Desert Immigrants: The Mexicans of El Paso, 1880-1920

by Mario T. García

García explores the relationship of class, race, and labor in El Paso, documenting  the evolution of work, housing, education, politics, and culture in the Mexican community.  Desert Immigrants makes a significant contribution not only to Chicano and Mexican history, but to the history of immigration and labor and urban studies as well.

Genres: History

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

The strength of the book lies in its analysis of class, race, and labor within the context of Mexican Barrios and Schools.

The weaknesses of the book stem from a lack of historical interpretations in some of the later chapters that read more as descriptive rather than analytical.

Overall, a good read for insight into the economic and demographic development of El Paso in the U.S-Mexico borderlands.

[Lorelei · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF around page 100. This was an interlibrary loan and I had to return it. However, it was a bit dry and hard to absorb. Some interesting historical tidbits, though.