Can anyone recommend a good book on the history and culture of Mexico?

Question

I have become facinated with Mexico I would be thankful if someone here would recomend a book on the history of Mexico that they felt was very helpful.Hoping for a book on Mexico in summary form. Likewise I would like a book on the culture of Mexico, the more modern culture.

Answer 1

Mexico has an extremely complex history, with a variety of important figures and something like 30 different Constitutions (I don't remember the exact number, but it's up there.)

If you want a summary that is brief and concise, believe it or not some travel guides can give you that. One book that has been updated numerous times - so many times that I don't know the current name of it - is called something like "Mexico on $50 a Day". I don't know the exact number of "dollars a day" in the most recent version, but a travel book like that will give you a 15 - 20 page summary of Mexico's history.

If you want to delve deeper and if nobody gives you the name of a specific book, Carlos Fuentes and Octavio Paz are two Mexican authors who have written prolifically on Mexican history and the Mexican mindset; to my knowledge, their books are translated to English, and - if you live in a somewhat populated area - you can probably check them out of your library.

Visiting your local library might be a good option before you purchase a book based on some else's recommendation.

Via Mexico!

• $50 a day! Oh my god... I couldn't find a way to spend that much money per day in Mexico! Accomodation = $5 - $10/night, food = $10//day (if I'm lazy and dont cook), (?)entertainment = $10/day(?) - morphine Nov 10, 2009
• Scratch that, food is more like $5/day - morphine Nov 10, 2009

Answer 2

I think sunshinzmom would have a good answer to this.She seems immersed in Spanish literature of all kinds these days.

Answer 3

Read "Mexico," by Robert Michner.

Answer 4

Barbara Kingsolver's new novel, "The Lacuna," highlights Mexican history during its 1930 through 1950 revolutionary days. It's deliciously illuminating - a truly great read.

You might like to check out the reviews. Her best work yet is the consensus.