Customer Reviews

The People's Guide to Mexico

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been in many places in Mexico, most often traveling alone. I've gone into the Tapo bus station in Mexico City and chosen my destination based on what bus was leaving soonest (Chiapas). I've eaten in Maya, Zapotec, Totonac, and Mixe village kitchens. One Holy Thursday I happened into a Mixe curing ceremony (which included a turkey sacrifice) on the peak of a remote mountain, then joined the indigenous speaking curandera, her client, and the client's mother in a drink of pulque afterwards. I've traveled by every class of bus, top to bottom, day and night. In every case, I have always had a sense of what was happening culturally thanks to Carl and Lorena's book, The People's Guide to Mexico. It is the only book I know of that could prepare one for Mexico. When the men are slaughtering a pig behind the house, while women are kneading masa and washing banana leaves to make tamales for a fiesta; from banana trees to eating cactus paddles; during impromptu living room sing-alongs; or drinking homemade capolin wine; you will not be unprepared. With Carl's illustrated discussion of Mexican hand signals, his introduction to Mexican cooking, and references to Mexican music you will be an insider.

None of my adventures duplicates any of Carl's accounts. Like the best kind of education, Carl and Lorena teach one how to understand Mexican culture in order to use the understanding in new or unusual circumstances, of which Mexico has an endless supply.

Even if you have a Mexican spouse, you need this book. The truth is that one even needs this book to understand what is going on in Postville, Iowa these days.

Seriously Folks, No One Does It Better

IMAGINE traveling through one of the most diverse, unexpected, richly "other worldly", impossibly deliciously colorful ancient lands over a period of decades, meeting countless interesting people, tasting the exquisite complexity of the subtle, nuanced and flavorful true Mexican food, being swept away by the powerful Mexican culture, history, customs and all from the comfort of your own reading chair.

Carl and Lorena do just that in this, their 13th revised and updated edition as they share a life-long love relationship with Mexico and its people. You are served an insider's vision and experience of Mexico that is authoritative, practical, adventurous, beyond helpful, exciting and above all else, REAL. No superficial tourist hype or rigid travel itinerary, "The People's Guide To Mexico" is rather a vicarious total immersion experience that has earned them a huge and loyal following. I have six previous editions of this work and have shared countless copies with friends over the last 30 years...THIS BOOK IS THAT GOOD!

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I recall laying in a sleeping bag in a tent in 1981 after a day of trout fishing on the Cache Le Poudre River in Colorado with my father reading out loud for hours many of the human, delightful and sometimes HYSTERICAL, anecdotes from this book. He too had traveled in Mexico extensively and appreciated PGM's eye and voice and the gentle, deft sometimes wry imagery Carl's writing evokes.

Also check out their other excellent titles: "The People's Guide to Backpacking, Boating & Camping in Mexico", "The People's Guide to RV Camping in Mexico", "The Tour Express Insider's Guide to Mexico", "The On & Off the Road Cookbook".

So forget every cliché you have heard about our neighbor to the south and discover why they say, ""WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE!!"

Bravo, Carl & Lorena y que le vaya bien!

Having traveled around Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Baja by bus, camioneta, bicycle, and foot, I was amused by the authors' insight.

But Mexico is DANGEROUS, and this book wishfully and flatly denies it. I and other Mexiphiles that I traveled/consorted with are survivors of violent muggings. One, a Mexican-American who went to Mexico City for back surgery, was kidnapped (and miraculously, released alive after three harrowing days). YMMV. Thugs know you're unarmed and carrying what to them is serious cash, or that you are a woman with no recourse.

This book has a strong following among those who have yet to meet with danger. There is just no getting through to these industrial-strength deniers. I stayed with some in an expat colony (read "trailer park") in south Baja. They vaunt this book for telling it like it is but they rarely venture beyond their fortified perimeter.

For a realistic, balanced perspective, at least glance at the country info sheet for Mexico on the State Department's travel site. Try The Daughters of Juarez for insight about the police, if you don't have enough of your own already. Google for "CNN kidnappings."

And Mexico is no longer as cheap as the authors pretend: Mexico's economy has reached the trillion-dollar mark due to trade opening up via customs unions such as NAFTA. Prices are generally rising because more of the people are prosperous and are spending more. Some were left behind, and here's hoping you don't encounter any of those at gunpoint. (In Guadalajara, expect high U.S. prices on everything.)

This is good for exploring backpackers (as opposed to vacationers who just stay put in a pricey resort), but more caution and funds are needed than the authors let on.

UPDATE: In the latest edition, they open their chapter on safety by stating that personal crime stories outlive actual conditions by years. Then they "prove" that the U.S. is more dangerous than Mexico by quoting books published in 1908 and 1931! Hypocrisy.

There is an undercurrent of anti-Americanism throughout. No surprise, I guess, considering the title.

