Sometimes dangerous and chaotic but always lively and cosmopolitan,
Buenos Aires attracts tourists from all over the world. The largest city
in Argentina, this South American capital crackles with passion for
tango, soccer, art, and food. In this handy travel guide, Buenos Aires
local Jason Wilson provides a window into the city’s history while also
exploring its streets today.
Wilson offers a history of Buenos
Aires’s beginnings as a Spanish colony in the sixteenth century,
describing how it evolved from a port city for European trade to a
booming, multicultural regional capital that became the leading
destination for European immigrants. He examines the many swings between
authoritarian and democratic governments the city has experienced
during its history and sorts out the urban myths from the real story of
the monuments, buildings, and people of Buenos Aires. The book also
includes essays on present-day Buenos Aires—its parks, cemeteries,
museums, and bookshops—to reveal what makes the city tick. Illustrated
throughout with contemporary photos and compelling historical images, Buenos Aires provides useful references for travelers looking for restaurant, hotel, and itinerary ideas.
One of the first titles in Reaktion’s new CityScopes series,
this social and urban history is an authoritative introduction and
intimate guide to this vibrant, alluring city, past and present.
