A History of the Mexican-American People - (From the Vatican Observatory and the Center for Theology and) by Julian Samora & Patricia Vandel Simon

Book Synopsis

When A History of the Mexican-American People was first published in 1977 it was greeted with enthusiasm for its straightforward, objective account of the Mexican-American role in U.S. history. Since that time the text has been used with great success in high school and university courses. This new, revised edition of the book continues the history of Mexican-Americans up to the early 1990s.

Samora covers such topics as the exploration and northward Spanish expansion into what is now the United States, Mexico's independence from Spain, the Treaty of Guaddalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican-American War, the impact of the Mexican Revolution on both sides of the border, and the effect of mass migrations from Mexico to the United States. This edition also contains a revised chapter on Chicano contributions to the art, literature, music, and theater from the mid-1950s through the early 1990s, as well as a new chapter on the religious life of Mexican-Americans.

Review Quotes

"The Mexican-Americans, products of cultural amalgamation over the centuries, have made substantial contributions to the historical and social make-up of the United States, and this work is an objective examination of this role and their ongoing quest for social justice and interaction with North America." --British Bulletin of Publications

About the Author

Julian Samora (1920-1996) was professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Notre Dame. Samora was the author of numerous books including La Raza and Los Mojados, both published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

Patricia Vandel Simon holds a Master of Arts degree from Standford University in Hispanic American and Lusa-Brazilian Studies. She is the researcher/director for a film series on Chicano history for the Multi-Media Productions, Inc., and a frequent contributor to Hispanic American Report.