Orange County: A Personal History

by Gustavo Arellano

Part personal narrative, part cultural history - the true story of the man behind Ask a Mexican! and the incredible place that bore him.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Biography, Humor, Cultural, Race

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2008

About the author

Gustavo Arellano is the author of ¡Ask a Mexican!, a nationally syndicated weekly column published by Orange County's alternative weekly OC Weekly. It was first published in 2004 as a one-time spoof, but it ended up becoming one of the weekly's most popular columns.

Every week, readers would submit their questions based on Mexicans, including their customs, labor issues, and illegal immigration. Arellano responds to these questions in a politically incorrect manner often starting with the words "Dear Gabacho."

On May 1, 2007, Reuters featured the column on its news homepage under the "Oddly Enough" heading.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this can be two books. On the one hand, Gustavo Arellano describe the sordid history of Orange County in his snarky Ask A Mexican tone. He does that okay. You get to learn about the Orange County that is not in the guidebooks nor television shows. The best of these chapters are those in which he describes how Orange County's far-right politics and born-again Christian movement have influenced the rest of the country.

But I didn't buy this book for that part of the book.

I bought this book because I wanted the "personal history." That's the best part. In some sense, I felt like I was reading my story. Arellano intended that. He knows his family's story of migration to and from Mexico will resonate with a lot of Chicanos. The names of the small ranchos change as do the areas they settle in throughout California, Arizona and Texas.

For me, the names don't change. Our mothers -- who share the name -- were both born in El Cargadero, situated in the hills outside of Jerez, Zacatecas. Our mothers emigrated with their families to California in the 1960s. I didn't need to read Orange Countu to know that El Cargadero is a ghost town and most of it's former residents -- well, they might still have homes there -- now are scattered throughout the United States. Most of them live in Orange County, specifically Santa Ana and Anaheim.

Arellano is strongest when he tells the migration story as well as his own experience growing up in Orange County. It's both sincere and comical. It's a story many of us can relate to, especially me.

[Daniel van Voorhis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to simply mark books that I have read, rather than rate them as I find it can be misleading (and lead to speculation about your affinity for particular views) NONETHELESS, Gustavo is one of my favorite guys from my home county- he writes autobiography and social history combined with wit and a healthy dose of fun loving cycnicism (a necessary trait to trudge through our sordid past and sometimes-Stepford present). Tons of books exist on the history of LA, and surprisingly few have been written about the county made by Walt Disney, Televangelists and Big Money. Gustavo Arellano has helped rectify this with his pointed and poignant (self) history.

[India M. Clamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

When one is bathing in nature, and shaded under mellifluous leaves of black oak trees; meeting a literary celebrity of sorts is not anticipated. At the crest of a hill, I came upon a spectacled man with a big stick wearing a crossbody bag. We had a clandestine conversation—in a foreign language with a cadence similar to “Mambo Number 5.” At that moment his face looked familiar and I resolved to return to the research table to discover the identity of the brown multilingual man.

[CatholicBibliophagist · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not counting this one in my 2012 reading challenge because after a while I was just reading every other chapter. I was interested in story of how the author's family came to the United States and their experiences as recent immigrants and how their experiences as Mexican-Americans differed from my family's. I didn't care for the alternate chapters about Orange County -- I got tired of the author's angry, sarcastic tone. My interest picked up a little towards the end where he talks about how he got into journalism. He currently writes a syndicated column called "Ask a Mexican" which spawned a book by the same title.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

In sticking with a citrus theme, I'm going to call Orange County a "Meyer lemon." Unlike the traditional lemon, a Meyer lemon (like this book) is a combination of bitter, sour, and sweet that packs a real punch. Arellano's book does the same thing - a hint of bitter and sour, some sweet parts, and a real hilarious punch. Maybe you have to live or work in or near Orange County to really get the whole book, but I definitely liked the upside down (read: liberal) take on this rock red California island perched next to bluer than blue Los Angeles. I imagined this book pissed many a person off, and that's a good thing.

