A New Time for Mexico

By Carlos Fuentes

Book Overview

Fuentes's bold and timely study discusses the origins and nature of the tumultuous events that have recently transformed Mexican politics and society. The rebellion in Chiapas, a rash of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374221707
• ISBN13: 9780374221706
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A bright overview of Mexican politics

Carlos Fuentes knows what he wants to say. On this book he combines 'again' Mexican history with current politics in a unique way; his narrative evokes different scenarios. Can Mexico have a new time for development and proserity? Read it and find the answer yourself.

Relevence Then and Now of History

Carlos Fuentes, along with Octavio Paz is considered to be one of the literary giants of contemporary Mexico. Old enough to have lived through the PRI's (Mexico's governing party)stronghold on Mexican politics, Fuentes shares his insights and expounds on such diverse topics as the mythology of Pre-Columbian Gods to modern Christianity, all the while tying everything into an historical description of Mexico and it's ruling party. He touches upon La Malinche and Cortes as the parents of modern Mexico. He discusses NAFTA and the future of Mexico including President Zedillo's influence on Mexico and it's international impact. The reading, at times can become a bit dense and esoteric but for anyone interested in the politics of Mexico, with an historical perspective, will find this essential reading. In order to understand the present and future, a solid understanding of the past is needed, according to Fuentes, as he covers all the major time periods of Mexico's past. This book is especially crucial to understanding the impending changes that may be brought about with the election of the countries first non-PRI president in the countries existence. Fuentes contends that the authoritarian government of modern Mexico is linked to the Aztec administrative structures established centuries ago. His writing style is spellbinding and you feel as though a professor is imparting some of his knowledge. According to Fuentes, we must heed Gellner's warning from his book Reason and Culture. "We cannot escape a contingent , history-bound culture, and we caannot vindicate it either". Fuentes has hopes for democracy in Mexico and just maybe with the demise of the PRI, his dreams, and the Mexican peoples may be realized.

Beautiful and insightful overview of Mexican history

This is a wonderful introduction to Mexican history, from the Conquest to the Zapatistas, from a writer almost more comfortable with poetry than prose. Fuentes is the rare intellectual who also speaks out for justice; he recently called upon the Mexican government to stop the militarization of Chiapas and to hold open peace talks. Every American should know at least as much about Mexico as is in this slim and easy to read volume. Salud!