Reference Library of Hispanic America

Four deluxe volumes — a superb resource for learning the history and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans, from early Spanish exploration to contemporary life.

About the Series

The four-volume Reference Library of Hispanic America is based on the Hispanic American Almanac and is a superb resource for learning the history and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans. The series describes all major aspects of the culture and civilization of Hispanics living in the United States. Subject-specific chapters cover topics such as women, religion, literature, landmarks, art, and business, with photos, a glossary, a bibliography, and a general subject index adding research value throughout.

The set is careful with a point students often miss: much Hispanic American history is not an immigration story at all. Spanish-speaking communities of the Southwest predate the United States itself, and chapters on early explorers, colonial settlement, and the “Mexico Lindo” generation give that longer arc its due alongside the modern experiences of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Central and South American communities.

Topics Covered

Hispanic diversity — Cuba and Puerto Rico — the Hispanic American family — outstanding Hispanic women — the Mexico Lindo generation — religion — Hispanic American organizations — Latino art, sports, and science — Spanish America — indigenous Caribbean and Mexican populations — famous Hispanic Americans.

Volume by Volume

• Volume I: Chronology — Historical Overview — Spanish Explorers and Colonizers — Significant Documents — Historic Landmarks — The Institution of the Hispanic Family
• Volume II: Relations with Spain and Spanish America — Population Growth and Distribution — Language — The “Mexico Lindo” Generation
• Volume III: Law and Politics — Education — Business — Labor and Employment — Outstanding Hispanic Women — Religion — Organizations — Scholarship — Literature — Art
• Volume IV: Theater — Films — Music — Media — Science — Sports — Prominent Hispanics

In the Classroom and Library

An ideal resource for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) lesson plans and for year-round units on the Southwest, labor history, and bilingual America. The federal Hispanic Heritage Month portal aggregates free exhibits and teaching resources from the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian that extend the printed chapters. For deeper scholarly coverage, pair this set with the Encyclopedia of Latinos & Latinas in the United States.

Reading Pathways

The longer-arc route opens with Volume I's chapters on Spanish explorers and colonial settlement — establishing that Hispanic history in North America predates Jamestown — before reaching the modern era. Students consistently find this re-ordering of the familiar timeline the set's most memorable lesson. The communities route distinguishes the very different histories gathered under one label: Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban American, Dominican, and Central American experiences each get distinct treatment, and reading them side by side guards against flattening. The culture route moves through Volumes III and IV — literature, theater, film, music, media — and pairs well with Spanish-language class collaboration.

For data extensions, the indigenous Caribbean and Mexican populations chapter connects to ongoing scholarship; students can compare the set's treatment with current census categories at the U.S. Census Bureau's data portal, a contrast that itself teaches how categories evolve.

Reference Details

Format

4 deluxe hardcover volumes; appendix, bibliography, glossary, index

Length

Approximately 1,000 pages

Editor

Nicolás Kanellos

ISBN

0-7876-7638-1 (0787676381)

Reading level

Middle and high school; teacher resource for elementary grades

To find this set in a library near you, search WorldCat by title or ISBN. See also the rest of the series guide or the complete 31-volume collection.