Bordering on Chaos: Mexico's Roller-Coaster Journey Toward Prosperity

by Andrés Oppenheimer

Hailed for its gripping narrative, its insightful analysis, and its informed historical perspective, this book offers a "revealing look at the secret and powerful political society of Mexico, its breakup, and the fallout that we are witnessing today" ("Wall Street Journal"). of photos.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Journalism, Politics

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Andrés Oppenheimer es columnista de The Miami Herald y de El Nuevo Herald. Fue miembro del equipo ganador del Premio Pulitzer, ganador del Premio Ortega y Gasset , ganador del Premio Rey de España, y ganador del Emmy. Es autor de ¡Basta de Historias!, Cuentos Chinos, Saving the Americas y varios otros best-sellers.

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who loves Mexico and wants to peek inside the country's psyche from a political and social slant, this book was recommended to me by the Globe and Mail's former Latin America bureau chief as a MUST READ before I moved down.

Written by the Miami Herald's LatAm bureau head, Oppenheimer works behind-the-scenes angles to what triggered the 1990 fall of the peso and how the Zapatista revolution was the boiling point that started the landslide.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

De pronto son cosas que sabes que pasaron pero luego se nos olvidan de a poco. Y sabiendo lo que hemos vivido como país después de todo esto, es triste pensar que aún tenemos heridas por sanar y poder concentrado que violenta por no ceder.

[Ana Sofia Ferrara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! Read it for a class about Mexican politics. The style is much like journalism... bubbly and exciting. Full of first hand facts. I wonder how much of it is biased though, or how much bits of truth had to be modified, hidden, etc. because big politicians are mentioned. And in Mexico you are dead if you make their shit public.
Historical value...???

[Brit Ta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I am not a fan of everything Oppenheimer writes, I thought this book was great. It is perfect for a crash course in Mexican Politics. He weaves together a variety of social, economic and political aspects with many details and a sense of humor. I especially liked the information on Subcommandante Marcos and how NAFTA has affected many Mexicans.

[Jesús Orduña · Rating 3 out of 5]

More than the view of a reporter or a journalist, it is the modern photography of the Psychology of the Mexican population.

[Kay Giddens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still worth reading twenty years after publication. Would love to know what he now thinks of Mexico's struggle toward democracy.

[Rajat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latin America is probably known for its picturesque views and culture, but it is definitely famous for its drugs and cyclical debt crisis. The LatinAm country discussed here is Mexico and the political conditions presaging its currency crisis of 1994. This book is especially relevant now for its neatly outlines how Mexico bent over backwards to push the NAFTA through for its benefit, and how the Clinton Administration subdued its own economic machinery that warned of an impending crisis just to be able to add the NAFTA as a feather to the hat. In the end, as the peso declined, America and the IMF had to lead one of the biggest rescues in global history by pumping in over $50Bn into the country.

[Laura Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nunca pense que me iba a gustar un libro asi pero la verdad estuve muy picada. Esta super interesante toda la informacion que tiene el libro del gobierno y de la corrupcion que paso con el PRI y en todo lo de los zapatistas en 1994. El libro avanza rapido entonces no me aburri tanto. Aprendi muchas cosas y esta escrito de una manera muy buena que hace que fluya mucho. Al final me aburri y sufri en las ultimas 50 paginas pero aparte de esto todo lo demas si estuvo interesante. Si quieren saber cosas de la politica leanlo porque tiene mucho chisme.

[Odette · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/5
Probably one of the best books I've ever read.
Every Mexican should read it.
It shows the reality of our country.
Every person should read it too, regardless of your nationality.
This is a history book in a form of a story with information that history books do not show you. ever.

[Georgina Rivero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es literal un crash course on Mexican politics, I LOVED IT

[Jeronimo Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that narrates Mexico’s shady politics in an easily comprehensible manner.

[Gaston Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant historically accurate documentation of Mexico's political history in the late 1900s. The novel feels like a story that keeps readers hooked and entertained.

[Alejandro Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente. Indispensable crónica de los 90s en México. Primer libro en meses que leo de a cinco o seis horas al día, en las plazas de Mérida. La única falla es su teoría sobre el asesinato de Ruiz Massieu, pone todas las piezas del rompecabezas, pero se va con una solución no muy creíble. Impactante descripci{on de la escena guerrillera en México en los 70s, que pocos autores tocan.

[Danny Guzmán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una visión profunda en un lenguaje sencillo para cualquier interesado en el clima político de las elecciones de 1994 en México. Un vistazo a las múltiples caras de la moneda y los motivos reales de por qué se hizo lo que se hizo. Además de un amplio contexto que explica, y hasta irrito punto justifica, el comportamiento de los mexicanos.


México más mexicano el del centro, el norte se parece Estados Unidos y el sur a Centroamérica.

[Gus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometime in 1992 or 1993, Mexican President Carlos Salinas calls a group of rich, super rich, supporters to a cena (dinner). Among of those there, one of the richest men in the world...well not to spoil it...it was a shakedown. Mexico at its best

[Krissy]

recommended by international finance professor (for our class trip to mexico). forgot his name because i was not a huge fan // ie. i'm hesitant to follow his literature recommendation..

[Guilherme]

Kind of losing touch with it... A good book, but I may have had enough of it half of the way thru.

[Fran G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting, I wish I owned it cause I'd read it again. Totally worth my time.

[Chi Chi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and well written book about the politics of Mexico in the mid '90s. I'm embarassed as to how much I didn't know beforehand, but glad that I know now.

[Alma]

shame on Salinas....such an in depth read....really fascinating

[Laurie Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. Took a while to get used to the style, but very enlightening. Particularly interesting to read while you are in Mexico.

[Lenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will be reading this one again, is shocking how Mexico is currently living the same sad situation and not making any changes to make a better future for it´s people.

[Maria Giacoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya'll hoes need to read this book. It be lit

[Joaquin A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great primer on Mexico during the mid 1990s— Marxist Uprising in Chiapas, Peso Crisis, Zapatistas, and Zedillo

[Steve Van Slyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as Opening Mexico, but still a very worthwhile read for Mexico lovers.