Fire and Blood: A History of Mexico

Rating:
Summary: wide in scope but heavy going
Review: A tiresome read; however, the scope was irresistable. On the political spectrum, non-dogmatically right-wing. Biggest annoyance: constantly makes oblique references to uncited sources ("it has often been said that... however..."). Occasional factual inaccuracies, and bizarrely unfounded opinions. For anyone interested in the current situation in Chiapas or the place of the Mayan peoples in Mexico's history, it's almost useless - the author has no interest in these issues and thus almost ignores them (he dismisses the entire Mayan culture as essentially no more than derivative of the Aztec). It's a useful book as a supplement to other, more specialized books (e.g. Hugh Thomas's excellent Conquest of Mexico). I felt I got an extensive overview, from the earliest nomadic peoples to Cortes to Zedillo, but not one upon which I could really depend factually.

Rating:
Summary: Read this book critically, but read it.
Review: Heavy book but an easy read. I have been trying to understand Mexico and reading all I can. The better books have been Conquest by Thomas, Mexico by Krauze and LaCapita by Kandell. Fehrenbach surpasses them all by a factor of two. For a "non-fiction" reader it is a smooth read and chunked full of significant observations and facts that a "Gringo" needs to understand when dealing with Mexico. It is a must read for the business executive working in Mexico as well as the historian trying to understand Mexico's feelings towards the United States.

Rating:
Summary: One of Fehrenbach's best.
Review: Heavy book but an easy read. I have been trying to understand Mexico and reading all I can. The better books have been Conquest by Thomas, Mexico by Krauze and LaCapita by Kandell. Fehrenbach surpasses them all by a factor of two. For a "non-fiction" reader it is a smooth read and chunked full of significant observations and facts that a "Gringo" needs to understand when dealing with Mexico. It is a must read for the business executive working in Mexico as well as the historian trying to understand Mexico's feelings towards the United States.

Rating:
Summary: Mexico is more than tacos and tequila
Review: I knew very little about the real history of Mexico, or the country that became Mexico. If you want to know the origins of the problems and promise that is modern Mexico, then this is the book to read. It is, at its heart, a scholarly work with a lot of information and good references. The author is sympathetic toward the people of Mexico, but also lets the reader know about their weaknesses and foibles. A country with great a great future if only it allows itself to have it, Mexico is important for we Notre Americos to know about.

Rating:
Summary: An inspiring view of Mexican History
Review: Mr. Fehrenbach's almost poetic writting style treats Mexican History as the Odessey of The Americas. One cannot help but feel transported to the places and times described in each chapter. This masterpiece has become a classic among Mexican Americans.

Rating:
Summary: Read this book critically, but read it.
Review: This book is a good introduction to the history of Mexico and is generally pretty readable. It gives a good picture of the complex and difficult history of the country, particularly from the time of the conquest until the mid-twentieth century. I would recommend reading this book because you will learn a lot. However, his view of the treatment of indiginous peoples seems dated and quite unsympathetic. It seems that the author has a particular dislike for some unnamed leftist intellectuals who might sympathize or romaticize the country's indiginous past. He spends far too much time tediously attacking some anonymous group that might insist on the importance of Mexico's Pre-Columbian past as a bunch of foolish romantics. In fact, a major theme of this book is to dispell any myth of Mexico as a country with a real Pre-Columbian heritage. Whether this is true seems debatable. Likewise, he spends an awful lot of time apologizing and excusing actions taken by the various Mexican governments. Having said all that, I still think it's a good introduction to Mexican history. I just recommend that you read it with a critical eye.

Rating:
Summary: wide in scope but heavy going
Review: This is the best history book I have ever read. It captures the Spanish influence on the Nahua (Aztec) people and vividly explains the culture and arts of the Mexican nation. Now I know exactly what Cinco de Mayo and numerous other events really mean to Mexico - and to myself. Only a glossary of Spanish and Nahua terminologies could have improved the book.