The Course of Mexican History [Paperback]

Michael C. Meyer (Author), the late William L. Sherman (Author), Susan M. Deeds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0195148193 | ISBN-13: 978-0195148190 | Edition: 7

The Course of Mexican History has long been the leading textbook in the Mexican history course market. This seventh edition offers an up-to-date, lively, and engaging survey of Mexican history from pre-Columbian times to the present. Topics covered include pre-Columbian cultures, such as the Incas and the Mayas; life in Mexico under Spanish rule; Mexican-American relations; and Mexico's long struggle to democratize. New to this edition is coverage of the 2000 elections and the first years of Vicente Fox's presidency. Lavishly illustrated throughout, the text features 250 photographs and drawings, and 14 maps for ease of reference. The book is indispensable for students interested in Mexican history, politics, and culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for previous editions

"Easily remains the most useful and reader-friendly introduction to Mexican history in English." --Simon Collier, Vanderbilt University

"Meyer and Sherman have created and constantly updated an excellent text for a history of Mexico course."--Russell Magnaghi, Northern Michigan University

"Still the very best textbook on Mexico--a model of lucidity, brevity and factual reliability."--Franklin W. Knight, Johns Hopkins University

"Without a doubt, this is the best single volume any professor can use as a survey text. My students actually enjoy reading this text. I will always use it." --Jackie Booker, Western Connecticut State University

About the Author

Michael C. Meyer is at University of Arizona. The late William L. Sherman was at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Susan M. Deeds is at Northern Arizona University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 7 edition (October 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195148193
• ISBN-13: 978-0195148190
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Textbook on the Subject Available, September 28, 1999

By 

E. Gartman (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Course of Mexican History (Hardcover)

Meyer and Sherman's classic work is the best starting point for understanding Mexico's rich history. It is easy to read with many illustrations, yet sophisticated and complete. The authors take us from Mexico's early Indian civilizations through the Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest. The Colonial period recieves somewhat brief treatment, but the revolution and early independence period do not. The Porfiriato and Revolution of 1910 are carefully examined,as is the post-1940 era. The authors treat their material with great reverance and are careful with their moral judgements of the many controversial actors.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, a little light on details, October 11, 2002

By 

Monica Wanat "ua1vm" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Course of Mexican History (Paperback)

Overall, this was a good survey of Mexican history. The writing style was easy to read--not as dense as most history text books-- and was informative on more than just facts. This books covers pre-Colombian history, the Conquest, the fight for independence from Spain, and the evolution (and revolutions) that occured after independence. Also, this book goes into more than just historical fact by expressing ideas that spread through the country, cultural changes, and political trends. This is a great place to start learning about Mexico and, with the recommended reading lists at the end of each chapter, a good reference if a person wants more details on a specific subject covered in the book.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Single Volume History, August 1, 2000

By 

John C. Mckee "cmckee6" (Spring TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Course of Mexican History (Hardcover)

This is perhaps the best comprehensive history of Mexico written in English that exists. The authors have been painstaking in their research and provide many, many sources and citations but do not litter the work with a cumbersome academic citation apparatus. Best of all, the provide an annotated bibliography of works in Spanish for the Mexican scholar.

The history of Mexico is astonishingly rich and complex, riven with conflict, religious strife, and fundamental disagreements about constitutionalism, liberalism (small L) and foreign entanglments. It is also a sad story with near constant violence and upheaval. The redeeming feature of the history, and what pulls the story along and saves it from the maudalin, is the stoic character of the mexican people.

This is comprehensive work that deals in turn with society, culture, economics, religion and politics. Being a single volume work, it certainly gives brief treatments of many topics. As a prior reviewer notes, the colonial period is not treated as deeply as others. But then again, it was three hundered years of economic explotation and social subjugation, what is left to say?

This is an excellent work for the Mexican enthusiast, for serious historians as well as for Americans of all persuasions.