Customer Reviews

Mexicanos: A History of Mexicans in the United States

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Finally, a long awaited balanced, and factually well-researched story of mexican-american history, migration and assimilation. It was very impressive to me the thoughtful, scholarly approach to what has recently become mostly an politically biased field. I was quite impressed and captivated by Professor Gonzales' extensive research, as well as his determination to not be swayed by the "politically correct" versions of this important American story, so often told in a cynical manner. In one segment, Professor Gonzales describes the courage with which Mexicanos fought during world war II to defend a country (the U.S.) that while not always gracious, has afforded Mexicanos, including my entire family, their greatest opportunity ever to advance economically, culturally and educationally. He describes how even though the new immigrants faced many hardships and racism, life in America has always been better than the neglect and corruption they faced in Mexico, throughout history. His approach to the subject beginning with the Spanish exploration in the New World, and extending to modern times has been very helpful indeed. His weakest chapter was the last, when he departs from his disciplined scholarly approach to offer weakly supported opinions. Highly recommended historical work for all interested in American history; and certainly for those looking to research their own historical roots.

Takes the perspective of the Spanish as "civilizers" and Indians as "barbarians" as if Cortez or Columbus wrote it themselves. Gonzalez is a hispanophile to the nth degree and makes no bones about it. The perspective is also one that glorifies the conservative elements in Mexican/Mexican American/Chicana/o politics and denounces those that lean to the center or the left. I would imagine it would be Linda Sanchez' (Los Republicanos) kind of "Hispanic" history.

I have, over the years, grown accustomed to the tedious, tortured analysis of Mexican participation in American life as presented by "scholars" in the field. Here, in an unapologetic and well-documented format, is a work of history portraying a people in their real lives, coping with and struggling through the exigencies of colonial violence, the rise of their own culture as a "mestizo" people, national identity and recognition, and ethnic divisions that result in oppression and injustice. All the while, Manual Gonzales steers his intellectual helm mightily to avoid the victimization tools so handily employed by most other authors who write on this subject.

This is not to say that Gonzales scrapes his pages of any speck of subjectivity, but rather that he admits his own biases (i.e., Indian vs. European influences during Mesitzaje) and bows to them accordingly. The intro and background material point up the tendency of historians to include the preponderant movements of their times (often thought of as "historiography") in their thoughts, observations, and ultimate writings on matters such as the history of Mexican people in their many contexts. Gleaning honest, thoughtful history from more modern works written in the era of the awakening of "La Raza" is in many ways as difficult as finding like veracity in the countervailing writings of Spaniards of the ealier period of conquest. Gonzales seems to master a more clinical, objective strategy, and combined with excellent, creative writing skills, provides a most useful survey indeed.

This is a good well researched history of Mexicans in the U.S. For too long their history was ignored. Now the academic community is starting to catch up to what the Mexicans have accomplished in the U.S. The author did a good job of reviewing available info., and the book is now 20 yrs old, so there's more new info to be used. But this is a good viewpoint. He gets away from the simplistic narrow minded socialist view that mexicans were persecuted. Although they were, as all people were at one time or another. he tries to keep it in perspective and be more realistic. He points out how some problems are created by mexicans themselves. At the time he wrote this book the huge illegal migration to the U.S. was just starting, so he can't be faulted, but he does refuse to say illegal means illegal, and just calls them undocumented. So he does side with illegal immigration, and promoting illegal immigration is a federal crime. But at the time the book was written he worked to make an effort to be as fair and comprehensive as possible.

I had to get this book for my Chicano Studies class and they charge over $30 at the school bookstore. Luckily I found it here for more than half off! It came quickly and in great condition!

The book arrived faster than I had anticipated. Excellent shipping service. The book itself was in great condition as well. I would definitely buy from again.