El Tercer Pais: San Diego & Tijuana: Two Countries, Two Cities, One Community

by Michael S. Malone

Two of the most important cities in North America are so physically close they would touch were they not separated by a wall at the US-Mexico border. That border has been a flashpoint of contention for centuries. And yet, the untold reality in San Diego and Tijuana is that tens of thousands of people cross through that wall in both directions--lawfully--each day, to work, go to school, socialize, and visit "the other side of town." While fights over undocumented immigration and drug trafficking continue in their respective countries, the citizens of these two cities have built a separate peace unmatched anywhere else in the world. El Tercer País tells the story of Tijuana and San Diego for the first time--an unforgettable tale of war and peaceful cooperation, dependency and shared destiny, exploitation and amity. Most of all, it tells the stories of forward-thinking individuals on both sides of the border who have brought the cities together for their mutual benefit. Th is enthralling narrative gives hope for a universal solution to one of this century's most pressing challenges and offers valuable lessons to nations everywhere about creating cross-border, binational partnerships.

413 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2020

About the author

Michael S. Malone is a journalist and author who has been nominated for the Pulitzer price twice for his investigative journalism contributions. He has a regular column Silicon Dreams in Forbes (previosuly Silicon Insider for ABC)


Wikipedia entry

Reviews

[Unleash The Knowledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of the most important cities in North America are so physically close they would touch if not for being separated by a wall at the US-Mexico border.

The sunshine and beautiful beaches of San Diego and the impoverished city of Tijuana are a rock throw away from one another. Considered sister cities. Michael S. Malone dives deep and shares the unforgettable tale of war and peaceful cooperation, dependency and shared destiny, exploration and amity between the two countries, two cities that make up one community.

I was first attracted to this book because I’ve been to both cities. About 6 years ago, I participated in a 2-week excursion to build homes for families in need in Tijuana. We spent time in San Diego between trips. I was able to see firsthand the drastic economic change between the two cities, however, also the loving bond they possess. Heading into the trip, we were told we would have a culture-shock moment - and yes, we did.

This book will allow you to take a similar path as I did to experience both cities. Despite the physical divide, many travel from one city to another on a daily basis for work and business. Michael S. Malone in El Tercer País tells the story of these two cities for the first time.

[Carolyne Zinko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes a look at border relations between the U.S. and Mexico in a fresh, new way, describing the historical, cultural and political forces that have shaped the relationship between San Diego and Tijuana and led to what has been described as "the most dynamic cross-border community in the world." Far from a dry, academic tome, this book is filled with vivid stories of visionary people who helped create the thriving mega-region that San Diego and Tijuana are today. I didn't know Tijuana, population 2 million, is bigger than San Diego and a center of factories making TVs, trucks and medical equipment with high-tech manufacturing plants. Or that Deborah Szekely, the founder of Rancho La Puerta and the Golden Door spa, is the person with whom the binational partnerships started back in the 1930s. Those SENTRI, TSA Precheck and Global Entry passes we use at airports? These electronic passes were originally developed for this very border, to allow hundreds of thousands of commuters a day to cross legally to work, school and more. This book demonstrates the benefits of porous, but securely managed borders. Best of all, it reads like a fiction book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to teach this book to my 12th grade humanities class at a school where we are scant few miles from Tijuana. I'd love more citations and clear references. There are few books that address this region and how it interacts.

[Bruce MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most interesting

A great discussion of the history and growth of the two country, two city common community of San Diego and Tiajuana.