Mexicanos: A History of Mexicans in the United States

by Manuel G. Gonzales

MexicanosA History of Mexicans in the United StatesManuel G. Gonzales

"A thoughtful, thorough survey of events in the history of Mexican-Americans, Chicanos, Mexicanos, Hispanos, and Latinos.... A lively narrative." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Gonzales brings a bracing perspective to this epic story.... Exhaustive and destined for controversy." -- Publishers Weekly

"The author is also especially good in weaving relevant historical developments in Mexico throughout the analysis.... [A] readable, engaging, and lively synthesis." -- David G. Gutierrez, University of California, San Diego

"The best short introduction yet to the history of Mexicans in the U.S." -- Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Mexicanos tells the rich and vibrant story of Mexicans in the United States. Emerging from the ruins of Aztec civilization and from centuries of Spanish contact with indigenous people, Mexican culture followed the Spanish colonial frontier northward and put its distinctive mark on what became the southwestern United States. Shaped by their Indian and Spanish ancestors, deeply influenced by Catholicism, and tempered by an often difficult existence, Mexicans continue to play an important role in U.S. society, even as the dominant Anglo culture strives to assimilate them. Thorough and balanced, this book makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of theMexican population of the United States, a growing minority who will be a vital presence in 21st-century America.

Manuel G. Gonzales is a professor of history at Diablo Valley College and coeditor (with Cynthia M. Gonzales) of En Aquel Entonces, forthcoming from Indiana University Press. His other publications include Andrea Costa and the Rise of Socialism in the Romagna and The Hispanic Elite of the Southwest.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Latinx

424 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gonzales describes the history of the Mexican-American or Chicano/a as he likes to refer to them from the time of Cortes to present day. This thesis is a high quality analysis, although opinionated, of the life of the ethnic Mexicans living in the United States. It is engaging, informative, thoughtful and a well written piece of Mexican-American history. For the lay reader, it is a tough read. He covers all facets of experiences encountered by both immigrants and native Mexicans. His final review of the accomplishments made by the Mexicans living in the United States deals mainly with the liberal arts, such as art, music, sculpture, visual arts (mural painting). However, he omits the accomplishments the Chicano has made in the field of science and sport.

[Julio Cedillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mexicanos taught me what was never covered in my high school history class. A whole demographic is completely wiped from lectures, but Gonzales unmasks what went missing. As a general motif of "Mexican history is American history", Mexicanos tells us that Mexican-Americans have always been here and an integral part of the U.S., from colonial exploration to the Chicano movement today. My favorite chapter has been on the role of Chicanos during WWII and their enlistment as an instrument of social mobility, which contributed to the emergence of the Chicano middle class.

[Oscar Pena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This remarkable book talks about the anthropology of Mexicans in what is now the United States. What I loved the most about his book is the way it was written since I felt like I was reading a story rather than an informative book.

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will enlighten those who have not taken a Chicano Studies course. Gonzales delves into every facet of the Mexicans experience in the Southwest from colonialism to the present, providing a more complete and clearer insight of the Mexicanos impact of the Southwest.

[Jesus Ceballos · Rating 2 out of 5]

A trite book that focuses on urbanization of immigrants and ignores the rural agriculture life of immigrants

[Kiki Unhinged · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eye-opening

[K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eye-opening