[Ellen the Herbivore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and maddening history of a very odd place in parallel with his developing his identity as a Mexican-American. The material on the evangelists who consider OC their home base was worth the price of admission.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but had to ding it by one star because of his CONSTANT snotty comments about women's appearances. As he points out, he's no beauty himself. (Maybe that's why he does it?) Some editor should have done him a favor and cut that garbage out -- very distracting and a poor reflection on him.

[Anthony Pignataro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick and readable history of Orange County, told from the perspective of one of the county's finest journalists. It's also Gustavo Arellano's family history, which is intertwined with the county (mostly Anaheim). Its depictions of racism, work and food are colorful and alive. It's a quick, but informative and engaging read. You may not agree with Arellano’s many, Many assertions, but his talents as a writer and observer are undeniable.

And now a disclosure: though I'm not mentioned in the book, I worked with Arellano at the OC Weekly in the early 2000s, and I consider him a good friend. His descriptions of his time at the Weekly are on point–yes, we really did resent him when he first arrived because he worked so damned hard and wrote so many solid stories a week. But we also came around to realize what a wonderful friend and colleague he was. He made us all better journalists and people.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book, and plan on e-mailing the author ( a local, of course!) We know some of the same people, which is fun, and obviously hang around the same hunting grounds. A MUST read for anyone from or interested in Orange County and it's affiliated cities. A witty autobiography, family history of Arellano, as well as dry look at the history of Orange County. Hysterical, and has restaurant recommendations to boot!

[Chi Chi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book that combines a history of one of the more bizarre counties in our country with a personal history of growing up in the county the child of Mexican immigrants.

[Glownthedarc · Rating 2 out of 5]

LAME! Take it from me who LOVES all things Mexican AND reading about local history, this book is a way too drawn out. I forced myself to finish it. I'm selling this on amazon for 1 penny.

[Audra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between an expose, tabloid, and historical narrative. Definitely the juiciest intro to Orange County, and one that included some lesser-known histories of the region.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This hybrid memoir/history from LA journalist Arellano tells the history of his native Orange County through the lens of a first-generation Mexican-American from a very specific village -- El Cargadero, situated in the hills outside of Jerez, Zacatecas. Hundreds of immigrants from that area have settled in Anaheim and surrounding Orange County communities, creating not just a "Mexican" subculture as they struggled for survival and against horrifying discrimination, but a vast extended family that supported each other, but stayed connected to the village through visits and cash infusions. This is, of course, a story that has been repeated hundreds of times across California and America, as people of Mexican heritage integrated with and swelled the populations. Arellano, who became nationally known from his "Ask a Mexican" column for the OC Weekly, alternates his own family's story with his snarky takes on Orange County's political, racial, religious, financial, cultural, and real estate evolution. Very informative, though I could have done without the restaurant recommendations and quippy little blurbs about OC's various towns that interrupt the narrative. Alternatively, I could have used a LOT more of his own personal stuff. What he included felt arms-length and not terribly revealing of his own struggle, leaving the reader with a feeling that he has a different book inside him just waiting to come out.

[David Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Orange County: A Personal History by Gustavo Arellano (Scribner 2008) (979.4) (3407).

I picked up a hardbacked copy of this little volume at my local used book store in Knoxville, Tennessee for $1.50. But I have family in Orange County, California, so my interest was piqued. After reading this, I'm pretty sure I'll never get my money back.

Author Gustavo Arellano shares with the reader that he originally wrote a snarky column for a local weekly alternative paper back home in Orange County. The column was entitled “Ask a Mexican.” He explains that he was able to parlay that column into a full time job at that paper, occasional talk show appearances, and a two-book contract with a national publisher. This is the second book in the deal.

The chapters in Orange County: A Personal History alternate between chapters about the county's history and chapters about how the author, his forebears, and his extended family wound up in Orange County.

According to the Goodreads website, Gustavo Arellano has gone on to write several other titles which have been published variably in English and Espanol.

I therefore am forced to conclude that other readers found this author much more entertaining or informative than I did.

My rating: 5.5/10, finished 12/22/19 (3407).

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Bethia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and almost blisteringly honest historical look at Orange County. You WILL be shocked and horrified by the bigotry and brutality this bastion of conservatives (read: Christians) heaped upon and continues to heap upon people of color and the vibrant Mexican American population in the county.

