The Mexico Reader: History, Culture, Politics

The Latin America Readers

by Gilbert M. Joseph (Editor), Timothy J. Henderson

The Mexico Reader is a vivid introduction to muchos Méxicos—the many Mexicos, or the many varied histories and cultures that comprise contemporary Mexico. Unparalleled in scope and written for the traveler, student, and expert alike, the collection offers a comprehensive guide to the history and culture of Mexico—including its difficult, uneven modernization; the ways the country has been profoundly shaped not only by Mexicans but also by those outside its borders; and the extraordinary economic, political, and ideological power of the Roman Catholic Church. The book looks at what underlies the chronic instability, violence, and economic turmoil that have characterized periods of Mexico’s history while it also celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage.A diverse collection of more than eighty selections, The Mexico Reader brings together poetry, folklore, fiction, polemics, photoessays, songs, political cartoons, memoirs, satire, and scholarly writing. Many pieces are by Mexicans, and a substantial number appear for the first time in English. Works by Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes are included along with pieces about such well-known figures as the larger-than-life revolutionary leaders Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata; there is also a comminiqué from a more recent rebel, Subcomandante Marcos. At the same time, the book highlights the perspectives of many others—indigenous peoples, women, politicians, patriots, artists, soldiers, rebels, priests, workers, peasants, foreign diplomats, and travelers.
The Mexico Reader explores what it means to be Mexican, tracing the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times through the country’s epic revolution (1910–17) to the present day. The materials relating to the latter half of the twentieth century focus on the contradictions and costs of postrevolutionary modernization, the rise of civil society, and the dynamic cross-cultural zone marked by the two thousand-mile Mexico-U.S. border. The editors have divided the book into several sections organized roughly in chronological order and have provided brief historical contexts for each section. They have also furnished a lengthy list of resources about Mexico, including websites and suggestions for further reading.
Lively and insightful, The Mexico Reader will appeal to all interested in learning about Mexico—aficionados, travelers and scholars.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Latin American History, Spanish Literature, Cultural, Travel

808 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars are not enough. I loved this book, I learned a lot from it, and I officially declare it "the book that made me fall in love with history books".

It's part of a Latin America Readers series, one for each country, and I intend to read all of them.

Amazing work by the Duke University Press.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly revealing compilation of experiences and perspectives on Mexico/Mexicans, from the Mesoamerican period to the 21st. century. Some of my favorite pieces include Guillermo Bonfil Batalla's The Problem of National Culture, Inga Clendinnen's The Cost of Courage in Aztec Society, Alma Guillermoprieto's Mexico City 1992, Roger Bartra's Does It Mean Anything to Be Mexican?, Sor Juana's On Men’s Hypocrisy(an amazing woman who challenged Spain's patriarchy), and Frances Calderón de la Barca's Women and War in Mexico(Soldaderas!)

The most complete representation of the Mexican experience that I have encountered.

[Ben Capuano · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a journey this was! I came into this a completely amateur regarding Mexican history, most of what I had learned about Mexico previously came from an AP comp gov class where Mexico was one of 7 nations we studied in detail regarding their governmental systems. I was responsible for educating the class about the history of Mexico and I put the entire Mexican revolution into one PowerPoint slide—imagine! I was particularly interested in the early existence of the Mexican state, between independence and the Porifirato going in. This account is so much more than I could have possibly imagined it would be!

For such a lengthy tome, it is shockingly readable. The individual essays that make up the collection vary in length, but usually knocking out like 3 before going to bed was a very reasonable goal for me. Apart from a few rather dry and technical essays in the middle, the tone is very much aimed at a wider audience. The introductions to each essay give you all the context you could ever need without giving the whole thing away, and the combined narrative formed by running through the essays chronologically does the rest. I’m already coveting the Peru reader based in the great time I had with this format!

In terms of content, there are clear preferences but still a fair amount of diversity on multiple axes. Primary sources are favored over secondary ones, central Mexico is focused on over the provinces, and previously obscure/untranslated sources are favored over more widely known ones (at least according to the introduction. I would’ve loved to see more attention given to the provinces, particularly the colonial/post independence history of the Californias and Tamaulipas, but the included materials on the popular movements that sprung out of Tehauntepec were a welcome surprise!

