The Mexico Reader is a vivid and comprehensive guide to muchos Méxicos—the many varied histories and cultures of Mexico. Unparalleled in scope, it covers pre-Columbian times to the present, from the extraordinary power and influence of the Roman Catholic Church to Mexico’s uneven postrevolutionary modernization, from chronic economic and political instability to its rich cultural heritage. Bringing together over eighty selections that include poetry, folklore, photo essays, songs, political cartoons, memoirs, journalism, and scholarly writing, this volume highlights the voices of everyday Mexicans—indigenous peoples, artists, soldiers, priests, peasants, and workers. It also includes pieces by politicians and foreign diplomats; by literary giants Octavio Paz, Gloria Anzaldúa, and Carlos Fuentes; and by and about revolutionary leaders Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. This revised and updated edition features new selections that address twenty-first-century developments, including the rise of narcopolitics, the economic and personal costs of the United States’ mass deportation programs, the political activism of indigenous healers and manufacturing workers, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mexico Reader is an essential resource for travelers, students, and experts alike.

Gilbert M. Joseph is Farnam Professor Emeritus of History and International Studies at Yale University and author, coauthor, and editor of many books, including Mexico’s Once and Future Revolution: Social Upheaval and the Challenge of Rule since the Late Nineteenth Century, also published by Duke University Press.

Timothy J. Henderson was a Distinguished Research Professor of History at Auburn University at Montgomery before retiring in 2021. He is the author of several books on Mexican history.

Acknowledgments  xv
A Note on Style  xvii
Introduction  1
I. The Search for “Lo Mexicano”  11
II. Ancient Civilizations  59
III. Conquest and Colony  89
IV. Trials of the Young Republic  153
V. Revolution  277
VI. Perils of Modernity  403
VII. From the Ruins  499
VIII. The Border and Beyond  595
IX. From the Perfect Dictatorship to a Imperfect Democracy  667
Suggestions for Further Reading  737
Acknowledgment of Copyrights and Sources  747
Index  757