My one complaint is the breezy and clearly clueless use of sexism by Arellano. I don't think it is always intended as a joke and certainly isn't funny when there is no counterbalance offered. To describe the coeds at Cal State Fullerton as 'so-so' is just juvenile and pointlessly judge-y. Female persons are described by their appearance again and again in the book and I hope Arellano grows up to learn that human beings deserve better than that. I will continue to read his work, however, because he is that smart.

[Tony Mashita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of LA weekly OC cartoons, Ask a Mexican, which was a subtle/humorous lampoon of racism in society. For me driving/working to the OC area was very interesting. I could never get comfortable with the "brand newness" of irvine culture(homes/business parks). I felt there was something phoney and a sense of just smile and let bygones be bygones. The only places that felt authentic were the poor neighborhoods of Santa Ana. Now I know how things came about in this "suburban dreamscape". It didn't just go from farms to corporations overnight. Fascinating/enlightening read of recent history of this area. Thanks Gustavo.

[Ronnie Ursenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both an interesting history of Orange County and the compelling story of Gustavo Arellano and his family's journey into America. Intertwined in such away to reflect on the status of not only the county but also the country as a whole. Told with a sharp humor that takes no prisoners, least of all the author himself. Smart, funny, informative, honest and endearing.

[Stan Pedzick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of Orange County, California and of Gustavo Arellano and his family. An American journey of his people and the general racism that is baked into Orange County.

[Amanda Pontius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic portrait of THE OC BITCH, particularly interesting if you’re from there. Rich with history as well as personal anecdotes from authors upbringing. I knocked off a star for numerous fat shaming comments that don’t age well. we let people get away with a lot more in 2008. Eek.

[Eric Stinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. Chapters alternate between a history of the county and a history of the author, who was born and raised in Orange County. Although the subject matter is somewhat esoteric, he does a convincing job of applying the social trends of Orange County to a national scale.

This was published in 2008, but it feels damn near prophetic 10 years later: immigration is as much a hot-button issue as ever, and the psychological effects of demographic change are perhaps more relevant now than they were then. Arellano navigates these topics incisively and illuminates the reader along the way.

Arellano's writing is crisp, energetic and fun. If you live(d) in Orange County, you'll love this, but even if you have no connection to the area whatsoever, there is a lot to learn and enjoy.

[Mary McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What made Orange County the anti-immigrant ultra-conservative, right wing hotbed it is today? It's perhaps too big a question for one book, so Arellano helpfully gives us two. The first story is an irreverent, mightily refreshing history of Orange County that stands in stark contrast to most of the dry, whitewashed local histories of the region. Arellano tracks the settling of Orange County from its mission and orange grove days to the massive postwar migration, and then traces all its present-day conservatism, fundamentalism, isolationism, and racism right back to its roots. In his hands, Orange County is wittily dissected as postsuburbia, the Ellis Island of the 21st century, and "a petri dish for America's continuing democratic experiment."

But the second story, told in alternating chapters, is the story of the Arellanos in America, from his great-grandfather, chased out of town by a herd of potato-slinging youths to the author himself, and his transformation from geeky OC pocho to politically-conscious and sometimes controversial author of the syndicated column, "Ask a Mexican!"

[Maile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Gustavo's book. He really let you into his family history, and explained Orange County in a way that is outside of the media's perception.

As seems to be typical in life, my favorite thing and least favorite thing were the same. That is that once he got to his own life, he was literally writing about a world twenty minutes from where I grew up. Only two years older than me, Gustavo wrote about a completely different culture than what I knew in Newport. This was amazing and something I enjoyed thoroughly. However, as someone who grew up in a completely different part of Orange County, I felt as though my world wasn't represented properly. Newport is brushed aside as a snobby home of cougars, and Costa Mesa as jealous of Newport. I learned more about Anaheim and the surrounding areas than I'd known previously, but I think for a history of Orange County, I wanted more.

Great memoir of his life and his family. Wonderful information about immigration and culture in a part of Orange County. Could have done with either a lot more, or less history on Orange County itself.

