Customer Reviews

America Libre

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

AMERICA LIBRE is a thought provoking novel that challenges one to question the extent of loyalty in the face of seemingly misplaced angst. Its fast-paced narrative style makes it a engaging discussion item for reading groups touching upon the topic of societal integration and domestic terrorism. My only peeve is with the lack of glossary for Hispanic slangs used sparingly in the book. Whilst missing, it certainly didn't detract me from enjoying this thriller. Kudos to Raul for a fine debut!

In El Paso, a cop shoots and kills a Latina youth. The Hispanic community in the border city is outraged and rioting occurs. The Texas Governor calls in the National Guard to quell the riots and prevent looting. Shots are fired and twenty-three Latinas are killed.

Across the country there is horror from many quarters and defense of the use of force from others. However, Latinas explode in outrage. In Los Angeles tensions between Hispanics and Anglos are boiling over with every incident and rumor escalating the tension. Wealthy Ramon Garcia creates the La Defensa del Pueblo to protect Hispanics from the Anglo backlash. Unemployed former Army Ranger Manolo "Mano" Suaraz is one of the veterans who enlist over the objection of his frightened wife as he obtains work as a bodyguard. Soon La Defensa del Pueblo begins to ally with local Hispanic gangs. Civil war seems imminent as the government sets up "Quarantine Zones" and internment camps to isolate Hispanics from the general population.

This is an exciting timely tale that makes a strong warning to beware of the fast growing populace turning angry. The case Ramos y Sanchez makes is supported by the potential backlash to the anti-immigration assault and the Judge Sotomeier attacks. Although no exploration into how other races like Asian-Americans and African-Americans, or foreign countries or terrorist groups react to the American racial civil war, fans enjoy Ramos y Sanchez's entertaining but admonitory thriller that avers liberty and libre are the same or else.

Harriet Klausner

When I heard about Mr. Ramos novel, America Libre, my first gut reaction was, "Oh no. Another hum-drum novel." Little did I know that I was about to enter into a reality check of immense proportions. From the onset, Mr. Ramos had me securely hooked by the jawbone. I could not tear myself away from America Libre. Page after page, from start to finish, America Libre is a fascinating story with a delightfully balanced mix of love, struggle, values, history and gripping non-stop action. It opened my eyes to the reality that "this very well could happen in America."

Raul Ramos is the Latino answer to Tom Clancy and "America Libre" is the indisputable proof. I recommend this book wholeheartedly. I look eagerly look forward to the sequel, "El Nuevo Alamo" in 2010.

Truthfully, I wouldn't be at all surprised if this became a major motion picture.

I was sucked into the story about 40 pages in and was unable to put it down. I finished America Libre in two nights. (With a new baby in the house, sleep is at a premium; if my husband had not ripped the book out of my hands the other night, I would have read it straight through till morning). I am eagerly waiting for the second installment. As a poli-sci major I'm a pretty hard sell on military and political thrillers; but I would stack this up against a Uris or Clancy novel. Considering recent immigration laws springing up across the US (Oklahoma and Vermont) and rising public temperatures regarding illegals - all aimed at Latinos; America Libre feels more like historical fact than a possible future. The book feels current and its carefully crafted step-by-step "how to start a revolution" makes it more than believable; and more than a little scary.

This is the kind of book that jumps alive in your hands. It whispers to you of love and compassion, and shrieks at you from the depths of hatred and confusion. In dealing with the immigration issue this book is certainly timely, but I believe its greatest value actually lies in the wonderfully uncomfortable way in which it shatters the over simplification which plagues most of the world's problems - that there is simply good and bad, right and wrong, Latino and Gringo. What a great gift this author has given us in these pages, where innocents become enemies, heroes disappoint and hope kindles in dark places. As much homage as this book pays to the Latino cause, it also beckons to the broader human cause: Let us all be aware of the slippery slope that constitutes our perspectives and judgments. Let us all treat with reverence the complexity of our community. And let us all think twice, even thrice, before we decide our choices. Read it, and most importantly, read it well!

America Libre has a great story line, with excellent characters. I have already given my copy to a friend and have sent other friends to the website to purchase it. To me this book flowed a bit like a Tom Clancy Novel, (which is a huge complement to Raul - since Tom Clancy is one of my favorite authors). The basic conflict comes from a plausible scenario that could stem from current events. The characters are real people that you grow to love and want to learn more about them. As a result, I spent a few late nights ripping through this book to see how Mano & Jo would gain back their freedoms. The ending surprised me which was very enjoyable and as with any great novel I was left with this feeling of, "When does the next novel in this series come out?"

This book is very well-written, and brings a different perspective to the social issue of immigration facing America. For many, this book shows both sides of the issue, and gives a much greater understanding of the problems faced. The characters have great depth, and truly force the reader to empathize with their position in what may be one of the biggest social issues to face the United States in decades. It is also action packed, and will keep your attention until the very end. I am looking forward to the next chapter in this story - would like to see how this fictional version of what may really happen - will play out.

Great reading! Scary subject!



I am a Colombo-Cuban living on the Coast of Texas 20 minutes from Brownsville, a US/Meico border town, and I can see it happening sooner than later. Although enjoyable, it was a scary experience to read about something that is building up and will become non-fiction before too long. I can't wait for the second book of the trilogy!

Bravo Raul Ramos for an inspiring tale of virtue and love against a backdrop of misguided leadership and national confusion.

The current fervor over immigration and the potential for the abuse of power is brought to the forefront in America Libre. The story provides an insight into the disenfranchised of this country, and how one man in his struggle to provide for and protect his family is still willing to confront the tragedy and injustice of bad policy and human cruelty, and inspire a movement of epic proportion. Mano can not turn his head from that which turns his stomach, nor can America. America Libre is a must read to keep fresh in our minds and hearts that love and virtue must outlast selfishness and greed.

The raw action alone makes this book engaging and difficult to put down. Yet it is the character development and perspective it offers that grabs you emotionally. We're quick to take sides on political issues. But this book reminds us that often there is no right and no wrong on the side of an issue - just perceptions, experiences and personal circumstances that draw you one way or the other. I found the topic of the story timely, and the message timeless. While most people will pick up this book for the action, they will walk away with much more.