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Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America
“From the ranch to the Senate and the president’s cabinet, Ken lived the American dream and had a career defined by hard work and selfless public service. Borderlands offers every American insight into what our country can be at its best, and how we must overcome divisive politics to solve the hardest challenges we face together.” —Senator Mark Kelly
“Borderlands is a powerful reminder that the story of America cannot be told without the story of the border and the people who live there. Ken Salazar brings dignity, truth, and a reminder that diversity is America’s superpower, to a conversation our country urgently needs.” —Eva Longoria
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.
Through the lens of Ken’s life and extraordinary career in politics, 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 D.C. and Mexico City, Ken asks us to
What does it mean to be a US citizen? In a nation of immigrants, who counts as American? 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.
“Borderlands is a powerful reminder that the story of America cannot be told without the story of the border and the people who live there. Ken Salazar brings dignity, truth, and a reminder that diversity is America’s superpower, to a conversation our country urgently needs.” —Eva Longoria
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.
Through the lens of Ken’s life and extraordinary career in politics, 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 D.C. and Mexico City, Ken asks us to
What does it mean to be a US citizen? In a nation of immigrants, who counts as American? 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.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 17, 2026
I very much enjoyed this book. As someone who grew up in the Valley, although I was on the other side in Del Norte, it did a great job of capturing so much of the spirit and history of the place. I can remember growing up when Ken and John were in DC, and how nice it felt to have people from the Valley representing us.
I also appreciated that he focused on actually getting out and talking to people, and experiencing how things really are. Situating the book in actual places and people instead of just a kind of academic exercise. In the part about getting off the interstate to go to the border and see what is happening, it shows the need for people to understand what the reality of the border is. It seemed to me to be a clear-eyed, thoughtful, not sugar-coated, but still optimistic way of looking at the situation. The consistent message that the diversity of our nation is our strength really resonated with me. It seems so sad and counterproductive not to use our collective strength and talent to build a better country, so it was nice to hear an experienced leader so eloquently and forcefully make that point. I am hopeful that people will take a cue from this book as they look to the future and how this issue is presented to the public. The huge borderlands area of our country and the shared culture we have with Mexico and our collective history aren't going anywhere, we need to embrace it and understand it and use it to our mutual benefit.
I also appreciated that he focused on actually getting out and talking to people, and experiencing how things really are. Situating the book in actual places and people instead of just a kind of academic exercise. In the part about getting off the interstate to go to the border and see what is happening, it shows the need for people to understand what the reality of the border is. It seemed to me to be a clear-eyed, thoughtful, not sugar-coated, but still optimistic way of looking at the situation. The consistent message that the diversity of our nation is our strength really resonated with me. It seems so sad and counterproductive not to use our collective strength and talent to build a better country, so it was nice to hear an experienced leader so eloquently and forcefully make that point. I am hopeful that people will take a cue from this book as they look to the future and how this issue is presented to the public. The huge borderlands area of our country and the shared culture we have with Mexico and our collective history aren't going anywhere, we need to embrace it and understand it and use it to our mutual benefit.
October 17, 2026
I feel like Ken Salazar is a contemporary Coloradoan of mine and we have so many things in common, number one being our love for this state and the San Luis Valley. It was enjoyable reliving the state political scene of the 1980’s and 90’s with him and I found his modern day analysis of the border with Mexico very thoughtful and spot on.
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.
August 11, 2026
Ken Salazar’s interesting memoir covers not only his early life growing up on a ranch in southern Colorado, but mostly his political career. He has served the public in many roles, including attorney general, senator and ambassador to Mexico. During his time in Mexico, Mr. Salazar spent a great deal of time along both the northern and southern borders of Mexico and has expert knowledge of immigration issues.
I often find memoirs to be more like cathartic journals and wonder why they were published. But not this one. Mr. Salazar’s insights are not only timely but fascinating. He is candid and articulate in his portrayals of his colleagues and the US presidents that he has worked with. I also enjoyed reading about his culture and his discussion around the fact that many Mexican Americans did not immigrate here - they were already here when the US gained the territory that now makes up much of the Southwest. The book is very well written and I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
I often find memoirs to be more like cathartic journals and wonder why they were published. But not this one. Mr. Salazar’s insights are not only timely but fascinating. He is candid and articulate in his portrayals of his colleagues and the US presidents that he has worked with. I also enjoyed reading about his culture and his discussion around the fact that many Mexican Americans did not immigrate here - they were already here when the US gained the territory that now makes up much of the Southwest. The book is very well written and I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
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!
August 26, 2026
This was an insightful read that was part autobiography, part American history, part Western hemisphere study, and at the same time a forward looking and critical look at US policy around immigration and the border. While covering all of these topics the book still managed to read smoothly and coherently.
July 31, 2026
quality of writing bot so much, but what he has to say! Wow p.59
P.62 Real change required confronting uncomfortable truths about who held power and how it was used.
i may go back and write the last sentence of every chapter. Makes me want to keep reading. more later!
P.62 Real change required confronting uncomfortable truths about who held power and how it was used.
i may go back and write the last sentence of every chapter. Makes me want to keep reading. more later!
August 7, 2026
The most boring and poorly written book in a long time. It was advertised as a big reveal on Mexico political corruption .
Instead we get a self centered uneventful book all about the author life .
Truly to avoid .
Instead we get a self centered uneventful book all about the author life .
Truly to avoid .
September 5, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book partly because I knew Ken Salazar, when he was Colorado Attorney General and mostly it is a well written book about topics and places that I know well!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews