, and terms relevant to the nature of U.S. Latino literature in order to illustrate and corroborate its foundational bearings within the overall American literary experience. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about this subject. Review This recent new release in the publisher's 'Historical Dictionaries' series surveys Latino literature, which the authors represent as foundational to the study of American literature. Authors Urioste and Villaseñor, and Lomelí offer detailed entries on seminal Latino writers past and present. In addition, they include a useful chronology, an introduction, and a robust bibliography divided into two sections that focus on individual writers and criticism of those key writers. Their book is impressive in its scope and breath, and makes an important gesture to include pre-Columbian sources and references to such figures as the Aztec poet Nezahualcóyotl. Also striking is the depth of most entries, which offer a nuanced historical context. The work is a well-organized and thoroughly conceptualized practical guide to the writers and their critics. It would make a useful companion to undergraduate or graduate courses in Chicano and Latino studies, but it is also a critical reference work for libraries and individuals to own. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels of students through researchers/faculty; general readers.--CHOICE About the Author Francisco A. Lomelí is a professor in the Departments of Spanish & Portuguese and Chicana/o Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). His areas of expertise include: Chicano/a literature (particularly literary history and the novel), Latin American Literature (the novel, Mexico and the Southern Cone), Spanish for Heritage Speakers, Cultural Studies, and Chicano Studies in general. Donaldo W. Urioste is a Professor of Spanish language and Hispanic literatures at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). His area of expertise include Spanish Language, Latin American, and Chicano literature and culture courses. María Joaquina Villaseñor is an associate professor of Chicano/a-Latino/a Studies at California State University, Monterey. Her research interests include Chicano/a-Latino/a literature and history, and Chicanos/as-Latino/as in higher education,