A review by idontkaren
Taking Hold: From Migrant Childhood to Columbia University by Francisco Jiménez

5.0

Picked up the galley version at ALA and read it on the flight home. There is something mesmerizing about how he writes, it's straightforward yet emotional. His work ethic is as impressive as ever. He brings the reader into a volatile time in history, when the Vietnam War leads to riots at Columbia University and when studying Mexican American literature in graduate/doctoral programs is uncommon and even controversial. Luckily, his background as an immigrant and strong ties to his ancestry lead to his involvement in social justice and changing academia for the better. This is a great addition to his memoir series.