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Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America
Informed by his life journey, former US ambassador to Mexico, US senator, and US secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar shares his unrivaled vantage on the US-Mexico relationship, the border and migration crisis, and his belief that the diversity of our many communities and cultures is America's superpower.
Like many Mexican Americans, the Salazars have deep roots in the American Southwest. They have ranched and farmed along the banks of the Rio Grande for more than four centuries, dating back to the founding of the nation's oldest capital, Santa Fe, when the entire Southwest was part of Spain or Mexico. They have called the San Luis Valley home since the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848.
Ken's innate connection to our nation's land, water, and people led him from his family ranch to law school and ultimately to the pinnacles of power in Colorado and Washington.
Borderlands traces the relationship of the United States and Mexico from its early days to the present. Framed by Donald Trump's attacks on American diversity, Ken recounts the early conflicts between our two countries; the treaties that created our modern and broken border; the political malpractice of both major US parties where it concerns migration and the border; and the necessity to fight for an inclusive and united America .
Told through personal stories from childhood to his time in Washington and Mexico City, Ken asks us to
- What does it mean to be a US citizen?
- In a nation of immigrants, who counts as an American?
- If the diversity of our many communities and cultures is America's superpower, why is it being forsaken?
- How do we catalyze a movement to preserve and strengthen our democracy—one that recognizes the richness of American diversity as our nation's enduring strength?
Borderlands is a clarion call for a different way forward, one that unites North America instead of divides it. It invites you to come and see the prairies, deserts, and mountains, and feel the history and culture of our peoples. Come and meet your neighbors. Come and witness the strength of American diversity for yourself.
Includes a note from the author.
Like many Mexican Americans, the Salazars have deep roots in the American Southwest. They have ranched and farmed along the banks of the Rio Grande for more than four centuries, dating back to the founding of the nation's oldest capital, Santa Fe, when the entire Southwest was part of Spain or Mexico. They have called the San Luis Valley home since the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848.
Ken's innate connection to our nation's land, water, and people led him from his family ranch to law school and ultimately to the pinnacles of power in Colorado and Washington.
Borderlands traces the relationship of the United States and Mexico from its early days to the present. Framed by Donald Trump's attacks on American diversity, Ken recounts the early conflicts between our two countries; the treaties that created our modern and broken border; the political malpractice of both major US parties where it concerns migration and the border; and the necessity to fight for an inclusive and united America .
Told through personal stories from childhood to his time in Washington and Mexico City, Ken asks us to
- What does it mean to be a US citizen?
- In a nation of immigrants, who counts as an American?
- If the diversity of our many communities and cultures is America's superpower, why is it being forsaken?
- How do we catalyze a movement to preserve and strengthen our democracy—one that recognizes the richness of American diversity as our nation's enduring strength?
Borderlands is a clarion call for a different way forward, one that unites North America instead of divides it. It invites you to come and see the prairies, deserts, and mountains, and feel the history and culture of our peoples. Come and meet your neighbors. Come and witness the strength of American diversity for yourself.
Includes a note from the author.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
One of my goals this year was to read more nonfiction, and the universe must have heard me because I've been lucky enough to work with Ken Salazar and represent his brilliant book in my day job!
Generally speaking, my favorite kind of nonfiction is when it reads like a novel. I want the narrative arc and the conflict and resolution. Borderlands offers that up in the form of Salazar's life story and journey throughout his political career, including some behind-the-scenes moments between him and Obama, Biden, and the former President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Threaded throughout are keen insights into how we've positioned and dealt with immigration and the border, the power and necessity of diversity and inclusion in America, and what it looks like and what it will take to build an immigration strategy that actually works.
Would highly recommend if you're looking for more nonfic or are interested in politics, specifically with a focus on immigration.
Generally speaking, my favorite kind of nonfiction is when it reads like a novel. I want the narrative arc and the conflict and resolution. Borderlands offers that up in the form of Salazar's life story and journey throughout his political career, including some behind-the-scenes moments between him and Obama, Biden, and the former President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Threaded throughout are keen insights into how we've positioned and dealt with immigration and the border, the power and necessity of diversity and inclusion in America, and what it looks like and what it will take to build an immigration strategy that actually works.
Would highly recommend if you're looking for more nonfic or are interested in politics, specifically with a focus on immigration.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Got an advance copy from the publisher (thanks BenBella!). I'm a fan of some political memoirs (President Obama's, maybe not some of the other dry ones) and honestly this wasn't just that. It included so many beautiful descriptions and stories of the author growing up in Colorado, stories of humanity, and it really transported you to all the places he's been and things he's seen. Plus, there is some juicy political stuff that is also so eye opening and helpful as we all live together through some wild times in our country. Definitely recommend!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews