Comparing Three Books - Essay Example

Comparing Three Books Introduction In the wake of the development of America, a number of happenings entered the historical books as the aspects involved and the nature of leadership needed to prevail the country to its current state. These provided for the growth of the nation, its political system and the relationship between the two with an influential aspect of leadership that drove democratic changes into the political field. Studying this history pages major occurrences and events that led to the establishment of a democracy that exists to date depict the level of development the country has undergone and the effects that it has had on the country and its people. Considering the books attached, one discovers a strong connection to history that it has provided. The books as history pieces detail the development of the country and the attributes that made it unique from the rest. The study below provides a comparative approach to the three books the fish that ate the whale by Rich Cohen, an environmental history of Latin America by Shawn William Miller and the oxford handbook of Latin American history by Jose Moya. The comparative study of these details the summary of each book, followed by a comparison that details the similarities and differences based on the impact they had on the American society. Summary of the Fish That Ate the Whale The story related by Cohen indicates a story of a young man Zemurray who developed his banana business, through it influenced a revolution, and led to changes in leadership in the country from which he obtained supplies. The story pegs the young man as an influence to society and one that people learned to recognize despite the spite that some had over his chutzpah and abilities. These explain why many referred to him as a banana cowboy. “I want here to sing an ode to the banana cowboy, that wild, unshaven, hell-raising fighter of yore, terror of the isthmus, hired gun in time of conflict, filibuster in time of revolution, arrived from the streets of New Orleans and San Francisco and Galveston”. These words as summarized in the New York Times by Mark Lewis provide a candid description of the developer of the banana man. Through this trade established by Zemmuray, a number of impacts were registered in the Central American Countries. These explain why in the book his life is described as “a parable of the American dream” (Cohen, p.xii). The personality that Zemuray portrayed indicated to the world the abilities that he had in ensuring that things happened. This ability placed him central in the history of the country. The presence of this man in an area had tensions rise. Followed by almost every person with the government keen on his moves made him turn into a silent commander of the country, Zemurray created history. Referred to as real-life Dumas hero by New York Times, Zemmuray had the word revolution considered a verb (Cohen, p4). These led to the revolutionary changes that he brought in the Central American countries. During his banana business developed through the United Fruit Company, Zemurray led to a revolution in various countries with leaders overthrown because of trying to create barriers. In 1890s, Zemurray imported fruits from Honduras and because of trying to stop the influence and exportation of the fruit, President Miguel Davila was overthrown. These led to the development of a reputation for Zemurray. Through the business sense of the banana trade, the banana man played a central role in aiding the economy of the countries that he traded with or in to develop. The works contributed to economic development putting him in the lime again over his actions. These mark some of the contributions that the banana business had on the economy positive. The negative impacts that it had been the brutal approach that the banana man applied in his dealings. The self-centered description fitted him and could explain the phrase “Yankee go home” put to him by those that got tired of his dominance. Summary of an Environmental History of Latin America In this book, Miller details the connection between the environmental developments to the development of the American republic. The detailed description of their existence and the impact that they had on the development of the countries covered. The story develops around the various man made environmental effects that led to an impact to the society. It details the actions of man towards shaping the environmental needs to his needs. Some of the major changes included the shaping of the fertile lands the people contributed towards (Miller, p.8). The impacts of these proved more positive than negative. The actions provided land for farming through which feeding was possible and hence economic development. Avoiding these events may not have proven possible based on the quest developed in the people for finding land to grow food. The second event covered includes the people eating people period that led to major effects in reputation and consideration of the Latin American population (Miller, p.36). The story covers the works that the people engaged in to drain the lakes established in the valley of Mexico. The efforts proved futile based on the nature of the events and the size of the lake. In the same sense, Miller relates the failures of monopoly in providing for the economic solutions to the problems that the locals faced (Radding). The failures proved from the actions of the people some naturally impossible while others proving successful. The general failure of most of the actions of the Latin Americans was their attempt to negate nature. Development of proper systems of management and the approach on more physical means would prove successful. The in adequate machine power during the times made it difficult. In the current world, technology has positively affected the ability of humans to affect nature of some sort. Technology has created the ability to break rocks and make through