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keberwick's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book knowing that it would be a special experience. Coming from an international school where I was fortunate enough to learn Spanish, I frequently had homework assignments that involved looking at mexico.cnn.com for articles about the "War on Drugs" or the cartels. I knew that being a journalist in Mexico was incredibly dangerous, and this memoir gives a first hand experience of just how dangerous it really is.
The writing reminded me very much of other novels written by hispanohablantes (Spanish speakers); languid and calm. It didn't try to hurry you along; the writing allowed you to ponder each fact and each of Señor Alfredo's experiences. It was captivating, and the inserts of Spanish were great as they made the writing seem conversational and were very educational for me.
Initially, it was difficult for me to adjust to jumping around chronologically, but I found that the time changes fit in with the narrative as opposed to making it feel disjointed. I seriously loved reading this since it was so informative and taught me a lot about Mexican culture as well as Mexican (and American) history.
The writing reminded me very much of other novels written by hispanohablantes (Spanish speakers); languid and calm. It didn't try to hurry you along; the writing allowed you to ponder each fact and each of Señor Alfredo's experiences. It was captivating, and the inserts of Spanish were great as they made the writing seem conversational and were very educational for me.
Initially, it was difficult for me to adjust to jumping around chronologically, but I found that the time changes fit in with the narrative as opposed to making it feel disjointed. I seriously loved reading this since it was so informative and taught me a lot about Mexican culture as well as Mexican (and American) history.
laweirdgurl's review
3.75
Really interesting and quick read. This is more of a memoir than an actually history of the war on drugs and cartels in Mexico.
maryehavens's review
2.0
This book is my first foray into a look at Mexican politics and I thought it would be interesting to look at it from a more "thrilling" perspective. If I read this book as completely verbatim, there is no way I would let anyone travel to Mexico and I'm surprised that the author is still alive. He seemed to not take threats seriously and then way too seriously. I chalk the flow of the book (which I found to be uneven) to his life of journalism. The book was suddenly sensational, and then dry, and then riveting!! and then political. I'm not even sure I would recommend it to someone but I did find it interesting. Meh?
lizaroo71's review
3.0
Corchado is Mexican born, but grew up primarily in El Paso. When he became a journalist, he made his home in Mexico City. This book covers his reporting on the drug cartels that have taken over Mexico. He goes through the political history of Mexico and explains how it was so easy for the drug cartels to take over. Corruption and payoffs are quite common among politicians, the police, the CIA and everyone that can make a dime.
While I found the information helpful and, at times, fascinating, I found the timeline a bit confusing. Corchado tells his own story, personal and professional, and sometimes it's difficult to discern exactly what year he is writing about at a given time.
A quick read and one that makes me want to seek out more on this topic.
While I found the information helpful and, at times, fascinating, I found the timeline a bit confusing. Corchado tells his own story, personal and professional, and sometimes it's difficult to discern exactly what year he is writing about at a given time.
A quick read and one that makes me want to seek out more on this topic.
stormlightreader's review against another edition
4.0
It's possible this book is a little misleading because going into it, I didn't realise it is more of a memoir with a lot of information on Mexico’s history and culture. This book is told from the POV of a reporter who loves his home country but who is also heartbroken by what is happening to it. He has an unwavering hope that Mexico can rise above the violence of the drug cartels only to be saddened by the reach that the cartels have.
The writing is a little melodramatic at times, so much so that it made me forget I was reading nonfiction at times. Nevertheless, I learned a lot from this book. Corchado writing about his Mexican-American identity and Mexico's history was so interesting. The writing feels a little all over the place, but with nonfiction it doesn't bother me too much. The introductory chapters set out the current problem and the majority of the rest of the book revisits previous encounters that inform the reader of events leading up to those initial chapters. Corchado provides a grim perspective of what it's like to live in Mexico, particularly as a Mexican who is not rich.
The writing is a little melodramatic at times, so much so that it made me forget I was reading nonfiction at times. Nevertheless, I learned a lot from this book. Corchado writing about his Mexican-American identity and Mexico's history was so interesting. The writing feels a little all over the place, but with nonfiction it doesn't bother me too much. The introductory chapters set out the current problem and the majority of the rest of the book revisits previous encounters that inform the reader of events leading up to those initial chapters. Corchado provides a grim perspective of what it's like to live in Mexico, particularly as a Mexican who is not rich.
dasweinz's review
5.0
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Alfredo Corchado's story is fascinating and beautifully written, and he weaves in the history of Mexico and its political parties. I learned a lot from this deeply moving book.
hooliaquoolia's review
4.0
The negative reviews for this one confuse me, perhaps because this book is being mislabeled as a research-heavy narco encyclopedia. This is more of a memoir than a collection of journalism, and the writing is a little melodramatic at times, but I can't think of subject matter more suited to it than the drug wars along the US-Mexico border. Corchado's writing of Mexican-American/mexicamericano identity, history, and culture against the backdrop of the military/political tensions that have spiked along the Rio Grande since the beginning of the century is a breath of fresh air in the current climate. I lived in border regions for years and I can remember a lot of what was mentioned in the book, but from a different vantage point, and it's eye-opening to read about it from someone who was on the front lines. We too easily forget our history on that border and it's fatal to all involved.
beccakatie's review
2.0
While parts of this book, particularly the background information to Mexico and its relationship with the US were interesting, on the whole the book did not grab me. Although Corchado writes about his life and work, and the numerous death threats he receives, it does not seem particularly high stakes. Logically, I know how dangerous his situation is, and now violent the Mexican cartels can be, but the narrative just does not effectively carry it through. It’s just a never ending list of random phone calls or chance meetings in coffee shops, and it seems to jump from one event to another quite abruptly, leaving the reader confuse and disoriented.
brookebuxtonn's review
5.0
Feeding my obsession with Mexico. I am a Mexican American and feel that this book explains exactly how I feel about Mexico.
“Plus I like the sounds of this country, the smell, the contrasts, the colors, the music, the raw feeling. Life. But I don’t have to tell you that.”
“Plus I like the sounds of this country, the smell, the contrasts, the colors, the music, the raw feeling. Life. But I don’t have to tell you that.”