"Rarely has the story of Latin American independence been told so richly and with such a plurality of voices. Chambers and Chasteen have expertly woven a comprehensive yet accessible historical tapestry of primary sources to tell the story of the Wars for Independence. The editors recover fascinating, lesser-known voices---many of which appear in English for the first time here---and situate them alongside canonical sources in rewarding and surprising ways. This is an indispensable resource for students and scholars alike, and an invitation to critically rethink the multiple meanings and resonance of Latin American independence." Christopher Conway, The University of Texas at Arlington"This magnificent collection gives voice to the many peoples---women and men, Blacks and Whites, natives and newcomers---who watched, fought, fled, and most especially put pen to paper as the Iberian empires broke up. All of them bring history to life. The introductions to each document, themselves valuable little essays, will guide even the untutored through the complex labyrinth of Latin America's first revolutions." --Jeremy Adelman, Princeton UniversityMaps and illustrations are included, as are a chronology of the Wars for Independence, suggestions for further reading, and a thorough index.