An example of the carefully-crafted sentences in the safety chapter: "In fact, statistics show that you are more likely to be the victim of violent crime while in the United States than in Mexico." But "in fact" they don't cite any statistics. They don't even name their source(s). They don't explain that violent crimes commonly go unreported in Mexico for a variety of reasons and ergo aren't reflected in any statistics. I asked a priest why they didn't report a robbery of the rectory ("Please don't say anything!"). They didn't want the newspaper advertising them as a lucrative target. A woman who tries to report an assault is humiliated in front of male officers and/or a waiting room full of people who are there to report other crimes. Many locals dismiss the notion of reporting a crime to the police as futile; even if they report it, it doesn't get entered and tracked in a computer system. Statistics are often scrubbed when reported to higher-ups to make it appear that everything's fine.

I would cite more but the guidelines limit what one can quote in these reviews. But read between the lines in that safety chapter for some ominous pearls (just one more quote): "Whenever a situation gets uncomfortable, weird, or alarming, don't hesitate to leave." That's good, actionable advice because it's often not too late to leave. Read that chapter critically.

It actually is a fun book-- lots of odd information that I like to have-- but for my trip, it was more fun info than useful info--
So, if you're looking for information al la hippie era backpack/how to do..... it's great.

This is one of the best and most comprehensive books I have seen about travelling in Mexico. It is full of interesting cultural facts, points about etiquette, and even how best to haggle with vendors without insulting anyone. It was recommended by our University's Study Abroad Director and was well worth the investment. Would advise anyone going to Mexico to buy this book and study it well.

I have now bought five copies of this book over thirty years. I never get tired of reading this wonderful blessing of a book.
Each reader can concentrate on the sections that do pertain to him or her and should just skip the sections that don't. In this way, you will actually read it.
Perfect for reading in bite-sized portions.
Great knack for telling funny stories. I LOVE this book, and the people who keep writing it.
P.S.: Now thoroughly up-to-date; get the 2006 edition...websites, use of net, etc., all thoroughly presented.

Sometimes a book can go beyond the limitations of the genre, much as a comedy can reveal deeper truths or music can inspire you to reflect on your life. "The People's Guide to Mexico" transcends the normal limitations of the travel guide to offer deeper truths about life itself to those who wish to experience them.

Few books are so meaningful that one can read them several times and always remain entertained, challenged, and inspired. The cooking section alone is worth the price of the book. I refer to it frequently when cooking Mexican food dishes. But the author's perspective on life, experiences, and advice continue to provide new truths every time I read it.

Some of you are probably thinking I must be nuts to rant and rave about how brilliant a travel guide to Mexico is. I can hear you thinking, "Dude, it's not the Bible. Chill." Just read it. Seriously, give it a shot. I think at worst you will find it a series of entertaining stories about some hippies who lived in Mexico. But I think if you open your mind to the deeper truths it offers, it will be worth it.

I try when I write reviews to give readers the positive and negatives of whatever I'm reviewing to make the review as helpful, accurate, and balanced as possible. Of this particular book, I can't think of any criticism of it at all. That says a lot.

Well written and useful, with information and comments you might not see elsewhere. Sometimes a little more chatty and anecdotal than I'd hope for in a practical guide, and skewed a bit maybe to the backpack and VW Microbus crowd, but it's never dull reading. I would bring this book to Mexico for sure, but I would bring other, more conventional, guides along also.

Incredibly resourceful, respectful and fun, this book has everything the traveler will need.
Dont expect listings and rating of restaurants and hotels. thats for YOU to figure out, but if you want a friendly guide to walk you through all the bureocratic madness, possbile illnesses, and how to haggle for a hotel room, this is the right book.
Its really the best ive read in my recent research about traveling and living in Mexico.
I cant really describe it any further because you wont believe me that this book is that amazizng. WELL IT IS> SO BUY IT!

This isn't a review of The People's Guide (Lorena and I are the authors) but a most heartfelt "Gracias!" to all of you who have supported the book for so many years. The "PG" first came out in 1972 -- its survival in tough times and continued popularity are due in large part to the incredible word-of-mouth support of our readers. To those of you who have worn the covers off of many past editions -- we owe a special thank-you.

Lorena and I were asked by Amazon to do an Author's Blog here a few years ago. We started doing that as a way of keeping in touch with you but for reasons that are entirely unknown (and frustrating) Amazon hasn't connected that blog from a previous edition to this latest editon. In other words, the blog is trapped elsewhere on Amazon and we can't access it ourselves.

For that reason we've created our own People's Guide blog, which we call Talk About Mexico. It also has a discussion forum, which will allow us to be in much closer contact with fellow Mexico-philes. I'll try to add live links to this post but if that doesn't work here's the URLs, which you can cut and paste into your web browser.

So... come and visit us and share your own stories and experiences in Mexico. (update: I see that Amazon removed the URL links so if you go to our website at peoplesguide dot com you can find the link to my blog and the Talk About Mexico forums there.)

Saludos!

Carl Franz & Lorena Havens

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