From an inauspicious start as a muddy backwater of Imperial Spain to a global trading economy, Colin M. Lewis traces the rise and fall of Argentina in this authoritative history. At the heart of this survey is the theme of paradox: why has a country with such enormous economic potential, and such cultral sophistication, suffered so badly in recent years? Focusing particularly on the 19th and 20th centuries, the author outlines the key events, from Independence to the "dirty war", and from the Falklands conflict to the economic and political crises of 2001. He also traces the tumultuous careers of such figures as Rosas, Roca, the Perons and Carlos Menem. Offering an insight into Argentina, this text explores the paradoxes of economic growth and instability, of corruption and democracy, of aspiration, achievement and disillusionment that characterize this land of the conquistadores.