The Mexico Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers)
Product ID: 1443669
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The Mexico Reader is a vivid introduction to muchos Méxicos —the many Mexicos, or the many varied histories and cultures that comprise contemporary Mexico. Unparalleled in scope and written for the traveler, student, and expert alike, the collection offers a comprehensive guide to the history and culture of Mexico—including its difficult, uneven modernization; the ways the country has been profoundly shaped not only by Mexicans but also by those outside its borders; and the extraordinary economic, political, and ideological power of the Roman Catholic Church. The book looks at what underlies the chronic instability, violence, and economic turmoil that have characterized periods of Mexico’s history while it also celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage. A diverse collection of more than eighty selections, The Mexico Reader brings together poetry, folklore, fiction, polemics, photoessays, songs, political cartoons, memoirs, satire, and scholarly writing. Many pieces are by Mexicans, and a substantial number appear for the first time in English. Works by Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes are included along with pieces about such well-known figures as the larger-than-life revolutionary leaders Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata; there is also a comminiqué from a more recent rebel, Subcomandante Marcos. At the same time, the book highlights the perspectives of many others—indigenous peoples, women, politicians, patriots, artists, soldiers, rebels, priests, workers, peasants, foreign diplomats, and travelers. The Mexico Reader explores what it means to be Mexican, tracing the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times through the country’s epic revolution (1910–17) to the present day. The materials relating to the latter half of the twentieth century focus on the contradictions and costs of postrevolutionary modernization, the rise of civil society, and the dynamic cross-cultural zone marked by the two thousand-mile Mexico-U.S. border. The editors have divided the book into several sections organized roughly in chronological order and have provided brief historical contexts for each section. They have also furnished a lengthy list of resources about Mexico, including websites and suggestions for further reading. Review: The Mexico Reader - If I had known this book before I could have helped my students a lot better than I did. Why do I like this book so much? Because it is a very wise selection of a very wide variety of texts about Mexican history and culture. It is a great anthology that will give its readers a very good picture of Mexican Culture. The authors chosen are excellent. If you are a student or a teacher of Mexican Culture, this is a book you should read. Moreover, for those of you that only want to reach the Medieval ideal: Mixing learning and enjoyment, this is also a book for you. Dr. Rafael Furlong De la G. (PhD Litt.) Review: Interesting Read! - I particularly enjoyed reading and further learning about Mexican culture and tradition. It touches on subjects, that I as a Mexican born, but U.S. educated, had not learned about. It was a fabulous introductory history book and analysis on Mexican history. This is one of those books from college I know I will keep in my personal library collection for years to come. It begins with our indigenous roots and touches into various cultural beliefs and customs and explains them in a manner that made everything "click". Truly recommend this book if you are searching for a precise yet interesting read on mexican culture and history!
| Best Sellers Rank | #504,513 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #140 in General Mexico Travel Guides #402 in Mexico History |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 235 Reviews |
R**A
The Mexico Reader
If I had known this book before I could have helped my students a lot better than I did. Why do I like this book so much? Because it is a very wise selection of a very wide variety of texts about Mexican history and culture. It is a great anthology that will give its readers a very good picture of Mexican Culture. The authors chosen are excellent. If you are a student or a teacher of Mexican Culture, this is a book you should read. Moreover, for those of you that only want to reach the Medieval ideal: Mixing learning and enjoyment, this is also a book for you. Dr. Rafael Furlong De la G. (PhD Litt.)
S**M
Interesting Read!
I particularly enjoyed reading and further learning about Mexican culture and tradition. It touches on subjects, that I as a Mexican born, but U.S. educated, had not learned about. It was a fabulous introductory history book and analysis on Mexican history. This is one of those books from college I know I will keep in my personal library collection for years to come. It begins with our indigenous roots and touches into various cultural beliefs and customs and explains them in a manner that made everything "click". Truly recommend this book if you are searching for a precise yet interesting read on mexican culture and history!
D**Y
Used as a texbook - surprisingly liked it!
I purchased Mexico Reader as a textbook for my Chicano History classes, and found myself so into it that I read it all ( vs. only several parts needed for class). Very interesting recollections and/or opinions of historians on the events of Mexican history. Just the story about Aztecs and their culture worth buying it. I had a certain opinion (like we all do), but after reading it I know it was baseless and I didn't know dang about it... It is way more complicated that most of the people seem to think. Some of the articles include actual historical pieces and can be a bit tedious for a modern reader to swallow, but majority of the content is very well-thought-of and composed of interesting and captivating features. If you interested in Chicano studies, I would highly recommend this book - it talks about a lot of nuances (like soldaderas for example) that are usually overlooked in regular books on the subject. It has some sort of spirit to it that let you not just read it as a book, but actually makes you understand what people felt as they were going through events of Mexican history.
R**T
Excellent Resource for Understanding Mexico
I am a Norte Americano residing in Mexico and wished to gain a rudimentary understanding and perspective on the history, multiple cultures and continually evolving politics of this nation. A friend loaned me this book and I found it precisely met my needs and wants. I decided to buy my own copy because as I continue to learn and discover more about Mexico and Mexicans, I find myself referring back to the book as a valuable resource to provide perspective. A recommended read for anyone who is a serious student of Mexico or who lives in or extensively travels throughout Mexico
R**E
Fajitas for the mind
Mexico's history in bite size chunks, and with plent of meat. Cannot recommend this book too higly. Nearly 800 pages containing close to 100 essays and excerpts, all carefully chosen and very readable, cover Mexico's history from the bad old heart-ripping-out days through the machinations of modern politics. While this kind of book can so often be dry and mind-numbing, this collection is fresh and fascinating, partly because of the varying viewpoints and writing style of the many authors.
H**R
one of the best readers I have used
I love this reader! it has a great mix of primary and secondary sources. One of my favorite things about it is that the selections are long enough to really give a sense of source. Often in these readers they sacrifice length and so each document is stunted. This is an imposing looking book- but provides a great overview of Mexican History.
J**N
Outstanding collection
Different and refreshing approach to Mexican history. Insightful and informative selections from both well known and more obscure original sources. Sections are brief and on point. Excellent bedside book. Outstanding as a stand alone work and valuable as a reference to more complete treatment of subjects you find particularly interesting. Balanced and objective. Best work on Mexico I've read in quite some time.
J**R
Great anthology
Great anthology!! The introductions are very helpful for framing the texts, and the original texts are great selections and a really helpful launch into Mexico history.
U**E
Sehr gut
War ein Geschenk und ist sehr gut angekommen
A**R
This is a really cool book. I need it for a class but ...
This is a really cool book. I need it for a class but we all find it quite interesting.
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