Another Man's Sombrero: A Conservative Broadcaster's Undercover Journey Across the Mexican Border

by Darrell Ankarlo

Not since the Civil War has America been so divided over such a seemingly unsolvable issue as U.S. immigration policy. The president and congress are at an impasse, while vigilante groups patrol our nation's borders looking for one of the million yearly invaders. Why are 20 million people disregarding America's sovereign borders and laws to come to this country? Popular radio host Darrell Ankarlo follows the lives of several Mexican citizens as they contemplate their existence south of the border, their temptation to sneak into America, and what waits for them here. To understand the issue first-hand, Ankarlo stared down gun barrels, was caught in the middle of a drug-lord showdown, and then wandered the Arizona desert after illegally sneaking back into America. Another Man's Sombrero explores issues raised by these personal stories and offers perspectives-often contradictory-from U.S. citizens.

Genres: Nonfiction

337 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2008

Reviews

[Susana Mendoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished the book in like three days. It is about this conservative reporter whom tries to find the reasons of why so many "illegals" come into this country. I checked it out because I thought it would be interesting to see from an opposite point of view, to learn how to deconstruct it.

I think all in all, he tried to put a humanitarian mask on what is still a very ethnocentric and closedminded view of immigration. He tries to blame Mexico primarily, and those American workers who hire illegal immigrants. He failed to recognize that a lot of reasons that 3rd world countries are lacking economically are merely consequenses of U.S. Actions.

This guy talks about the drug trade, rape, and killing of innocent children as if people chose to live this way.He writes as if many of the mothers and fathers actually have a choice, then he tries to sugar coat it by saying, but I feel for them.

Also, he did not touch at all on Central American, Asian, African immigration.

Its a good book if you want to get pissed off.

[MyChienneLit · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is little more than a published rant and rave about the author's personal feelings against the seemingly unstoppable tide of illegal immigrants into the US from Mexico. Granted, it is well researched with lots of facts and statistics to support his position, yet one is left with the feeling that anyone could find an equal number of supporting arguments for the opposing side if motivated to do so. With less bitter invective and far-reaching hyperbole, the facts would have been much more convincing all on their own. Particularly detracting from the author's credibility is the book's conclusion in which he offers some "solutions" to the problem of illegal immigration. His crazy, far-fetched and unrealistic offerings leave the reader questioning his intelligence and the book's credibility--a shame given the research that preceded it that is all but forgotten in the circus that is the last 5 pages of the conclusion. A waste of time if you are looking for a balanced education on the issue of illegal immigration.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm almost done with this book and it's great. Extremely insightful. You truly get both sides of the situation - the cold hard facts as well as the emotional side. Living here in Arizona, I thought I had a pretty good grasp of the immigration situation, but this book has taught me better. It's actually much more disturbing than I previously thought. I highly recommend this book to every American citizen as a way to fully understand this problem plaguing our country.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK reading. It is amazing how this man can experience things and come to conclusions opposite of others who have experienced the same things. His leaps of logic are astounding. He has a real knack for putting himself in harm's way, and then being shocked, SHOCKED when he has a close shave. The stories of actual conditions on the border are instructive, but when he uses them to reach sweeping conclusions about immigration, he reveals himself as less than objective.

[Janel Atlas · Rating 2 out of 5]

assigned reading for work.