"Imagining Central America: A Short History is a concise review of major events and social, political, and economic movements in the seven countries that comprise Central America: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Given the strategic location of Central America, its importance to U.S. foreign policy, and the flow of migration from the region to other parts of the world, succinct historical summaries of the countries of Central America are a useful resource to students and teachers, policy makers, journalists, and others interested in the region. U.S. foreign policy-strategic economic interests, aid, military assistance, and military intervention-has played a significant role in the history of Central America and this legacy informs many of today's current events in the region as well. Each chapter focuses on an individual country, mapping a timeline of key events and themes. Imagining Central America was funded by a grant from Seattle International Foundation with recognition of the importance in developing a resource to educate important stakeholders about Central America"--

Serena Cosgrove is a Sociologist and Anthropologist. She is an Associate Professor of International Studies and the Director of Latin American Studies at Seattle University; she currently serves as the Faculty Coordinator for SU's Central America Initiative. Her previous books include the co-authored book, Understanding Global Poverty: Causes, Capabilities, and Human Development (2018), and Leadership from the Margins: Women and Civil Society Organizations in Argentina, Chile, and El Salvador (2010).