The Course of Mexican History

by Michael C. Meyer, William L. Sherman

This highly regarded text, long the standard in its field, draws on both classic and recent sources to provide a comprehensive survey of Mexican history from the pre-Columbian period to the present. Covering Mexico's story from a broad range of perspectives―political, economic, social, and cultural―this fully revised fifth edition incorporates the passage of NAFTA, an assessment of the Salinas administration, the repudiation of the Revolution, the assassination of Mexico's leading presidential candidate, Luis Donaldo Colosio, and the rebellion of Maya Indians in Chiapas in 1994. Lavishly illustrated throughout, this authoritative classic is indispensable for students of Mexican history, politics, and culture.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Latin American History, American, College

768 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

A specialist in the history of Mexico, Michael Carl Meyer, was Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Arizona, where he taught from 1973 until his retirement in 1996. He earned his Ph.D. in 1963 from the University of New Mexico, and taught at the University of Nebraska, from 1963 until he took up his post at the University of Arizona.

Reviews

[Tomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good survey of the landmark events in Mexican history. The analysis of the history becomes laughable, however, in the modern Mexican era; particularly from 1980 on. The author walks on eggshells as he narrates the last thirty years of Mexico - these are the years of the destructive globalization experiment in Mexico and the rest of the world. The author gives Presidents Carlos Salinas de Gortari and Ernesto Zedillo, the architect of NAFTA and the intellectual author of the Acteal massacre respectively, free passes on criticism and judgement. For the sophisticated reader of Mexican history these editorials are offensive and disingenuous.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a textbook, I was hoping for more of a popular non-fiction type book, but it was definitely a textbook. Regardless, I read it cover to cover and really learned a lot. It was a high level overview of the entire span of Mexican history. It never got into super boring details since it was all high level. Definitely worth reading if you want the full overview of all of Mexican history and politics.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a textbook, I don’t know what you want me to say

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable, well-written introductory college text on Mexican history. Highly recommended.

[Ashley B · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a textbook, this is surprisingly compelling. The authors easily move from the Olmec period to the present and, although they do seem to gloss over elements, they manage to pull together the multiple threads of Mexican history, leaving the reader with a clear sense of the competing forces that continue to pull at the nation today.

[Albie]

The Course of Mexican History by Michael C. Meyer (2002)

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quality overview of Mexican history. Easily readable and digestable. If you ever wanted to start a study of Mexican history, this is the place to do it.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read and very informative. I learned a lot.