Americanos: Latino Life in the United States [Paperback]

Manuel Monterrey (Author), Carlos Fuentes (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 1999

This spirited bilingual book accomplishes a rare feat--through stirring photographs and rich text, it captures the full spectrum of Latino life in the United States. 230 color & b&w photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bilingual and heavily illustrated, this book is part of a project spearheaded by activist/actor Olmos that includes an HBO documentary and a traveling exhibition starting at the Smithsonian.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This is a beautiful, vibrant coffee-table book; it may also be one of the more socially important books to appear in some time. Americanos forces us (gently) to reevaluate, reconsider, and reestablish the very important fact that Latinos have been an integral part of the history of the U.S. "The face of America should include us," Edward James Olmos asserts in his preface, and it takes but a few moments glancing at these well-rendered photographs to recognize that "face" in all its diversity. Some images will be familiar from the entertainment world; others will strike one more directly: faces we see each day, down the street, down the hall, or right next to us. In his rhythmical and joyful introduction, Carlos Fuentes admonishes us, "All together now, keep your eyes open beyond yourselves, see the margins of the world, where those who are different from us are waiting to demonstrate that they are as human as we." If that bridge into the twenty-first century that politicians enjoy talking about is going to be successfully and intelligently crossed, it would bode well to recognize how important it is for all of us to join in the journey. This is a timely and handsome book, and as contributor David Carrasco says of Latinos, "We are both an accomplished and an unfinished people," and the same could be said of this country and all its promise. Raul Nino --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (April 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316649090
• ISBN-13: 978-0316649094
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,027,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Tapestry of Latino Life in the United States, April 9, 2002

By 

Luis Hernandez (New York, New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Americanos: Latino Life in the United States (Paperback)

As the largest growing ethnic group in the United States, Latinos/Hispanics have made inroads in many fields due to their strength, organization, and family values. Although differences among Latinos are as common as differences in other groups distinguished by a common language root (e.g., Slavs, Arabs, Romance languages speakers, etc.) the common struggle of all nationalities that are found in this classification is the same: success.

Edited by one of the greatest activists and advocates for Latinos all around the world, actor Edward James Olmos, "Americanos: Latino Life in the United States" is a collection of beautiful photographs and stories of Latinos throughout the United States. From Mexican-Americans in California to Puerto Ricans in New York City, Olmos and a team of other editors have produced a book that perfectly and respectfully captures the beauty and realities of Latinos all around. Available in hardbound and paperback editions, "Americanos: Latino Life in the United States" is a must have for Latino/Hispanic Studies students/enthuasists or for anyone who tuly appreciates cultural photography. The book, which was accompanied by a U.S. museum tour of photographs featured in the book, is truly a milestone for a community that has risen from a long sleep and awakened to become the most dynamic and promising group in the Americas.

If I can use two words to describe this book, I would use "moving" and "beautiful." It's a must have book in your library, especially if you're Latino.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Working on "Americanos" was a true labor of love., April 15, 1999

By 

Jimmy Dorantes, Photographer, [e-mail] (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Americanos / Latino Life in the United States (Hardcover)

Having worked with Olmos, Ybarra, and Monterrey and the 29 other photographers like myself was a true labor of love. I am one of the photographers of the Americanos Project. I feel we uncovered a treasure of diversity with in the Latino culture living in the United States. Now this labor of love is available for all to see, study and enjoy. This book is as colorful as the culture itself.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A not to be missed work!, October 17, 1999

By 

Wanda McDonald - See all my reviews

This review is from: Americanos / Latino Life in the United States (Hardcover)

I had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Olmos talk in person about the making of "Americanos" and now have the pleasure of enjoying the book again and again. The photos are hauntingly charming, poignant and vital and I can guarantee they will stay in your heart and mind long after you put the book down.

What "Americanos" has to say about Latinos is so vitally important. Olmos, in his preface, says "...Too often, only one culture of Latino culture is apparent. That is the culture that we see from our car windows, on newscasts, in restaurants and from stadium seats..." "Americanos", however gives us an insider's view, a look into the very heart and soul of our Latino brothers and sisters and reveals a people, in Olmos's words, "...who are diverse in culture, color, ideas and dreams..."