Review Detail

What worked: Accurate portrayal of Mexican American history that isn't white-washed. As someone who shares Mexican heritage, it wasn't until my Chicano Studies class at the university that I found a part of my history that wasn't in any of my classroom school books. I'm excited that others can learn the other part of Mexican American history that hasn't been taught until now. Knowledge is power.

This non-fiction book is a must-read. The author starts with the first colonizations from Spain and then ends with the last administration's policy of deportations. But it's much more than that.

There are so many parts of history that once were silenced but now are shown. The Mexican Repatriation Act in 1930 where anyone who fit the Mexican profile, regardless if they were US citizens or not, was rounded up and shipped to Mexico. Ethnic Cleansing. Eugenics. In 1850, how the California state legislature voted to deny voting and citizenship rights to Californians of Native ancestry. The 'truth' of the Alamo.

As a former bilingual teacher, this book would have supplemented the materials I had from my Chicano Studies classes. I also strongly feel this book should be included in the history curriculum on Mexican Americans. Knowing our history helps us not to repeat the wrongs of the past.

Powerful, insightful non-fiction book that shares the true story of the Mexican American experience. Highly recommend.