Mexican Americans/American Mexicans: From Conquistadors to Chicanos

by Matt Meier, Feliciano Ribera

In the years since the first edition of this important study was published, the changes in the Mexican American community in the United States have been great indeed. This extensively revised edition-with a new title-includes expanded chapters on these new developments of the recent the Chicano Movimiento of the late sixties and seventies; their considerable political and economic achievements; improvements in immigration law; the creative explosion in literature and the fine arts; the increased role of Chicanas; the rise and decline of four great leaders-César Chávez, "Corky" Gonzales, Reies López Tijerina, and José Angel Gutiérrez. An extensive account of the pre-Columbian world and the impact of the early Spanish explorers and settlers takes note of new findings and interpretations.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Seb Go · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with the early colonization by Spain and even the early civilizations that inhabited the areas before Spain, but ends with the turning of American society into a slightly more Mexican American tolerant one the previously scene. The Mexican American struggles started with severance from Spain, wars of reforms, annexation of Mexican lands to the US, the settling of Mexicans in a new country, oppression from the Anglo's and the slow climb back to equality from a second class citizen view point to a more politically and socioeconomic equality. This journey characterized in a single book has accounts from historical documents such as census bureaus and historical archives that paints a more vivid image across three distinct areas with a heavy Mexican American culture. I enjoyed this book thoroughly because it showed me a whole new world of my culture, but the constant blame that was set upon the Anglo-Americans was too much for me. By placing a cultural problem upon another race entirely is absurd, even though in the book it was not to a large extent.

[Marta Jonsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative. Starts with the Spanish conquistadors to current times. I was eye opening to see that stereotypes that are used today in this climate of zero tolerance for immigrants especially from Mexico were started in the 1900’s. We have never treated Mexicans here with any respect. And I’m not so sure Mexico has treated those citizens of theirs who make the trip north with any greater regard. Mexico doesn’t educate the “Indios” and abuses them with low paying jobs just like we do here. Muchachas serve a purpose for higher income households. They don’t want to pay them anymore and need them to remain uneducated.

[Chantilly Patiño · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's a very in depth look into the history of Mexican Americans, from pre-colonial times to modern day Mexican Americans. Examinations of historic battles and the changing political and social landscapes of Mexico and the U.S. are given in order to demonstrate past and modern thinking of Chicanos, Mexicans and Americans (U.S.). It's very well written and definitely more interesting than the average text book, but still a slow read for those who aren't used to this kind of text. It's a virtual treasure trove of information though, for anyone interested in Mexican American history and (to a lesser extent) culture.