This is a collection of source documents and essays, written for the most part by Costa Rican authors. It covers the political and economic history of the country and emphasizes its liberal reformist tradition as exceptional in Central America. Several pieces demonstrate the long history of United States involvement in that country; memos to Oliver North are included. Oscar Arias Sanchez, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and president of Costa Rica, is the final author represented in the book. There is an excellent short bibliography. Relatively little has been published in North America about Costa Rica; thus The Costa Rica Reader is a significant addition to any Central American collection.- Mary Margaret Benson, Linfield Coll. Lib., McMinnville, Ore.
