Dym (Latin American history, Skidmore College) and Belaubre (Latin American history, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Colombia) compile nine essays that consider how Spanish policies known as the Bourbon Reforms impacted Central American social, economic, and political institutions. They examine small communities in the region and the entire area, specific reforms, their consequences, and changes that appeared in the eighteenth century. Using a variety of methods, the studies concentrate on San Salvador, church financiers in Guatemala City, city government, trade, the Quetzaltenango Aguardiente monopoly, the Atlantic Coast, the regulation of sexual mores in Costa Rica, José de Bustamente, and social elites. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)