Customer Reviews
Gripping look at Mexican society, shaky political anaylsis - By: , 23 Jul 1999 
Being a journalist, Oster appeals to the senses gripping the reader with, perhaps slightly sensationalized accounts of average Mexican citizens. This book was meant to give a reader a good idea of how the political situationin Mexico affects the average citizens. However, the bridge between the two is a bit shaky. Oster spends a bit too much time & digs a bit too deepin the personal lives of his subjects while not enough time in analyzation & solutions. However, this book is highly recommended for the reader who wants to get a first-hand look at what lifein Mexico is really like & see all that we take for granted.
excellent presentation of the many facets of Mexican society - By: , 26 Mar 1999 
Oster presents a vivid image of the many facets to Mexican society. He includes elements from all classes & allows a glimpse into the culture by a series of poignant vignettes.
Delightful read. Accurate depiction of Mexican culture. - By: , 13 Oct 1997 As someone who has livedin Mexico for four years, I must say that this book was a great help when I first got here & now that I have had the opportunity to observe this culture first hand, I admire Oster's accuracy. The book is divided into unrelated stories which illustrate aspects of the Mexican scene so it reads like a collection of short stories about fascinating people. Politics here are like a soap opera with incredible twists & turns which are less mysterious to whose who know the history. I think that if Oster's book been read more closely, or believed, many occurences of the last 6 years could have been predicted (eg. the uprisingin Chiapas). I recommend the book to those studying about, workingin or just interestedin Mexico & how things get done.
Delightful read. Accurate depiction of Mexican culture. - By: , 13 Oct 1997 As someone who has livedin Mexico for four years, I must say that this book was a great help when I first got here & now that I have had the opportunity to observe this culture first hand, I admire Oster's accuracy. The book is divided into unrelated stories which illustrate aspects of the Mexican scene so it reads like a collection of short stories about fascinating people. Politics here are like a soap opera with incredible twists & turns which are less mysterious to whose who know the history. I think that if Oster's book been read more closely, or believed, many occurences of the last 6 years could have been predicted (eg. the uprisingin Chiapas). I recommend the book to those studying about, workingin or just interestedin Mexico & how things get done.
