A Life Together

An eminent historians biography of one of Mexicos most prominent statesmen, thinkers, and writers Lucas Alamn (17921853) was the most prominent statesman, political economist, and historian in nineteenthcentury Mexico. Alamn served as the central ministerial figure in the national government on three occasions, founded the Conservative Party in the wake of the MexicanAmerican War, and authored the greatest historical work on Mexicos struggle for independence. Though Mexican historiography has painted Alamn as a reactionary, Van Youngs balanced portrait draws upon fifteen years of research to argue that Alamn was a conservative modernizer, whose north star was always economic development and political stability as the means of drawing Mexico into the North Atlantic world of advanced nationstates. Van Young illuminates Alamns contribution to the course of industrialization, advocacy for scientific development, and unerring faith in private property and institutions such as church and army as anchors for social stability, as well as his less commendable views, such as his disdain for popular democracy.