This study of the political, economic, and socio-cultural relationship between the Dominican Republic and the United States follows its evolution from the middle of the nineteenth century to the mid-1990s. It deals with the interplay of these dimensions from each country's perspective and in both private and public interactions.

From the U.S. viewpoint, important issues include interpretation of the rise and fall of the Dominican Republic's strategic importance, the legacy of military intervention and occupation, the problem of Dominican dictatorship and instability, and vacillating U.S. efforts to "democratize" the country. From the Dominican perspective, the essential themes involve foreign policies adopted from a position of relative weakness, ambivalent love-hate views toward the United States, emphasis on economic interests and the movement of Dominicans between the two countries, international political isolation, the adversarial relationship with neighboring Haiti, and the legacy of dictatorship and the uneven evolution of a Dominican-style democratic system.

The Dominican Republic and the United States is the eleventh book in The United States and the Americas series, volumes suitable for classroom use.

"(An) extremely well written and intelligently crafted work". -- Choice

"Undoubtedly the most useful book to date on Cuba-United States relations". -- The Journal of American History

"A masterful overview. Perez's surehanded delineation of continuing themes in Cuban-American relations provides a context for specific events that clarifies their meaning. Clearly written, economical, and focused on what is really important, this bookis an excellent introduction". -- The Journal of Southern History

"Thompson and Randall have succeeded magnificently. This is an important book that promises to become a standard in the field". -- The Journal of American History

"Two respected historians have purposely broadened their approach to their subject, venturing for beyond a mere history of the foreign relations between the United States and Canada". -- Library Journal

"A sure-footed assessment". -- American Historical Review

"Informative and entertaining". -- Times Literary Supplement