Customer Reviews

La Capital: The Biography of Mexico City

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a resident of Mexico City, who has studied its history, La Capital by Jonathan Kandell is the finest example of what a history book can be. It reads like a page-turner mystery and the publisher should hang their head in shame that the book has not been reprinted. I'll run out today and buy whatever copies are left in Mexico, to give as gifts in the future.

Anyone at all interested in Mexico should read this book. This book is written in a style ala James Mitchner. It deals with a huge period of time, starting before the time of the Aztecs and moves through to modern times. The author keeps it exciting and accurate. He covers the highlights of Mexico City and because of it's governmental centralization, the Country of Mexico itself, without becoming overly bogged down in detail. If you are a fan of historical novels, this is a book you won't be able to put down.

If you don't like to read history, or you find it boring, this book might spark your interest! Spanning thousands of years but with a great deal of interesting personal detail, La Capital reads like a thriller. An essential guide to anyone who wants to understand what Mexico City is all about and how Mexican culture has evolved to its present state.

Un libro que se lee sin mayor dificultad gracias al lenguaje sencillo pero preciso, y en esto radica la magia del autor que de ese modo nos motiva a continuar. Libre de tecnicismos antropológicos o históricos esta obra es recomendable para todo aquel que desee enterarse sobre México con una visión clara, veraz y hasta divertida.

The best book about Mexico City ever written. Just like Michener's Hawaii. From it's geological conception till the down fall in the 80's when corruption was king. ( Still is ). I wish someone would write a book like this about Havana: Americas First Capital.

This is an amazing account of Mexico City, stretching from the Aztecs to modern times. It's a page turner, reads like a novel but imparts a profound sense of history. I first read it years ago when I was traveling to Mexico City regularly. It gave me an insight and understanding into that enigma of a city that I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. A beautiful and fascinating book.

An exciting and informative pager-turner. Terrific. Kandell brings history to life. An especially important read for anyone planning to visit Mexico City.

I came to order La Capital as a gift as I found the book to be the single BEST book to help someone understand México's grand history. Too bad for my friend that the publisher hasn't reprinted this classic. It's a page-turner that keeps you locked in it's grip for days. Detailed and yet fun - what a book to be out of print! Get the message publisher?

EXCELLENTLY WELL WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED, TO ENCOMPASS 3,000 YEARS OF HISTORY OF NOT ONLY THE CAPITAL CITY OF MEXICO BUT OF HER PEOPLES, CULTURES AND PHILOSOPHY.A MUST FOR MEXICANS AND FOREIGNERS ALIKE WHO THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE

When I finished reading the book I looked up with a sad expression on my face. When my friend saw how sad I was at finishing the book she suggested that I "read it again". I made the mistake of not getting a copy of my own. I have been looking for a copy since then, without results. Do you know where I may find a copy?