Forums > General > General Forum

hijo de Tejas

Aug 3, 2004, 10:38 AM

Post #1 of 13 (667 views)

Shortcut

New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

I love the Mexican people and the land. I am trying to understand the government.
I know understanding the culture of a country is almost as important as speaking the language.
I am studying the history of Mexico and have read two books.
The two books I have read are "Mexico A Land of Volcanoes: from Cortez to Aleman" by Joseph H. L. Schlarman, published in 1950, and "Distant Neighbors: a Portrait of the Mexicans" by Alan Riding, published in 1989. Both are very good books. Do you recommend I read anything?
Has anyone read the new book "Opening Mexico: the making of a democracy "? I have not read it.

If (without judging the action) the US had not taken the northern part of Mexico, would Texas have young men coming from the US into Texas (Mexico) to work or would Texans be going into the US to work?
Is Mexico becoming a nation of laws or is it going to always have the corruption of the past? Is President Fox doing anything to help or can a Mexican President make much difference? I know the US is not without its faults, but I understand its problems and faults and would like to evaluate the future of my beloved Mexico.
I'm not condemning i'm just asking for your opinion.

Judy in Ags

Aug 12, 2004, 4:39 AM

Post #2 of 13 (561 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hijo de Tejas] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

Both of James Mitchner's books "Mexico" and "Texas", although novels, are filled with history and are great reading. In fact, I've read several others of his including "Alaska", "Chesapeake", "Centenniel (on Colorado) and a few others. They're all good. I'm now reading "The Covenant" which is about South Africa--very interesting.

rockydog85251

Aug 12, 2004, 8:10 PM

Post #3 of 13 (495 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hijo de Tejas] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

I highly recommend reading "The Children of Sanchez" but I can't remember the author's name, however any bookstore or library should be able to look it up by title. There is a sequel book but I haven't read it yet.
This offers great insight into familial dealings in Mexico and was written in the 50's but I encounter the same thing with some of my neighbors every day in this day and age.

I too have read most of Michner's books and he also wrote a book about writing the book "Mexico" and it goes into the details of his travels here gathering info. Some great pictures included in it!

Also not to be forgotten are the Gary Jennings books "Aztec, Aztec Autumn, and Aztec Blood".

I collect books about Mexico and Hawaii, old and current and always learning something new about both places.
It's great fun to read about places that you may have been after the author has written about them.

Enjoy!

Willie
Willie

Don Moore

Aug 12, 2004, 8:17 PM

Post #4 of 13 (491 views)

Shortcut

Re: [rockydog85251] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

Children of Sanchez and The Five Families were two famous books by the anthropologist Oscar Lewis.

They are both excellent reading.
Don Moore

mkirkpatrick

Aug 14, 2004, 5:46 AM

Post #5 of 13 (430 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hijo de Tejas] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

A book which I found to be highly informative is "Mexico-Biography of Power" by Enrique Krauze published in 1997 by Harper-Collins. It is over 800 pages long,quite readable and deals with the period from 1810 to 1996.

In Reply To

NEOhio

Aug 14, 2004, 6:42 AM

Post #6 of 13 (425 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mkirkpatrick] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post |

I have just ordered from Borders "Mexicans & Americans: Cracking the Cultural Code" by Ned Crouch - I'll let you know how it is.

jerezano

Aug 14, 2004, 6:43 AM

Post #7 of 13 (424 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hijo de Tejas] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hello, Yes, in my opinion you should read it. You can reach the New York Times BooK Review of Opening Mexico: The Making of a Democracy by Julia Preston and Samuel Dillon at the following link. Good luck. Adios. Jerezano
http://query.nytimes.com/...3BA15750C0A9629C8B63

Johnnye

Aug 15, 2004, 8:17 AM

Post #8 of 13 (350 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hijo de Tejas] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

Gee, I'm so glad you started this book thread! I'm going to order Opening Mexico, and Sanchez' Children. I read Mexico, a Biography of Power, and it's a great book. Also, if you read Spanish, I'd highly recommend Zapata Sin Bigote, an "as told to" autobiography of Guillermo Arriaga (written by Adriana Malvido) that gives you a marvelous look at dance and the performing arts in Mexico. Arriaga is a ballet dancer and choreographer.
¡Buen leyendo!

hijo de Tejas

Aug 17, 2004, 9:46 AM

Post #9 of 13 (268 views)

Shortcut

Re: [jerezano] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

Thank you for the book review location and for responding. The review looks good, so I ordered it from amazon.

hijo de Tejas

Aug 17, 2004, 10:14 AM

Post #10 of 13 (265 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Don Moore] New book - Opening Mexico : The Making of a Democracy

Can't Post | Private Reply

Don, thanks for responding. I will put them on my wish list. I was also told about a book by email The other Spanish Christ : a study in the spiritual history of Spain and South America by John A. MacKay. It was published in 1932 but was republished lately. I ordered it from amazon also. I noticed you have interest in spiritual growth and I do also. It has been hard for me to understand what I read about the way the church was treated by the Mexicans. This book may help me to understand what the church was like in New Spain.

hijo de Tejas

Aug 17, 2004, 10:18 AM

Post #11 of 13 (264 views)

Shortcut