Deborah T. Levenson Boeken

DIVAn interdisciplinary anthology on the largest, most populous nation in Central America, covering Guatemalan history, culture, literature and politics and containing many primary sources not previously published in English./div

The book explores the evolution of Guatemalan gangs, known as Maras, from the 1980s to the early 2000s, highlighting how once-safe spaces for youth transformed into violent environments where death became commonplace. Levenson connects the rise of these gangs to broader issues such as urban decay, the drug trade, and the military's suppression of social movements. By depicting the Maras as reflections of larger societal tragedies, the author raises critical questions about trauma, memory, and the struggle for agency among youth seeking to escape gang life.