Mexico

In this fascinating thousand year survey of America's controversial and rapidly changing neighbor, a leading expert on Latin America explains how Mexico's present and future flow directly from its past. Going well beyond analyses of recent crises, Mexico is an engrossing, pellucid introduction to the Indian civilization, the harsh rule of the Spaniards, social violence and revolution, and the country's mercurial relationship with the United States up to the present. Jaime Suchlicki indicates that Mexico's turbulent history contains recurring and often contradictory trends. He convincingly describes how that history contributes to Mexico's current and arguably future difficulties. With an engaging style that brings a colorful story to life, the author provides sophisticated insights into the exciting historical development of America's increasingly important trading partner. Mexico contains numerous rare photographs and offers an up-to-date perspective on Mexico of today and tomorrow, including an assessment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its implications for the future of United States-Mexican relations. Upon its initial release, Mexico was hailed by Mario Ojeda Gomez, president of El Colegio de Mexico "as provocative and current. The writing is sharp and the ideas are clear and original. Suchlicki has focused on important aspects of Mexico's history and has explained them with intelligence, selecting what is really significant." And Manuel Suarez Mier of the Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) writes that Suchlicki's book is "objective and appreciative, and will enable readers to better understand Mexico and its behavior. This is a fascinating and timely book.