Notable Latino Americans: A Biographical Dictionary [Hardcover]

Matt S. Meier (Author), Conchita Franco Serri (Author), Richard A. Garcia (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313291055 | ISBN-13: 978-0313291050 | Publication Date: May 30, 1997

U.S. Latinos have made important contributions to American society, and this biographical dictionary is devoted to celebrating those contributions. All 127 men and women profiled in this work have immigrated to or been born in the United States and have made major contributions to American life and culture. Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, and others of Spanish, South American, Central American and Caribbean heritage--more than one-third of them women--represent 35 fields of endeavor and all 50 states. From historical figures to the newest sports champion, figure-skater Rudy Galindo, this work provides profiles of both prominent and important but less-familiar people who have made significant contributions in their fields. Many of those profiled can be found in no other biographical source. A selection of photos complements the text. All biographies have been written by experts in their ethnic fields. Those profiled range widely from distinguished scientists to sports stars, from actors to activists, from businesswomen to political personalities, from literary luminaries to labor organizers. All are potential role models for young men and women, and many have overcome extreme odds to succeed. These colorfully written, substantive biographies detail their subjects' goals, struggles, and commitments to success and to their ethnic communities. Among the 127 people profiled are: Nobel Prize-winning scientist Luis Alvarez; Treasurer of the United States Romana Acosta Banuelos; actor/composer/activist Ruben Blades; classical dancer Fernando Bujones; baseball player Jose Canseco; U.S. Secretary of Education Lauro Cavazos Jr.; writer Sandra Cisneros; fashion designer Oscar de la Renta; U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart; teacher Jaime Escalante; composer/singer Gloria Estefan; tennis players Gigi Fernandez and Mary Joe Fernandez; playwright Maria Fornes; U.S. Men's 1996 Figure Skating Champion Rudy Galindo; physician/political activist Hector Garcia; Coca-Cola CEO Roberto Goizueta; labor leader Dolores Huerta; U.S. Ambassador Mari-Luci Jaramillo; artist Marisol; civil-rights activist Vilma Socorro Martinez; businessman/politician Jorge Mas Canosa; federal judge Harold Medina; graphic artist Nicholasa Mohr; U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello; astronaut Ellen Ochoa; Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Severo Ochoa; TV personality Geraldo Rivera; U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; educational psychologist George I. Sanchez; newspaper editor Roberto Suarez; women's rights activist/businesswoman Maria Elena Torano-Pantin; New York State Supreme Court Judge Edwin Torres; mystic Teresa Urrea; film producer/director Luis Valdez. For ease of use, the heading of each profile identifies ethnic group, field of endeavor, birthdate and, where appropriate, death date. Each profile concludes with a suggested reading list of books and periodical articles about the subject. An ethnic index, field of endeavor index, and a general index make research easy. This much needed reference work is essential for school and public libraries.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up. Profiles of 127 people who have made important contributions to American society. Included are politicians, writers, musicians, educators, social activists, scientists, and actors?such familiar personalities as Cesar Chavez, Roberto Clemente, Jaime Escalante, and Linda Ronstadt, as well as less-familiar individuals such as author Reinaldo Arenas and Coca-Cola Company CEO Roberto Goizueta. While many Latino heritages are represented, the majority of those included are Mexican American, with Cuban Americans and Puerto Rican Americans the next most-represented groups. The three-to-four page biographies are clear and detailed and often give real insight into the person's life's work. While the focus is on the individual's main field of accomplishment, the authors do not shy away from the personal or controversial. A brief listing of articles and books in English and Spanish follows each entry. Black-and-white portraits, mostly photographs, accompany 27 of the entries. The coverage, especially of contemporary figures, is good. Nevertheless, one can still lament the omission of individuals such as librarian and folklorist Pura Belpre, authors Julia Alvarez and Gary Soto, artist Carmen Lomas Garza, and singer Selena. Appendixes categorize individuals by career and ethnic group. The general index is less useful; e.g., although astronaut Ellen Ochoa has a main entry, there is no listing in the index for either NASA or astronaut; and while there is an index entry for Nobel Prize, it does not refer to every occurrence of the term in the text?even references to Nobel Prize winners are missing. All but three of the women profiled here are also in Notable Hispanic American Women (Gale, 1993), but the broader scope and currency of this work make it a useful companion source. This book also complements Hispanic American Biography (UXL, 1995), which is similar in scope and depth without a significant amount of overlap.?Lauren Mayer, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Well known for his many reference and academic publications concerning Mexican Americans, Meier (North from Mexico, Greenwood, 1990) here offers 127 biographies of men and women of Latino descent who were born in or immigrated to the United States and have made a noteworthy impact. The majority of those profiled are writers, sports figures, actors, or political activists, though some lesser-known personalities in the sciences, education, and the arts are also included. The entries average three pages and generally include a picture and a short bibliography of additional sources. Publications like Richard and Rafael Chabran's The Latino Encyclopedia (Marshall Cavendish, 1995. 6 vols.) provide greater coverage for university and research libraries, but this volume will be of value to public, school, and undergraduate libraries.?Mark L. Grover, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, Ut.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (May 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313291055
• ISBN-13: 978-0313291050
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,514,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.