[Cynthia Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book that tells southern California history from a new point of view, that of the oldest non-indigenous settlers of the area who are now, almost three centuries later, the most populous group in Orange County, with years of marginalization in the middle. As with all of Arellano's writing, it is brilliantly satirical at the same time as totally sympathetic to the people and situations he is describing.

It is also fascinating to learn how the people of many "ranchos" or villages of Mexico have moved almost intact to Orange County and settled into close knit neighborhoods. The first generation continues most of the folkways, but subsequent generations move on into the larger community.

It is hard to believe that this kind of writing is coming form a very young man who is in the first generation of his family to finish high school and go on to university and graduate degrees.

Great read for anyone with an interest in regional history or ethnic societal history. And very, very entertaining, too.

[Robert Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

What may get lost about this book is how helpful and thorough Arellano is in describing the internal functionality of immigrant communities, and the identity challenges of a youth cohort that is now arriving into settled adulthood (i.e. thirty-something). By using his personal, family, community experience as the narrative vehicle, you end up learning much more than what an abrastracted, academic description typically offers. There is also a rich description of how his family's re-migrations and economic participations fit into a Southwest meta-history that is centuries old. Arellano pursues his cultural rootedness with a laudable honesty and vulnerability, and is authentically Californian in claiming the identity of both places left and places arrived.

He also takes routine breaks from this fulfilling journey to excoriate the subtle and non-subtle depravity of OC culture, with the abundant wit that is making him famous. Include me among those former locals that found this cathartic.

[AuthorsOnTourLive! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nationally bestselling author and syndicated columnist Gustavo Arellano's new book Orange County: A Personal History, is the hilarious and poignant follow-up to ¡Ask a Mexican!, his critically acclaimed debut. Part personal narrative, part cultural history, Orange County is the outrageous and true story of the man behind the wildly popular and controversial column ¡Ask a Mexican! and the locale that spawned him. It is a tale of growing up in an immigrant enclave in a crime-ridden neighborhood, but also in a promised land, a place that has nourished America's soul and Gustavo's family, both in this country and back in Mexico, for a century.

We met Gustavo Arellano when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to him talk about Orange County: A Personal History here: http://www.authorsontourlive.com/?p=171

[Jim Good · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers the history of Orange County and the Arellano family in alternating chapters. Gustavo started as a political commentary writer part time for the Orange County Weekly, becasme he full time food critic and started the column “Ask a Mexican”. The book covers his family history from the time his great grandfather first crossed into the US until his writing of the book. The historical references to Orange County’s religious, political and ethnic make up are intriging. The gem of the book may be the city by city best restraunts section.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book that tells two stories: The people and things that made an important part of southern California what it is today, and the story of a Hispanic family living in and becoming part of the American culture. I learned a lot of interesting things about Orange County and the people who live there, and I enjoyed reading about a family whose experiences are very similar to mine - change a few names and places, and it could be my story as easily as it is Gustavo's. There are proably many other books covering this territory, but I doubt there are many that are this fun to read.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read covering the personal and somewhat recent history of one man's experience with Orange County. I identify with the Mexican-ness of it, yet I can't wholly identify with it. From a 2nd generation author to a 4th generation reader, the cultural divide is vast, but the understanding of the Orange Curtain, I know all too well. A light read with plenty of interesting substance, but I expected more heft and criticism from the notorious satirist. Good stuff. Looking forward to Taco USA.

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read. The thing about Southern California from an east coast perspective it all seems nice and sunny with great weather, cool movie/sports related stuff, beaches, party scene, etc., but you forget there are these creepy communities like LA, Orange and San Diego counties. The writer goes a little too much on tangents related to Mexico but all in all was a good book and enlightening on all the cities and towns that make up the OC.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at my "hometown" (well, home county) from a Hispanic perspective. He's still a young writer, given to cynicism & snarkiness to establish his "cred", yet there's a lot of good stuff in here. All in all, the weak points are outweighed by the importance of hearing a different take on Orange County & race relations in CA.

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orange County: A Personal History
Authors: Gustavo Arellano
03/25/2009
8:21 AM


This is a great story combining the history of Orange County with a memoir of the author. Arellano is pretty well know in "the OC" for his weekly column "Ask a Mexican" and this book reflects his wit and wisdom as well. I really enjoyed it.