Nuestra America

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This compelling exploration delves into the intersections of Jewish and indigenous Latin American thought through a family memoir. Eminent anthropologist Claudio Lomnitz recounts his grandparents' exile from Eastern Europe to South America, using their journey as a lens to analyze the worldview and culture of countries like Peru, Colombia, and Chile. His grandparents, both shaped by the pioneering spirit of early Zionism, engaged deeply with the Peruvian leftist intellectual scene, linking the country's indigenous heritage to a broader emancipatory internationalism that embraced Jewish culture. After facing imprisonment due to their socialist beliefs, they were exiled to Colombia, navigating its political landscape and class system. Lomnitz reflects on the limited recognition South America receives in U.S. public opinion, extending the narrative to Chile during World War II, Israel in the 1950s, and his own upbringing in Berkeley and Mexico City. With a vivid and engaging style, Lomnitz transcends the family memoir genre, creating an intellectual space that intertwines personal history with the broader context of Latin American culture and history.