It feels very reductive to summarize what I’ve learned to just a few takeaways, but here goes! I now greatly appreciate the transition of the pre-post independence haciendado stranglehold on government, and how much exploitation of Indian labor continues to be the bedrock that the state is built upon. I also was not aware of how much the PRI merely built upon the existing cacique structure of government that ran Mexico before the revolution. Octavio Paz’s meditations on the Mexican national character were deeply moving, and Elena Poniatowska’s coverage of the student protests rivals some of Joan Didion’s best!

Would highly recommend to anyone starting to get interested in Mexican history!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formidable size (755 pages) but the first hundred pages
are surprisingly approachable. Lots of excerpts from informal
writing (letters, diary entries) by people making Mexico's early
recorded history... Many days later, having read, selectively,
about a third of it, I'm satisfied to keep it in mind as a very
useful one-stop reference source. I found the first-person
documents from the last 40 years to be the most gripping part--
student uprising in 1968 through the Zapatistas nearly to the
present, including a lot about the effects of NAFTA.

[Daniel Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating collection of translated readings from 20th century Mexican authors. I was especially interested in the readings written about ordinary people affected by urbanization and globalization - for example, the reading about Ciudad Netzalcoyotl, or about how the urban poor are hidden from the view of tourists.

[Sam Kaskovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is an excellent overview and foundation to the history of Mexico comprised of both primary and secondary sources, most of which are written by Mexicans themselves. However, this is a serious reading endeavor that requires commitment. The book is quite dense, and given its structure as a quasi-chronological anthology, the style and quality of the writing of each chapter can vary significantly. Thus, as a reader it can be difficult to maintain a sense of flow or cohesion throughout since almost each chapter could stand on its own. Additionally, the book ends rather abruptly. Instead of offering some sort of summary with speculation about the country's promising future, it instead ends with a strange and repetitive stream-of-consciousness essay about being a transnational citizen. In conclusion, would recommend this to history buffs, but it is not the most approachable text.

[Ivy Wolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a historian, then reading through primary sources like the ones presented in this book are really important to read. For the average reader, just pass it on by. I included more than just legal documents, correspondence and usual suspect. It also has poetry and literature that really amplify the depth of understanding.

[Samarium Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful. I had a sense of sadness after finishing reading this book. Mostly because this book informed me of the history my parents never taught us growing up but wish I had embraced it at a younger age. I’m glad I read it and have become more familiar with my background.

[Michael]

*partially finished*

I read a portion of this book while in Mexico to try get a better sense of the vibe of the country. Turns out reading old primary sources is pretty boring, and best left to the professionals.

[SuRoXi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of Mexico is very interesting and i was interested in the part of the book that explains Mexican Politics.

[Napajulie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primary source. Very long, I actually tore my book in half. A more thorough index would be helpful. There is an updated version published in 2022.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What you might want to know up to year 2000 - thus this copy was a bit dated. Many of the essays based in modern times were not without current veracity, however.

[Charlie Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Window into the Many "Mexicos"

The Mexico Reader is more than just a book, it’s an experience that celebrates the diversity and complexity of Mexico. Through poetry, chronicles, and essays from iconic and everyday voices, it explores the many “Mexicos” that coexist, from the Conquest to the present day.

What impressed me most was its ability to show how the stories of the past still shape the present. It doesn’t just recount historical facts; it connects deeply with the vibrant and multifaceted essence of the country.

A perfect read for anyone looking to reflect on and fall even more in love with Mexico.

[AskHistorians]

These are a series of country studies that provide a valuable overview of various Latin American countries. They use both primary and secondary sources by eyewitnesses and important scholars respectively to illuminate key periods of each country’s history. They also include a trove of images, maps, and fine art. Each volume focuses on a single country. Currently, Duke has published readers about the Dominican Republic, Chile, Paraguay, Guatemala, Ecuador, Perú, Costa Rica, Cuba, México, Argentina, and Brazil

[Shubha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was traveling in Mexico- served as a great overview of mexican history.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a glimpse into what it means to be Mexican and Mexican American. A brilliant compilation of original essays and texts wonderfully translated.

[Tacowsh1t · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a text book for class

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like approaching a country's history from the documents written about it by its people. One gains a mosaic-like image of that country, clearer, in some ways, than the window approach.

[Remington Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of primary sources translated into english. It is edited well. If you know what you are buying I don't see how anyone could not rate this book 5/5