roads. The ability to move on water even under among many other changes. With technology, more efforts would have proven yielding. Summary of the Oxford Handbook of Latin American History The development of Latin America was rocked with numerous discoveries and actions that had either a positive or a negative impact on the shaping of the current economy. These featured several options that the people had to survive and hence an approach of sustainability and development. In quest to identify the level of sustainability of these means applied, the study of the oxford handbook on Latin American history aims at revealing the answer to this question. The handbook indicates various stories on the American history and its development. They indicate a comparative effect that developed through the thorough consideration of historical happenings. In the handbook, the labor history of Latin America is detailed (Moya, p.342). Following the historical developments, the Latin American world changed. The contribution of each member and communal approach to work and provision of labor allowed for the economic development aspect to take shape and result into a developed economy. The participation of all created a motivating force that allowed for the coverage of huge works within a short time. The labor relationship did not prove all rosy with some conflicts emerging between communities but still the leadership eventually led the country through. The country also had a challenge about religion. The Latin American populations had a poor religious approach to religion. The religious believes affected the consideration of gender especially women in the society (Moya, p.73). These occurred during the country’s quest for establishing their economy and territory but continue to ravage the Latin American side of the world. Current developments have influenced a need to change that has enabled a political transformation that has created major legislative developments to aid in solving the inequality equation (Goodman). Comparison between the Books The books dwell in a different way but all approaching historical events that mark the genesis of the journey to economic, political, social and cultural developments that Latin America suffered. The literature approach provides a similarity between the works and differences that stem from the style, approach and characterization of people in the developments. Similarities The books all consider an approach to history in Latin America and through these they have created a more realistic picture on the occurrences of the times yielding to the developments that saw Latin America liberated. The books all consider the happenings with a dated approach that provides a picture of recorded events that took place during the times in history. They engage more on the happenings more on human activities. Cohen considers the actions of Zemurray while the other books consider the human activities that the economy pegged its development on thoroughly. Differences The books all approach the stories with a different sense. Some books approach the history at a metaphorical angle while others approach it in a direct way. Majorly in the book the fish that ate the whale, the banana man is considered the fish and the massive nature of the people he faced and challenged such as President Miguel Davila represent the Whale. Another difference between the books indicates the characterization in which Cohen considers one character as the major character Zemurray while the other books portray a collective story displaying the traits of a whole community. These indicate to the audience the different styles and approaches that the authors employ in providing a picture of their story. Conclusion In conclusion, these books all discuss much of the happenings through which Latin America developed. They employ various techniques in ensuring that the right message created and passed to the audience through various involvements having taken center stage in economic development. The books detail the icons involved in the historical developments and their roles in the country. The literature approach provides an essence of understanding that the audience obtains and use to dwell on the subjects engaged. The approach provides an understanding of where Latin America is coming from and hence a basis for the development of a future to the countries within it. Despite the different events related in the books, the story all has a relationship in development hence the similarities and differences discussed in the lasts section. The societal effect that each book displays originates from the human activity that has remained central to development in the current world. The difference too may pose an understanding into the books development and the effect on the impact that they have on the audience. Works Cited Cohen, Rich. The Fish that Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of Americas Banana King. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. New York. 2012. Goodman, Donna. The Struggle for Women’s Equality in Latin America. Dissident Voice 2009. Viewed on April 13, 2015 from http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/03/the-struggle-for-womens-equality-in-latin-america/ Mark, Lewis. Banana Republican: The Fish that Ate the Whale by Rich Cohen. The New York Times September 2012. Viewed on April 13, 2015 from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/books/review/the-fish-that-ate-the-whale-by-rich-cohen.html?_r=0 Miller, Shawn, William. An Environmental History of Latin America (New Approaches to the Americas). Cambridge University Press 2007. Moya, Jose. The Oxford Handbook of Latin American History. Oxford University Press 2011. Radding, Cynthia. An Environmental History of Latin America (Review). Project Muse 2008. Viewed on April 13, 2015 from http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/journal_of_colonialism_and_colonial_history/summary/v009/9.2.radding.html Read More