Books in English about Mexico
These are my opinions on some books I have read, go back
History/Politics
for other topics please scroll down: Ancient History Fiction based in Mexico Guide Books
“A new time for Mexico” Carlos Fuentes, 1996, ISBN 0-520-21183-9 RRR88
Short and readable, even though Fuentes gets a little bit flowery in places. A good summary of 1994 and it covers stuff before this too. There’s an excellent chapter on the death of Ruben Jaramillo, an important peasant leader in the 1950's. You have to read it to find out how and why he died, but it is not good.
“Bordering on Chaos” Andrew Oppenheimer RRRRR
This is great. The level of corruption he reveals is astounding and it covers in detail the events of 1994. Highly recommended.
"La Capital", Jonathan Kandell, ISBN 0-8050-1267-2 RRRR8
This one is not short, and although it is based around Mexico City it gives you a good overall history of the country. It is readable and covers everything from the Olmecs up to about 1988.
"Maximilian and Juarez", Jasper Ridley, 1992, ISBN 1-84212-150-2 RR888
Always good to know a bit about Juarez since everyone loves him so much. This was a bit of a slog but I got through it and it's definitely one if the more interesting periods of Mexican history.
"The Zapata Reader", RRR88
This is long, but in three parts it is a selection of articles about what has happened, what people thought about it, as well as some writing by Marcos and the declarations from the jungle. Some articles are more interesting than others, and the same information is often repeated, but you don't have to read all of it!
"Ancient kingdoms of mexico" R8888
This covers four cultures, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec and Aztec. It's not an easy read, but stops you lumping everyone together by clearing up the timings and the distinctive elements of each culture.
"The Maya" John Roe, 1966 (but with additions later on), ISBN 0-500-28505-5 R8888
This is old, but apparently still useful. I found it very hard to read. It focuses on findings at the sites and architecture rather than how the Mayans lived.
"Aztec", Gary Jennings ISBN 0-812-52146-3 88888
I haven't read this but my friend Elsa found it too gory and focused on sacrifice and cannibalism, she gave up. Another friend said it gave a good image of life in Aztec times. But remember it's fiction, we don't know for sure that the Aztecs were raging cannibals.
"The old gringo", Carlos Fuentes RRR88
A short novel which gives some idea of what was going on in the north during the revolution.
"Lonely planet" RRR88
The fattest guide book on Mexico. Obviously you need a guide book, but possibly not as much detail as you get in here. Especially since information about restaurants is almost invariably wrong, and why do you need a book to tell you where to eat? You have eyes...
"Rough Guide to Mexico" RRRR8
Thinner than the lonely planet, I prefer this one. It is more inclined to tell you what and where, whilst assuming you can manage to get there yourself.
"Moon handbook Mexico city" RRRRR
My favorite guide to the city with information on some less touristy destinations and a section on day/weekend trips for when you want to get out of the smog. Good information for mountain bikers and climbers.
if you have anything to add or want to submit your own review, please send it to thegurney@gmail.com